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Scaling up ICM Programs
Coastal resource management initiatives continue to evolve as improvements in approaches and capacities are driven primarily by bilateral initiatives. Although some countries have developed and adopted ICM policy and legislation, there is limited capacity to scale up and manage national ICM programs.
Several countries in
the region recognize the need for interagency coordination. The lack of
national policy direction renders interagency coordination limited to
ad-hoc arrangements. ICM efforts face resistance from line agencies for
fear of losing resources and authority. There is seldom an agency or a
ministry with a clear mandate in interagency coordination with respect
to coastal and ocean governance. Progress in ICM program
implementation across the region is slow, resulting in the continuing
degradation and destruction of coastal and marine resources.
Target Scenario / Benefits
Global: Stakeholders in GEF IW projects benefit
from the innovative policies, programs and capacity enhancement
techniques applied in the EAS region, in order to scale up ICM from a
'prototype/demonstration phase', to a full-fledged,
national strategy and program for managing marine and coastal
areas. The formulation and implementation of an ICM Code, for voluntary
use as an international standard for certification/recognition of local
governments implementing ICM, provides the global community with a
means of demonstrating conformance with sustainable development
policies, and/or to seek certification of ICM programs as complying
with International Standards (e.g., ISO 14001 and/or ISO 9001).
Similarly, the PSHEMS Code provides the global maritime and port
industry with a means of demonstrating conformance with sustainable
development policies, and/or to seek certification of their 
PSHEMS as complying with International
Standards (e.g., ISO 14001, ISO 9001, and OSHAS 18001).
Domestic: National policy and institutional reforms, and capacity enhancement/technical assistance programs, target improved local coastal governance and the replication of local ICM efforts. National ICM demonstration sites are influential/supportive in promoting and facilitating local governments to develop ICM programs. National ICM Task Forces, trained in ICM application, provide technical assistance and advice to local governments, thereby facilitating and accelerating ICM coverage of country coastlines, and reversing trends in environmental degradation.
World Bank and PEMSEA to Cooperate on Environment in East Asian Seas
