7th East Asian Seas (EAS) Ministerial Forum (MF)
PUBLICATION DATE:
Wednesday, January 12, 2022
PUBLICATION TYPE:
Meeting Documents
STATUS:
Only Available Online
DESCRIPTION:
The Seventh East Asian Seas (EAS) Ministerial Forum was held on 02 December 2021 as part of the EAS Congress 2021, which was held through a hybrid mechanism, with country delegations convening in their respective countries and connected via Zoom. The Ministerial Forum was hosted by the Royal Government of Cambodia through the Ministry of Environment, with support from the Provincial Administration of Preah Sihanouk, Cambodia and co-organized with PEMSEA.
Carrying the theme, “Advancing our Sustainable Development Agenda: Road to 2030 for Healthy Ocean, People, and Economies”, the Seventh Ministerial Forum, a) highlighted the progress made by the EAS region through the PEMSEA partnership on the implementation of the region’s common framework of action- the Sustainable Development Strategy for the Seas of East Asia (SDS-SEA); b) recognized the impacts as well as the opportunities to build back stronger and greener from the global pandemic, as well as other persistent and emerging concerns in the region; and c) endorsed the PEMSEA Roadmap to 2030 that is anchored on the SDS-SEA vision, shared commitment to the Blue Economy strategy and on the overall sustainable development agenda.
Eleven countries were represented at the Seventh Ministerial Forum, namely: Cambodia, PR China, DPR Korea, Indonesia, Japan, Lao PDR, Philippines, RO Korea, Singapore, Timor-Leste, and Viet Nam. The event was participated by the PEMSEA Chair Emeritus, Executive Committee members, representatives from the PEMSEA Non-Country Partners, and various PEMSEA networks from the local governments, academe, and youth as observers. Representatives from PEMSEA’s developing partners from the regional and international level, including from UNDP, were also present, together with other observers from PEMSEA collaborators. The PEMSEA Resource Facility served as Secretariat to the Forum.
Following the Seventh Ministerial Forum, a 30-minute virtual Press Conference was held, wherein MOE Minister Say Samal, PEMSEA Council Chair Mr. Arief Yuwono, and PEMSEA Executive Director Ms. Aimee Gonzales served as panelists, together with media representatives from the different PEMSEA member countries.
RELATED PUBLICATIONS
Status, Trends, and Transitions in Coastal and Ocean Governance and Ecosystems Amidst the Triple Planetary Crisis and Emerging Polycrisis
This comprehensive research report was developed to inform the updating of the Sustainable Development Strategy for the Seas of East Asia (SDS-SEA) Implementation Plan 2023-2030 by synthesizing recent global, regional, and national developments. It examines the interconnected threats of the triple planetary crisis - climate change, biodiversity loss, and pollution - as well as the broader polycrisis of economic and geopolitical instability affecting coastal and ocean governance, including in the East Asian Seas region. The report also assesses the status and trends of traditional and emerging blue economy sectors and outlines the importance of strengthened data and monitoring systems, research and development, policy alignment, and innovative financing as strategic priorities to support a resilient and sustainable ocean future. Ultimately, the report supports the development and refinement of future strategies, particularly the updating of the SDS-SEA Implementation Plan to 2030. Overall, the report highlights PEMSEA’s critical role as a regional integrator in East Asia, bridging local priorities with global commitments to address rapidly evolving challenges and emerging opportunities in coastal and ocean governance and development.
