Seoul, RO Korea — The Korea International Cooperation Agency (KOICA) announced in June 2010 that five marine and environment related projects in PEMSEA countries, namely Indonesia, Philippines and Viet Nam, have been selected for funding. The announcement was issued after months-long solicitation of the project proposals in the three countries and consequent evaluation. The selected projects are all relevant to the objectives of the SDS-SEA and contribute to its implementation.

Dandong, PR China — Following the signing of the Agreement Recognizing PEMSEA's International Legal Personality in November 2009, the 3rd East Asian Seas Partnership Council Meeting focused its attention on the principles, key features and required processes of PEMSEA's transformation from a project-based operating arrangement to a self-sustaining international organization.

 

Quezon City, Philippines — As part of the Professional Upgrading Program for 2010, PEMSEA welcomes Dr. Le Xuan Tuan and Mr. Nguyen Cong Minh of Viet Nam to the PEMSEA Resource Facility.

 

Quezon City, Philippines — During the East Asian Seas Congress 2009, four workshops under the theme "Natural and Manmade Hazard Prevention and Management," on 23 to 25 November in Manila, Philippines.

 

Dalian, PR China — The Second Annual Meeting of the Yellow Sea MPA Network and Training Workshop on Benthos Survey for Ecosystem-based Management of Coastal Wetlands in the Yellow Sea were held in Dalian and Dandong in China, 5-9 September 2010.

 

Manila, Philippines — Investment, profit and growth rate. In the world of business, where does biodiversity fit in? This question will be answered at the "Business Opportunities in Biodiversity" international conference and exhibition to be held at the Bayview Park Hotel in Manila. The conference will take place on October 8 while the exhibition will be from October 6 to 8. The event aims to raise the business sector's awareness on the values of biodiversity and encourage business to raise its stake on biodiversity conservation.

Manila, Philippines — Business and biodiversity experts from Southeast Asia and Japan gathered at the "Business Opportunities in Biodiversity International Conference and Exhibition" in Manila, Philippines, on 8 October to raise the business sector's awareness on the values of biodiversity and encourage corporations to support conservation initiatives.Organized by the ASEAN Centre for Biodiversity (ACB) in cooperation with the Philippines' Department of Environment and Natural Resources, the European Union and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations, the conference featured discussions a

Jeju, RO Korea — On 1-2 October 2010, NOWPAP International Coastal Cleanup (ICC) campaign and workshop on marine litter were held in Jeju, Republic of Korea. The events were organized by the Ministry of Land, Transport and Maritime Affairs (MLTM), Korea Marine Environment Management Corporation (KOEM) and the Regional Coordinating Unit (RCU) of NOWPAP, or the Northwest Action Plan.

Quezon City, Philippines — "Tired but very fulfilled", was how a member of the delegation from the Vietnam Administration for Seas and Islands (VASI) described how he felt after the study tour to integrated coastal management (ICM) sites in the Philippines last 19-24 September, 2010. With the main objective of learning about practical experiences of local coastal communities in managing the marine and coastal environment, representatives from VASI rolled up their sleeves and (almost) got their feet wet in the Bataan and Cavite ICM sites in the Philippines.

Lao PDR — With about 90 percent of the country within the Mekong River Basin, water is the main resource in Lao PDR — a major socioeconomic and cultural determinant in a country of over 6 million people. Lao PDR has the highest surface water per capita in Asia which is about 55,000 cubic meters but the increasing development activities in the country threatens the sustainable use of water resources.