Proceedings of the workshop on From Potential to Reality: Business Leadership for a Blue Economy in the Seas of East Asia (EASC2018 Session 6 Workshop 5)
PUBLICATION DATE:
Friday, November 30, 2018
PUBLICATION TYPE:
Meeting Documents
STATUS:
Only Available Online
DESCRIPTION:
Strong collaboration between government and business will be critical for achieving the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), including SDG 14 Life below water. Along with safeguarding the health of coastal ecosystems and communities, achieving the SDGs may open pathways for new opportunities for companies while supporting the health of coastal ecosystems and communities. The potential of effective public-private partnership for coastal and ocean management has been discussed for some time, but the reality of forging concrete, value-added partnerships has, in many cases, remained elusive. Companies can struggle to move beyond mere compliance or approaches that are disconnected from their core business, while public institutions and local governments may wonder how to best engage with the private sector in ways that achieve sustainable development goals while adding value that incentivizes companies to partner.
Organizations like PEMSEA, World Ocean Council, Philippine Business for Environment and IUCN can play a bridging role, supporting the achievement of sustainable development objectives while helping companies to address their challenges related to coasts and oceans.
This session examined the role of business and its needs and expectations for collaborative coastal and ocean management, along with the role of development partners in helping companies to identify and develop practical opportunities supporting the SDGs, blue economy development and local communities. Building on insights from research for a Sustainable Business Roadmap for oceans for the region, participants explored approaches to private sector partnership for blue economy development.
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Proceedings of the Thirty-fourth Expanded East Asian Seas Executive Committee Meeting
The Expanded East Asian Seas (EAS) Executive Committee convened its 34th Executive Committee Meeting on 21 October 2025 online via Zoom. The meeting was attended by EAS Partnership Council Chair Attorney Jonas Leones; Intergovernmental Session Chair Mr. Le Dai Thang; Intergovernmental Session Co-Chair Dr. Xinwei Yu; Technical Session Chair Dr. Suk-Jae Kwon; and Technical Session Co-Chair Dr. Wakita Kazumi. The PEMSEA Resource Facility (PRF), led by Executive Director (ED) Ms. Aimee T. Gonzales, served as Secretariat to the meeting. PEMSEA Country Partners in attendance included national focal points and representatives from Cambodia, China, Indonesia, Japan, Lao PDR, the Philippines, the Republic of Korea, Singapore, Timor-Leste, and Viet Nam. Non-Country Partners present included representatives from the ASEAN Centre for Biodiversity, Ipieca GISEA, Oil Spill Response Limited, National Marine Hazard Mitigation Service, International Center for Environmental Management of Enclosed Coastal Seas (EMECS), PEMSEA Network of Local Governments, and Korea Institute of Ocean Science & Technology, among others. Online observers included staff from the PEMSEA Resource Facility and UNDP.
History of Timor Leste's engagement in PEMSEA
Since joining PEMSEA in 2006 through the signing of the Haikou Partnership Agreement, Timor-Leste has made remarkable progress in advancing sustainable coastal and ocean governance under the Sustainable Development Strategy for the Seas of East Asia (SDS-SEA). Over the years, the country has implemented Integrated Coastal Management (ICM) programs in key municipalities, developed national ocean and coastal policies, and strengthened inter-agency collaboration for marine protection and livelihood enhancement. Through its participation in regional initiatives such as ATSEA and the Marine Plastics ODA Project, Timor-Leste continues to demonstrate strong commitment to ecosystem-based management, blue economy development, and regional cooperation for healthy and resilient seas.
History of Viet Nam's engagement in PEMSEA
Since 1993, Viet Nam has been an active partner in advancing sustainable coastal and ocean governance in the East Asian Seas through PEMSEA. From pioneering Integrated Coastal Management (ICM) in Da Nang to establishing the Viet Nam Administration of Seas and Islands (VASI), the country has institutionalized ICM in national policy and legislation while fostering regional cooperation through leadership roles in PEMSEA bodies and ministerial forums. Viet Nam’s consistent participation in key initiatives and adoption of major regional declarations underscore its strong commitment to blue economy development, marine ecosystem protection, and the long-term implementation of the Sustainable Development Strategy for the Seas of East Asia (SDS-SEA).
History of DPR Korea's Engagement in PEMSEA
Since joining the regional GEF/UNDP/IMO Marine Pollution Prevention in the East Asian Seas (MPP-EAS) project, the DPR Korea has actively advanced Integrated Coastal Management (ICM) through the establishment of the Nampho demonstration site and the National ICM Training Center at Kim Il Sung University. The country has consistently participated in key regional forums, including the East Asian Seas Congresses and Ministerial Forums, adopting major regional declarations and frameworks such as the SDS-SEA and Manila Declaration. Its engagement reflects a sustained commitment to regional cooperation, marine pollution prevention, and sustainable coastal development under PEMSEA.
History of China's Engagement in PEMSEA
Since 1993, China has played a leading role in advancing regional ocean governance and Integrated Coastal Management (ICM) through PEMSEA. From pioneering the first ICM demonstration site in Xiamen to hosting key regional forums and declarations, China has continuously championed sustainable coastal development and blue economy initiatives. Its long-standing commitment under the Sustainable Development Strategy for the Seas of East Asia (SDS-SEA) reflects its vision for a healthy, resilient, and sustainably managed ocean region.