History of Japan’s Engagement in PEMSEA

The session "Area-based Marine Ecosystem Management for the implementation of Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework", held on November 7, 2024, in Xiamen, China, highlighted innovative strategies to advance marine biodiversity conservation across the East Asian Seas. By addressing the Kunming-Montreal targets, including the ambitious 30x30 objective, the session aligned seamlessly with the EAS Congress theme, "Connecting People and Ocean for Resilient and Sustainable Seas."

The event brought together policymakers, researchers, and key stakeholders to foster collaboration, exchange expertise, and explore actionable pathways toward resilient and thriving marine ecosystems. With its focus on regional implementation linked to global biodiversity and ocean sustainability goals, the session contributed meaningfully to SDG 14, reaffirming a shared commitment to safeguarding marine resources for future generations.

The Regional Workshop served as a collaborative platform for engaging key stakeholders in advancing Integrated River Basin Management (IRBM) strategies across six ASEAN countries namely, Cambodia, Indonesia, Lao PDR, Malaysia, Philippines, and Vietnam. This workshop facilitated in-depth discussions on stakeholder dynamics, concerns, and engagement strategies tailored to the unique contexts of each country and their respective river basins. Key objectives included enhancing stakeholder participation in IRBM, and
identifying actionable strategies to improve stakeholder engagement in water resource management.

The conduct of baseline assessment of the Source-to-Sea (S2S) management continuum with a targeted outcome of improving understanding of governance, socioeconomic, ecological conditions, gaps and needs of priority river basins/sub-basins and associated
coastal areas through the State of River Basin (SORB) reporting system is one of the major outcomes of the implementation of the GEF/UNDP/ASEAN Project on Reducing Pollution and Preserving Environmental Flows in the East Asian Seas through the Implementation of Integrated River Basin Management (IRBM) in the ASEAN Countries. The SORB reporting system aims to:

a) Establish baseline conditions in a river basin/associated coastal area prior to the startup of the IRBM program, including changes that are climate related;

b) Assess progress, achievements and shortcomings of ongoing IRBM programs by determining changing conditions with respect to governance and social and economic conditions, including gender gaps as well as trends and/or emerging environmental issues; and

c) Develop recommendations for continual improvement of IRBM programs including recommendations on ensuring gender responsiveness and incorporating gender equality, where appropriate for consideration by national and local governments and other relevant stakeholders in each river basin/coastal area.

The Sharing Experiences and Best Practice in Sustainable Management of MPAs workshop brought together over 60 marine conservation experts from East Asian Seas countries to enhance collaboration and exchange best practices in Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) and Other Effective Area-Based Conservation Measures (OECMs) management.  

The workshop featured discussions on MPA network design, biodiversity conservation strategies, community-led enforcement, and the role of technology in marine protection. Experts shared insights on strengthening MPA effectiveness, addressing conservation gaps, and aligning efforts with the 30x30 global target.  

A key highlight was the release of four significant studies on marine OECM criteria, MPA monitoring plans, patrol frameworks, and biodiversity conservation gaps. These reports provided valuable guidance for improving conservation planning and management across the region.  

By fostering knowledge exchange and regional cooperation, the workshop contributed to advancing sustainable marine management in alignment with the Sustainable Development Strategy for the Seas of East Asia (SDS-SEA) 2023-2027).

The conservation and management of coastal and marine ecosystems, known as blue carbon ecosystems, have gained prominence for their critical role in climate change mitigation and biodiversity conservation. These ecosystems, including mangrove forests, seagrass meadows, and tidal marshes, are valued for their ability to capture and store carbon, reducing greenhouse gases in the atmosphere. Recognizing their importance, the 15th EAS Partnership Council approved the development of a PEMSEA Blue Carbon Program, managed by the PEMSEA Resource Facility (PRF) with guidance from Dr. Keita Furukawa and the PEMSEA Network of Learning Centers. PRF has outlined a roadmap focusing on supply, market, accounting, and certification of blue carbon.

This study by Kristina di Ticman centers on harmonizing blue carbon accounting protocols in the East Asian Seas region, a proposal agreed upon at the 2nd General Assembly of the PEMSEA Network of Learning Centers reviews accounting protocols from China, Indonesia, Japan, the Philippines, and RO Korea, alongside voluntary standards from VERRA, identifying similarities, gaps, and recommendations for harmonization.