Nagasaki, Japan — NOWPAP representatives attended the workshop "Introduction to rapid assessment survey methodologies for detecting non-indigenous marine species (NIS)," jointly organized by the North Pacific Marine Science Organization (PICES), the Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission's Sub-Commission for the Western pacific (IOC WESTPAC) and NOWPAP in Nagasaki, Japan, on 8-9 February 2012.

 

 

Yeosu, RO Korea —NOWPAP and the Organizing Committee of Yeosu Expo 2012 have recently signed a contract with regard to the NOWPAP participation in the Expo 2012 Yeosu Korea.

 

 

Vladivostok, Russia — As part of the implementation of the Regional Action Plan on Marine Litter, NOWPAP organized the 2012 International Coastal Cleanup (ICC) and Marine Litter Workshop on 17-18 July in Vladivostok, Russia.

 

 

Changwon, RO Korea — Joining PEMSEA country and non-country partners, NOWPAP participated in the East Asian Seas (EAS) Congress 2012 on 16-20 July in Changwon city, Republic of Korea.

 

NOWPAP representatives attended the Congress plenary sessions and parallel workshops carrying the theme "Building Blue Economy: Strategy, Opportunities and Partnerships in the Seas of East Asia" as well as the Partnership Council meeting and the Ministerial Forum which adopted the Sustainable Development for the Seas of East Asia Implementation Plan (2012-2016).

 

 

 

Changwon City, RO Korea — On 12 July 2012, Ministers from ten Countries of the East Asian Seas (EAS) region signed the Changwon Declaration towards an Ocean-Based Blue Economy: Moving Ahead with the Sustainable Development Strategy for the Seas of East Asia. The signing took place during the 4th Ministerial Forum in Changwon City, RO Korea as part of the East Asian Seas Congress 2012 from 9-13 July.

 

 

Quezon City, Philippines — The Government of the Philippines and the Partnerships in Environmental Management for the Seas of East Asia (PEMSEA) signed an agreement which formalizes the hosting of PEMSEA in the Philippines. The signing occurred last 31 July 2012 at the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) in Pasay City, Philippines.

 

The Agreement was signed by Hon. Albert F. Del Rosario, Secretary of Foreign Affairs and Prof. Raphael P.M. Lotilla, Executive Director of the PEMSEA Resource Facility.

 

 

Beijing, PR China — NOWPAP Marine Environmental Emergency Preparedness and Response Regional Activity Centre (MERRAC) and Data and Information Network Regional Activity Centre (DINRAC) held their Focal Points meetings on 14-18 May and 23-24 May 2012 in Yeosu and Beijing, respectively.

 

At the MERRAC Focal Points Meeting, the following major activities were decided to be carried out for the next two years among other routine tasks:

 

 

IOI joined PEMSEA (Partnerships in Environmental Management for the Seas of East Asia) at the Changwon Exhibition Convention Center (CECO), Changwon City, RO Korea from 9-13th July 2012.

 

 

Manila, Philippines — The Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) expects stronger cooperation with the Partnership in Environmental Management for Seas of East Asia (PEMSEA) as it formalized the location of its international headquarters in the country.

 

In a statement, Environment Secretary Ramon Paje said they are now looking at a closer cooperation with the PEMSEA and all its partners in ensuring the protection and development of marine and coastal resources not only in the Philippines, but in the entire East Asian region.