The Sub-commission for the Western Pacific (WESTPAC) of UNESCO's Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission (IOC) has extended the deadline for submission of abstracts for its Ninth International Scientific Symposium to 15 December.

 

 

Bangkok, Thailand — PEMSEA participated at the 34th Pacem in Maribus (Peace in the Oceans) Conference to contribute to discussions on current marine issues and challenges relevant to the event’s theme, "International Forum on Sustainable Governance of the Ocean."

 

 

Quezon City, Philippines — In recognition of his valuable contribution to PEMSEA as a leader and mentor, Dr. Chua Thia-Eng was named as Chair Emeritus of the East Asian Seas Partnership Council during the 13th Executive Committee Meeting held on 28–29 October.

 

 

Guimaras, Philippines — Leadership changes among local governments are inevitable. To ensure that full-fledged support to integrated coastal management (ICM) implementation remains strong, communicating with local chief executives and partners in ICM sites is a continuing process.

 

 

Phan Thiet, Vietnam — Vietnam's National Southern Oil Spill Response Center (NASOS) conducted a workshop on Establishing the Provincial Oil Spill Response Contingency Plan (OCPP) and Provincial Environmental Sensitivity Index Map (ESI-MP) in Phan Thiet City, Binh Thuan province on 5–7 October. This initiative is part of Vietnam’s commitment to support the Joint Statement and Framework Programme for Joint Oil Spill Preparedness and Response in the Gulf of Thailand.

 

 

Quezon City, Philippines — In preparation for PEMSEA's entry to its fourth phase in 2014, the 13th Executive Committee Meeting focused on the key actions needed to ensure smooth transition in operations and mechanisms and help strengthen the organization’s self-financing capacity.

 

 

Xiamen, PR China — The State Oceanic Administration of PR China (SOA) convened the PEMSEA Achievement Exchange Meeting and the Symposium on the 20th Anniversary of PEMSEA Implementation in China during the Xiamen World Ocean Week (XWOW) 2013 as a move to commemorate two decades of partnership between PEMSEA and China.

 

 

Xiamen, PR China — This year's Xiamen World Ocean Week (XWOW) held last 8–14 November focused on commitments to supporting an ocean-based blue economy in the East Asian Seas region and bolstering ties with partners in pursuit of future initiatives in marine cooperation.

 

 

Washington, DC, USA — In recognition of the role of the Global Environment Facility (GEF) and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) as organizations that were instrumental to its success, PEMSEA attended the recent GEF Council Meeting last 5 November 2013 to present its achievements in the East Asian Seas region for the past 20 years.

 

 

Bridgetown, Barbados — The Caribbean island nation of Barbados hosted over 200 delegates for the 7th Global Environment Facility (GEF) International Waters Conference (IWC7) from 28-31 October 2013. Organized by the GEF International Waters Learning Exchange and Resource Network (IW:LEARN), the biennial event facilitated the sharing of experiences and good practices among GEF-supported initiatives on the sustainable management of transboundary waters.