On June 8, celebrated as both International Ocean Day and China National Ocean Day, Dr. Chua Thia-Eng, PEMSEA Chair Emeritus, was formerly named as one of the ten ” Ocean Figures of China 2015” at a ceremony in Beihai City, PR China. Another international personality awarded was Dr. Awni Behnam, Hon. President of the International Ocean Institute (IOI). Eight other awardees were distinguished ocean personalities from China.  The award acknowledges their outstanding achievements that stimulate people’s inner resonance and strong social influence both in China and worldwide.

 

On September 7, 2016 the PEMSEA Network of Local Governments (PNLG) concluded its three-day Annual Forum hosted by Ansan City, RO Korea. Carrying the theme of Sustainable Future Cities in the Coastal Area through UN SDGs, the event assembled over 100 representatives from nearly 30 local governments in 9 countries. The PNLG continues to grow, adding members from Tangerang (Indonesia), Kampot, Kep and Koh Kong (Cambodia) and Sanya (China).

 

The 3rd Regional Training Workshop on Marine Ecosystem Services Valuation and Spatial Management Tools was held from 22 to 27 August 2016 in Busan, RO Korea. This workshop was organized with support from the Korean Maritime Institute. Thirteen members of the PEMSEA Network of Learning Centers (PNLC) attended the event.

 

 

 

At the East Asian Seas Congress in Danang, Vietnam, PEMSEA launched a small grants program for youth leaders in the region. Proposals came in from China, the Philippines and Indonesia. After a rigorous screening process, the grant was awarded to Enggar Yulia Wardani from Indonesia.

 

 

The project on ASEAN – German Technical Cooperation Sustainable Port Development (SPD) was launched to improve the quality and efficiency of safety, health and environmental (SHE) management of ports in the ASEAN Region. In 2010, PEMSEA signed a Letter of Cooperation with GIZ (German International Cooperation) to jointly assist participating ports.

 

 

 

On October 25, 2016, the United Nations Development Program (UNDP) launched a special publication entitled "Voices of Impact: Speaking for the Global Commons” to commemorate the 25th anniversary of their partnership with the Global Environment Facility (GEF). This publication celebrates success stories from UNDP-GEF’s efforts to protect the environment and improve people’s lives. The stories illustrate positive transformations for local communities, large institutions and the entire planet.

 

 

PEMSEA and the State Oceanic Administration (SOA) of the People’s Republic of China hosted the National MPA Training Workshop 2016 with co-organizers First Institute of Oceanography (FIO) of SOA and North-East Asian Marine Protected Areas Network (NEAMPAN). The China-PEMSEA Center (CPC) and Ocean College Zhejiang University conducted the workshop. More than 120 MPA experts and managers attended the event in Zhoushan, Zhejiang, China on October 24-28, 2016. Participants included leaders from SOA, FIO, Ocean College of Zhejiang University and Ocean and Fishery Bureau of Zhoushan.

The China Daily reports on Xiamen World Ocean Week, where PEMSEA organized the regional workshop on Catalyzing Blue Economy in East Asia. Read the full article here.