New staff, new e-mail addresses in NOWPAP 
In May, NOWPAP RCU Busan office Programme Assistant, Ms. Gyoung Hee KIM, has moved to another UN office in Seoul.  New Team Assistant, Ms. Jihee YI, has started working in Busan office since 2 May.  Her e-mail address is Jihee.Yi@unep.org.  Other RCU staff members will use *.*@unep.org e-mail addresses from 1 June 2016.

Launch of the PEMSEA Youth Program
Today is World Oceans Day! To celebrate this global event, PEMSEA is launching a new PEMSEA Youth Program. PEMSEA recognizes the important role that young people play in the future of coasts and oceans and the success of the Sustainable Development Strategy for the Seas of East Asia (SDS-SEA). True sustainability of our shared seas can only be achieved if youth are actively involved in managing coastal and marine resources.

On June 8, celebrated as both International Ocean Day and China National Ocean Day, Dr. Chua Thia-Eng, PEMSEA Chair Emeritus, was formerly named as one of the ten ” Ocean Figures of China 2015” at a ceremony in Beihai City, PR China. Another international personality awarded was Dr. Awni Behnam, Hon. President of the International Ocean Institute (IOI). Eight other awardees were distinguished ocean personalities from China.  The award acknowledges their outstanding achievements that stimulate people’s inner resonance and strong social influence both in China and worldwide.

 

On September 7, 2016 the PEMSEA Network of Local Governments (PNLG) concluded its three-day Annual Forum hosted by Ansan City, RO Korea. Carrying the theme of Sustainable Future Cities in the Coastal Area through UN SDGs, the event assembled over 100 representatives from nearly 30 local governments in 9 countries. The PNLG continues to grow, adding members from Tangerang (Indonesia), Kampot, Kep and Koh Kong (Cambodia) and Sanya (China).

 

The 3rd Regional Training Workshop on Marine Ecosystem Services Valuation and Spatial Management Tools was held from 22 to 27 August 2016 in Busan, RO Korea. This workshop was organized with support from the Korean Maritime Institute. Thirteen members of the PEMSEA Network of Learning Centers (PNLC) attended the event.

 

 

 

At the East Asian Seas Congress in Danang, Vietnam, PEMSEA launched a small grants program for youth leaders in the region. Proposals came in from China, the Philippines and Indonesia. After a rigorous screening process, the grant was awarded to Enggar Yulia Wardani from Indonesia.

 

 

The project on ASEAN – German Technical Cooperation Sustainable Port Development (SPD) was launched to improve the quality and efficiency of safety, health and environmental (SHE) management of ports in the ASEAN Region. In 2010, PEMSEA signed a Letter of Cooperation with GIZ (German International Cooperation) to jointly assist participating ports.