The 2023 Forum of the PNLG with the theme, “Developing Coastal Cities, Fostering Blue Partnership” was hosted by the PNLG and PEMSEA and co-organized by the PNLG Secretariat, PEMSEA Resource Facility (PRF) and Coastal and Ocean Management Institute (COMI) of Xiamen University (XMU). The forum was conducted on 8-11 November 2023 in Xiamen, China. The PNLG Forum was one of the key events of the Xiamen World Ocean Week. 

The Forum was participated by over 130 participants from: 

• 23 members from seven countries, namely: Cambodia, China, Indonesia, Malaysia, Philippines, RO Korea, and Timor Leste,
• 4 PNLG Associate members, namely the First Institute of Oceanography, Ministry of Natural Resources, China; Coastal and Ocean Management Institute (COMI) and Fujian Institute for Sustainable Oceans (FISO) of Xiamen University (XMU), China, and National Ocean Technology Center (NOTC) of the Ministry of Natural Resources, China;
• resource speakers and other invited experts,
• the PNLG Secretariat, and  
• the PRF.
   

The PEMSEA Network of Local Governments (PNLG) Annual Forum 2022 was held in Tangerang Regency, Indonesia, from 26-28 October 2022. The event was hosted by the Tangerang Regency, in coordination with PEMSEA, the Ministry of Environment and Forestry (MoEF) of Indonesia, the Center for Coastal and Marine Resources Studies (CCMRS) of IPB University of Indonesia, and the PNLG Secretariat. It was themed “Strengthening Coastal Resilience Towards Sustainable Local Blue Economies”, and consisted of the following activities:

• a General Assembly where matters related to the PNLG’s governance, policies
and status of operationalization were discussed;

• Technical workshops that facilitated knowledge and experience sharing
among the PNLG members and other key agencies, partners, and programs in
Indonesia;

• Field visits that showcased on-the-ground implementation of the Regency’s
relevant programs and corresponding achievements, particularly on habitat
protection/restoration and alternative livelihoods;

• An exhibit featuring relevant local products and good practices; and

• A series of networking events and cultural presentations. 

Local Government Action Statement in support of the UN SDGs

PNLG Members are already acting – through the implementation of ICM programs – to improve conservation efforts, protect biodiversity, adapt to climate change, reduce pollution, build sustainable communities, but progress too often goes unrecognized and is not measured or reported consistently. Sharing the impact of these ongoing efforts and catalyzing new actions is imperative, in part because of the recently adopted UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), but also as a core objective of the PNLG network.

Real momentum can only occur when national and local governments collaborate – the updated SDS-SEA 2015 and its Implementation Plan 2017-2021 provide the prospect for improving alliances between the two levels of government. The timing is right.

PNLG Members have an enormous opportunity to make even greater impact. The PNLG Members’ actions in four sectors of the SDGs – water and sanitation, sustainable communities, climate, and food security and conservation – brings attention to and quantifies local government commitments and actions, provides investment opportunities and enhances investor confidence and capital flows into sustainable development efforts at the sub-national level.

Setting the Sustainable Development Agenda for the Seas of East Asia beyond 2015

16-21 November 2015

PEMSEA Network of Local Governments (PNLG) Forum 2015

INTRODUCTION

i. The 2015 Annual Forum of PEMSEA Network of Local Governments for Sustainable Coastal Development (PNLG) was held at Pullman Hotel, Da Nang City, Viet Nam, on 20 November 2015. The People’s Committee of Da Nang City hosted the Forum.

ii. The Forum was attended by representatives from 26 of the 40 PNLG Regular Members, namely: Cambodia (Sihanoukville); China (Beihai, Changyi, Dongying, Fangchenggang, Pingtan, Quanzhou, Wenzhou, and Xiamen); Indonesia (Bali Province, Buleleng Regency, and Sukabumi Regency); Japan (Shima), Malaysia (Northern Selangor, Port Klang, and Sepang); Philippines (Bataan, Batangas, Cavite and Guimaras); RO Korea (Ansan and Changwon); Thailand (Chonburi); and Viet Nam (Da Nang, Quang Nam, and Thua Thien Hue). Representatives from the two Associate Members, i.e., First Institute of Oceanography (FIO) of the State Oceanic Administration (SOA) and Coastal and Ocean Management Institute (COMI) of Xiamen University, China, also attended the event.

iii. Representatives from various local governments and institutions participated as observers, including: Cambodia (Kampot, Kep, and Koh Kong); China (State Oceanic Administration); Japan (Obama City and Omura City); Lao PDR (Champasack Province, Saravanne Province, and Sekong Province); Philippines (Bataan Coastal Care Foundation, Inc.); and Timor‐Leste (Dili Municipality and Liquiça Municipality).

iv. The PNLG Secretariat in Xiamen and the PEMSEA Resource Facility (PRF) served as the Secretariat for the forum, while the Department of Natural Resource and Environment of Da Nang City served as the local secretariat.

v. Technical Session Chair and Co‐Chair of East Asian Seas Partnership Council, PEMSEA Resource Facility (PRF) and Southeast Asia Secretariat of ICLEI – Local Governments for Sustainability also participated in the event.

vi. The meeting agenda and full list of participants are attached as Annex 1 and 2.

