Today, as we celebrate the inaugural World Oceans Day, PEMSEA joins the international community in recommitting ourselves to the protection of the world's coasts and oceans.

We take part in this commemoration by highlighting the commitment of the East Asian Seas countries to place 20 percent of the region's coastline under an integrated coastal management (ICM) program by 2015. With climate change as the defining issue of our era, the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) 4th Assessment Reports has acknowledged ICM as the most appropriate process to deal with climate change, sea level rise and other current and long-term coastal challenges in an integrated manner. We at PEMSEA will continue to work with all stakeholders in order to implement the Sustainable Development Strategy of the Seas of East Asia (SDS-SEA) that embodies a shared vision among stakeholders towards achieving the sustainable use of coastal and marine natural resources, protection of the ecosystems, protection of life and property of the coastal population and sustaining the benefits provided by marine ecosystems.

Let us take the necessary steps, whether as individuals, organizations, businesses or governments, in promoting the sustainable future of our marine and coastal resources.