Danang City, Viet Nam — Danang City is all set to welcome the participants of the 2007 Forum of the PEMSEA Network of Local Governments for Sustainable Coastal Development (PNLG) scheduled for 5-7 September. The theme of the Forum is "Addressing Coastal Security by Investing in Natural and Man-made Hazards Prevention and Management." The forum is expected to serve as an effective venue for sharing experiences, lessons learned and knowledge, particularly in integrating "hazard thinking" into the various aspects of local governance.

 

Timor-Leste — One of the world's youngest nations, Timor-Leste has approximately 750 km of coastline and rich coastal and ocean resources. The country is in the process of rehabilitating and reconstructing its infrastructure, economic structures, and legislative, administrative and governmental institutions, with the primary goals of poverty reduction and equitable and sustainable economic growth.The rebuilding process provides a unique opportunity to start things right in the various aspects of governance by applying best practices and approaches.

Quezon City, Philippines — The development of the State of the Coasts (SOC) reporting system, which is designed to monitor the progress and outcomes of the integrated coastal management (ICM) sites in terms of achieving their sustainable coastal development goals and targets, is one of the key initiatives of PEMSEA under the bridging phase.

Quezon City, Philippines — Following the First EAS Partnership Council Meeting in Manado City, Indonesia, the newly-elected Chairs of the Executive Committee are ready to face the challenge and immediately scheduled their first meeting on 14–15 September at the PEMSEA Office, in Manila, to discuss the decisions and actions required by the EAS Partnership Council.The Executive Committee will address several priority issues including: a) establishment of the PEMSEA Partnership Fund and resource mobilization; b) PEMSEA's legal personality; and c) recruitment of the Executive Director.The Execu

Hanoi, Viet Nam — The Training Workshop on Financing Sustainable Environmental Projects through Public–Private Partnership was held at Fortuna Hotel in Hanoi, Viet Nam, on 27-29 June. Sixty participants from 17 coastal provinces, concerned ministries, state-owned waste management companies and financing institutions attended the workshop.

Quezon City, Philippines — The Marine Science Institute (MSI) of the University of the Philippines organized a Synthesis Panel Meeting on 30 October 2007 to present an overview of the Coral Reef Targeted Research and Capacity Building for Management (CRTR) Program, its history, progress and plans. The CRTR is a leading coral reef research initiative that provides a coordinated approach to credible, factual and scientifically-proven knowledge for improved coral reef management.

Manila, Philippines — The challenges and opportunities in the restoration and management of Manila Bay was the focus of the Kalikasan, Kaunlaran! (KK!) radio program on DZRH-AM last 28 November 2007.Ms. Maricor Ebarvia-Bautista, PEMSEA Technical Officer for Environmental Investment, joined Ms. Marilou Erni, Executive Director, Petron Foundation and President of Bataan Coastal Care Foundation, Inc., and Ms. Eva Matibag, Wastewater Department Manager, Manila Water as panelists of the radio program. Dr.

Cape Town, South Africa — The Global Environment Facility (GEF) and its Implementing Agencies (United Nations Development Programme, United Nations Environment Programme, and the World Bank) hosted the Fourth Biennial International Waters Conference in Cape Town, South Africa from 31 July-3 August.

Quezon City, Philippines — PEMSEA welcomes Dr. Won-Tae Shin, Ms. Kazumi Wakita, Ms. Magnolia Uy and Ms. Jesusa Defensor of the PEMSEA Resource Facility (PRF) Secretariat Services and Ms. Vanessa Bautista as library assistant.Dr. Won-Tae Shin joins PEMSEA as Programme Specialist for the PRF Secretariat Services. Before joining PEMSEA, Dr. Shin worked at the Ministry of Maritime Affairs and Fisheries (MOMAF) in RO Korea. Under MOMAF, Dr. Shin gained extensive working experience with PEMSEA and other UN regional organizations, such as YSLME, NOWPAP and COBSEA.Dr.

Azores, Portugal — PEMSEA participated in the Seminar on Maritime Policies and Globalization in Azores, Portugal from 9 to 10 July. The seminar was one of the series of three seminars organized by the Government of Portugal in preparation for its accession to the Chairmanship of the European Commission.During the session on "Integrated maritime policies are set up from one continent to another," PEMSEA Regional Programme Director Dr.