Guimaras Province (located southeast of Panay Island and northwest of Negros Island) has developed the Guimaras Coastal Strategy 2020 as part of its long-term vision of becoming the agri-ecotourism capital of the Western Visayas in the Philippines. Adopted via Resolution No. 160, the Guimaras Coastal Strategy builds on the province’s adoption of Integrated Coastal Management (ICM) as a key approach towards achieving sustainable development of its coastal and marine areas and resources.

 

The National Forum on Scaling Up the Implementation of the Sustainable Development Strategy for the Seas of East Asia (SDS-SEA) and Integrated Coastal Management (ICM) in Thailand was conducted in Chonburi, Thailand, from 24-25 August 2020. The forum also served to conclude the GEF/UNDP/PEMSEA Project on Scaling Up the Implementation of the SDS-SEA in Thailand and discuss opportunities for sustainability and scaling up of project results and good practices.

 

 

MANILA, PHILIPPINES - The PEMSEA Network of Learning Centers (PNLC) recently held a virtual meeting to discuss its accomplishments over the last five years and ways to evolve and strengthen the PNLC as a regional learning network in light of the global pandemic and emerging opportunities. The meeting also aimed to solicit inputs on the draft PNLC Charter that will formalize the institution and sustain and build on its operations.

 

PEMSEA is pleased to announce a youth photo and video competition, supported by the RO Korea Ministry of Fisheries. Both competitions run into next year, with the photo competition finishing first with a deadline of 1 March 2021. More details can be found at https://www.pemsea.org/content/eas-futures-youth-and-ocean.

 

 

Acknowledging the contribution of local governments in the sustainable development of the Seas of East Asia through their Integrated Coastal Management (ICM) programs, PEMSEA recently announced the re-certification and advancement to the next level of certification to selected ICM sites in the region. PEMSEA’s ICM System Certification is designed to review and assess the local governments’ implementation of the ICM system and to recognize their continuous improvement and/or exceptionally good performance.

 

To complement the actions of the High Level Panel for a Sustainable Ocean Economy, PEMSEA is pleased to announce that its National State of Oceans and Coasts (SOC) Reports are now available for downloading.

 

Over 100 delegates from 35 members of the PEMSEA Network of Local Governments (PNLG) across nine countries (China, Cambodia, Indonesia, Japan, Malaysia, Philippines, Thailand, Timor-Leste, and Viet Nam) recently attended a virtual PNLG Forum themed “Marine Eco-civilization, Blue Development.” Delegates from Busan, South Korea were also present as observers, given their interest in applying as a regular member of the network.

 

Partnerships in Environmental Management for the Seas of East Asia (PEMSEA) and Oil Spill Response Limited (OSRL) recently held a virtual signing ceremony for a new Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) that formalizes the renewal of a partnership agreement between the two organizations.