Mid-Term Progress Review of the PEMSEA SDS-SEA Implementation Plan 2023-2027
The Mid-Term Progress Review of the PEMSEA SDS-SEA Implementation Plan (IP) 2023-2027 is an evidence-based assessment covering 2023 to June 2025 that aims to evaluate implementation status, identify challenges, and inform the refinement of the plan toward 2030. The review covers key initiatives of PEMSEA Country and Non-Country Partners, networks, collaborators, and the PEMSEA Resource Facility (PRF), in line with the agreed targets of the SDS-SEA IP.Under Component 1 (Effective Governance), the review highlights the strengthening of PEMSEA’s regional mechanisms through increased voluntary contributions, delivery of various capacity-building initiatives, increasing alignment of PEMSEA Country Partners’ policies and programs with global sustainable and ocean-related commitments, and the increasing project portfolio under PRF management. Progress for Component 2 (Healthy Ocean) is characterized by the expansion of Integrated Coastal Management (ICM) along with other area-based integrated management approaches, the support of PRF-managed projects in biodiversity conservation, fisheries management, land-based and sea-based pollution reduction, waste management, and efforts related to disaster risk reduction and climate change adaptation including the launch of the PEMSEA Blue Carbon Program. Regarding Component 3 (Healthy People), the review emphasizes inclusive stakeholder engagement through the new GESI Action Plan and the success of localized sustainable livelihood programs through PRF-managed projects that have improved community resilience. Finally, for Component 4 (Healthy Economies), the review notes the increasing integration of blue economy principles into national strategies and the adoption of the 2024 Xiamen Declaration, which helps facilitate synergistic actions and sustainable blue financing and public-private partnerships.
Sustainable Development Strategy for the Seas of East Asia (SDS-SEA) Implementation Plan 2023-2030
The Sustainable Development Strategy for the Seas of East Asia (SDS-SEA) Updated Implementation Plan 2023-2030 was established to extend the previous plan's timeframe to 2030, ensuring the continued relevance, effectiveness, and long-term sustainability of PEMSEA’s initiatives while enhancing organizational effectiveness, financial sustainability, and operational efficiency. The updating process was driven by several supporting efforts, including the mid-term progress review of the SDS-SEA IP 2023-2027, a review of status and trends in coastal and ocean governance, results from PEMSEA’s Organizational Capacity Assessment (OCA), and consultations with PEMSEA Country and Non-Country Partners. To bolster results-based management, the plan introduces a Strategy Map and Balanced Scorecard (BSC) as high-level tools for leadership to provide overall strategic direction across four key perspectives: Stakeholder Engagement, Programs and Processes, Learning and Growth, and Financial Sustainability. These high-level tools are supported by a detailed Strategic Results Framework (SRF), which guides operational implementation and performance tracking, with results from the SRF feeding upward to systematically inform the BSC and Strategy Map. Overall, the updated plan is focused on seven Strategic Objectives that are periodically monitored via a two-tiered system with support from various partners and networks, ensuring the plan remains fit for purpose and serves as a guide for adaptive management.
Annex 1 of the Mid-Term Progress Review of the PEMSEA SDS-SEA Implementation Plan 2023-2027
The Annex 1 of the Mid-Term Progress Review of the PEMSEA SDS-SEA Implementation Plan (IP) 2023-2027 is the detailed progress report on each target outcomes from 2023 to 2025 and the remaining target actions and outcomes leading to 2030.
PEMSEA NETWORK OF LEARNING CENTERS (PNLC) 2025 Executive Committee Meeting Proceedings
The 2025 PNLC Executive Committee (PNLC EC) Meeting was organized by PNLC Secretariat on 15 September 2025 in Bogor, Indonesia. It was participated by Prof. Yonvitner of the Center for Coastal and Marine Resources Studies of the IPB University (CCMRS-IPB) and President of the PNLC, Dr. Fang Qinhua, Deputy Director of the Coastal and Ocean Management Institute of Xiamen University (COMI-XU) and Vice-President of the PNLC, and Ms. Aimee T. Gonzales, PEMSEA Resource Facility (PRF) Executive Director as members of the PNLC Executive Committee. Ms. Isdahartatie PNLC secretariat Coordinator/ CCMRS-IPB University, Ms. Nancy Bermas from PRF, Francesca Cortez (PRF Secretariat Assistant) and Lusita Meilana, PNLC Secretariat staff. The meeting was chaired by Prof. Yonvitner. Ms. Isdahartati served as the Secretariat of the meeting.
The following supporting documents are annexed to these proceedings:
- Annex 1: Meeting Agenda / Program
- Annex 2: Links to the meeting documents, presentation and photos
- Annex 3: List of participants