Bangkok, Thailand — The GEF International Waters Science Conference (IWSC 2012), attended by over 160 managers, scientists and officials, was held September 24-26, carrying the theme "Setting the International Waters Science Agenda for the Next Decade." The conference adopted a statement summarizing the major conclusions of the three-day conference.

 

 

Beijing, PR China — In the Regional Experts Workshop on the Preparation of the Program Framework Document (PFD) and Eighth Meeting of the Project Steering Committee of the UNDP/GEF Regional Project on Reducing Environmental Stress in the Yellow Sea Large Marine Ecosystem, held on September 18-19 and September 20 respectively, PR China and RO Korea agreed to a plan to seek GEF support in implementing the Strategic Action Plan (SAP) of the Yellow Sea Large Marine Ecosystem (YSLME).

 

 

 

Bangkok, Thailand — Fifty experts on marine environment from WESTPAC, NOWPAP and COBSEA Member Countries participated in the Regional Scientific and Technical Capacity Building Workshop on the World Ocean Assessment (the Regular Process) in Bangkok, Thailand, from 17 to 19 September 2012.

 

 

Palawan, Philippines — The government of Philippines has chosen as its fifth Wetland of International Importance the extremely interesting Puerto Princesa Subterranean River National Park (22,202 hectares, 10º10'00"N 118º55'00"E), which is already a UNESCO World Heritage Site and Man and Biosphere (MAB) Biosphere Reserve.

 

 

Quezon City, Philippines — The Korea Marine Environment Management Corporation (KOEM) headed by its Vice President, Dr. Kim Hyun-Jong met with PEMSEA Resource Facility (PRF) technical staff to review and discuss the progress in the implementation of the research project on "Monitoring and Analysis of Waters in the East Asian Seas relating to Climate Change" on 3 September 2012 at the PEMSEA Office Building.

 

 

 

Jeju, RO Korea— The 17th NOWPAP Intergovernmental Meeting (IGM) was held in Jeju (Korea) on 1-2 November 2012. All NOWPAP member states (PR China, Japan, RO Korea and Russia) were represented, as well as NOWPAP Regional Activity Centers (RACs) and four major partners (PEMSEA, PICES, WESTPAC and YSLME).

 

 

Chengdu, PR China — Invited as an observer, NOWPAP representative attended the 17th Senior Officials Meeting (SOM) of the North-East Asian Sub-regional Programme for Environmental Cooperation (NEASPEC) held on 20-21 December 2012 in Chengdu, PR China.

 

As all NOWPAP member states are also members of NEASPEC, NOWPAP has been watching closely the developments of NEASPEC in order to find issues of mutual interest for cooperative activities and to avoid any possible duplicated efforts in the region.

 

 

Toyama, Japan — NOWPAP and NEASPEC jointly organized the Workshop on Marine Biodiversity Conservation and Marine Protected Areas in the Northwest Pacific on 13-14 March 2013 in Toyama, Japan.

 

The workshop brought together focal points and experts from both NOWPAP and NEASPEC member states of People's Republic of China, Japan, Republic of Korea and Russian Federation as well as representatives from international organizations: Helsinki Commission (HELCOM), North Pacific Marine Science Organization (PICES) and IOC Sub-Commission for the Western Pacific (IOC WESTPAC).