Toyama, Japan — With the financial support from UNEP Division of Environmental Policy Implementation, NOWPAP successfully convened the Brainstorming Workshop on Marine and Coastal Biodiversity on 17 September 2009 in Toyama, Japan.The workshop was well-attended by experts from all four NOWPAP member states and representatives from NOWPAP partners (COBSEA, PICES and YSLME) as well as other international organizations and projects such as Asia-Pacific Network for Global Change Research (APN), Census of Marine Life (CoML), Helsinki Commission (HELCOM), IUCN (International Union for Conservatio

Hirado, Japan — With the kind financial support offered by the Japanese government, NOWPAP is going to organize its 2010 International Coastal Cleanup (ICC) and Workshop on Marine Litter Management in Hirado City (Japan) from 26 to 28 March 2010.

 

Toyama, Japan — The 14th NOWPAP Intergovernmental Meeting was held from 8 to 10 December 2009 in Toyama, Japan.

 

Representatives of NOWPAP member states (China, Japan, Republic of Korea and Russian Federation) participated in this annual meeting. Representatives from UNEP and from NOWPAP partners (COBSEA, PICES, and YSLME) also attended the meeting.

 

Manila, Philippines — The Secretariat of Convention on Biological Diversity (SCBD) and the Partnerships in Environmental Management for the Seas of East Asia (PEMSEA) have recently signed a Memorandum of Understanding for the purpose of sharing of knowledge, information, tools, and best practices in support of achieving the goals of the CBD, in particular the implementation of the Jakarta Mandate and the programme of work on marine and coastal biological diversity, through Integrated Coastal and Marine Area Management.In the MoU, the two agencies mutually agree to collaborate in activities

Manila, Philippines — The encouraging response of the corporate sector to be an active partner for the rehabilitation of Manila Bay was one of the bright spots identified today in the Closing Ceremony of the International Conference of the East Asian Seas Congress which zoomed in on Partnerships at Work: Local Implementation and Best Practices.Supported by Petron Foundation and organized by the Partnerships in Environmental Management for the Seas of East Asia (PEMSEA), the Public Private Partnerships for the Rehabilitation of Manila Bay: A Corporate Social Responsibility Forum (CSR) Forum

Thailand — Halfway through its two-year implementation, the first project of the UNDP GEF Small Grants Programme and PEMSEA Partnership in Thailand is reaping the benefits within the framework of integrated coastal management (ICM).Initiated in July 2007, the SGP-PEMSEA project involves developing the capacity of communities to implement activities related to protection and sustainable use of marine resources, coastal habitat rehabilitation, and waste management and pollution reduction.

Manila, Philippines — The USAID-funded Philippine Environmental Governance Project (EcoGov) and the Partnerships in Environmental Management for the Seas of East Asia (PEMSEA) have recently signed a Memorandum of Understanding for the purpose of sharing knowledge, information, tools, best practices and resources in support of capacity development and the effective implementation of Executive Order (EO) 533 in the Philippines.

 

Manila, Philippines — The East Asian Seas extend from PR China, the Korean Peninsula and Japan in the north to Indonesia and Timor Leste in the south. Its shores are home to approximately 2 billion people and its waters sustain 30% of the world's coral reefs and 40% of the global fish catch. Sustaining marine and coastal life in the face of rapid development and the threat of climate change has become one of the development priorities for East Asian Countries.

 

Manila, Philippines — MFF convened a workshop on Government and Civil Society Collaboration on Integrated Coastal Management in the Indian Ocean Region workshop, Thursday 25 November, 2009 to present the findings of a Regional Assessment of regional institutions and programmes in the Indian Ocean (2007-2008 updated 2009) and discussed its principal recommendations and proposed concrete actions to enhance cooperation and coordination among governments, between governments and civil society, and between regional organizations in support of governments and civil society collaboration.

Manila, Philippines — Top-rating Philippine AM radio station DZMM will feature the International Year of Biodiversity (IYB) on Sunday, 07 February 2010, 4:30 P.M. at DZMM Teleradyo.The show "Bago 'Yan Ah!" is hosted by Mr. Nelson Lubao and Ms. Ruby Cristobal.ASEAN Centre for Biodiversity (ACB) executive director Rodrigo U. Fuentes will provide an overview of the International Year of Biodiversity - a global celebration with the theme "Biodiversity is life. Biodiversity is our life." He will also discuss the importance of biodiversity and the consequences of its loss.Ms. Angelita P.