"Achieving the Aichi Biodiversity Targets, New Satoumi and Vitalization of Coastal Area through Integrated Coastal Management"

Shima City, Mie Prefecture, Japan, 30 September – 2 October 2013

A. INTRODUCTION

i. The 2013 PEMSEA Network of Local Governments for Sustainable Development (PNLG) Forum was held at the Nemuno Sato Hotel and Resort, Shima City, Mie Prefecture, Japan, from 30 September to 2 October 2013. The Shima City Government hosted the Forum with support from the Ocean Policy Research Foundation (OPRF).

ii. The Forum was attended by representatives from the PNLG regular members, namely: Cambodia (Preah Sihanouk); PR China (Dongying, Fangchenggang, Haikou, Laoting, Qinzhou, Quanzhou and Xiamen); Indonesia (Denpasar City, Gianyar Regency, Karangasem Regency, Sukabumi Regency and Tabanan Regency); Japan (Shima); Malaysia (Northern Selangor and Port Klang); Philippines (Bataan, Batangas, Cavite and Guimaras provinces); RO Korea (Changwon City and Shihwa); and Vietnam (Danang and Quang Nam). Representatives from the PNLG associate members, the First Institute of Oceanography (FIO) of the State Oceanic Administration and Coastal and Ocean Management Institute (COMI) of Xiamen University, PR China, were also present.

iii. Representatives from various local governments and various institutions served as observers, including: Cambodia (Kampot, Kep and Koh Kong provinces); China (State Oceanic Administration); Indonesia (Bangli); Japan (Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism; Ministry of Environment; The Nippon Foundation; Tokyo University; Kaiyo Construction Co. Ltd. and Intercom); Lao PDR (Champasak Province); Timor-Leste (Manatuto and Liquica districts and National Directorate for Fisheries and Aquaculture).

iv. The PNLG Secretariat in Xiamen and PEMSEA Resource Facility (PRF) served as the Secretariat for the Meeting, while the Agriculture and Fisheries Department and Satoumi Promotion Project Team of Shima City served as the local secretariat.

v. The meeting agenda and full list of participants are attached as Annex 1 and 2.

The Fourth PEMSEA Network of Local Governments for Sustainable Coastal Development (PNLG) Executive Committee Meeting was held at the Jingmin Central Hotel, Xiamen, PR China, on 27 May 2013. The Xiamen Municipal Government and the PNLG Secretariat hosted the meeting.

The 2012 PEMSEA Network of Local Governments for Sustainable Coastal Development (PNLG) Forum General Assembly was held at the Changwon Hotel, Changwon City, Republic of Korea on 8 July 2012. The Changwon City Government hosted the forum. This publication summarizes the outcome of the forum.

“Achieving Sustainable Blue Economy through Integrated Coastal Management”

Dongying City, Shandong Province, PR China, 25-27 July 2011

A. INTRODUCTION

i. The 2011 PEMSEA Network of Local Governments (PNLG) Forum was held at the Blue Horizon International Hotel, Dongying City, Shandong Province, PR China, from 26 to 27 July 2011. The Dongying Municipal Government hosted the Meeting with support from the State Oceanic Administration of China.

ii. The Forum was attended by representatives from the PNLG members, namely: Cambodia (Preah Sihanouk); China (Dongying; Fangchenggang; Haikou; Laoting; Liangyungang; Quanzhou; Xiamen); Indonesia (Bali Province, Denpasar City; Gianyar Regency; Karangasem Regency; Tabanan Regency; Jakarta Province and Sukabumi Regency); Philippines (Bataan Province and Guimaras Province); RO Korea (Changwon City ); Thailand (Chonburi), and Vietnam (Danang and Thua Thien Hue).

iii. Representatives from various local governments and various institutions served as observers, including:Cambodia (Kep Province); Indonesia (Jembrana Regency; West Java Province); Lao PDR (Saravane; Champasak); China (Panjin Ocean and Fishery Bureau of China; Qingdao Ocean and Fishery Bureau; Yangjiang Ocean and Fishery Bureau; Haiyang Municipal Government; Haiyang Ocean and Fishery Bureau; North China Sea Branch of SOA; Shandong Provincial Department of Oceanic and Fishery; RO Korea (Kyungnam University; Korea Ocean Research and  Development Institute); and Timor Leste (Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries).

iv. The following served as resource speakers for the Forum: Dr. Chua Thia-Eng, Chair, EAS Partnership Council; Mr. Xue Rongjian, Deputy Director, Dongying Municipality Blue Economy Management Office, China; Mr. Lee Tsen Yang, National Parks Board, Singapore; Mr. Wang Shou Qiang, Representative of Dongying ICM Project, Dongying Municipal Government; Dr. Kee-Hyung Hwang, Research Fellow and Director, Korea Maritime Institute; Dr. Zhang Zhaohui, Associate Professor, First Institute of Oceanography, State Oceanic Administration, China.

v. The PNLG Secretariat in Xiamen and PEMSEA Resource Facility (PRF) served as the Secretariat for the Meeting, while the Dongying Ocean and Fishery Bureau served as the local secretariat.

vi. The meeting agenda and full list of participants are attached as Annex 1 and 2.