PEMSEA Holds 36th Executive Committee Meeting to Review Regional Priorities for 2027

^{The EAS Executive Committee meets via Zoom, (top row, from left) Intergovernmental Session Chair Mr. Le Dai Thang, Technical Session Co-Chair Dr. Kazumi Wakita, and EAS Partnership Council Co-Chair Dr. Rasio Ridho Sani; and (bottom row, from left) Intergovernmental Session Co-Chair Dr. Xinwei Yu and EAS Partnership Council Chair Undersecretary Jonas Leones.}

 

PEMSEA convened the 36th Executive Committee (EC) Meeting on 26 October 2026 at the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) in Quezon City, Philippines, and via Zoom to review institutional governance measures and regional milestones ahead of Partnership milestones in 2027.

Chaired by East Asian Seas (EAS) Partnership Council (PC) Chair and DENR Undersecretary for Policy, Planning, and International Affairs Atty. Jonas Leones, the meeting covered the proposed expansion of the PEMSEA Audit Committee’s Terms of Reference (TOR), the application of the Korea Coastal Management Association (KCMA) for admission as a Non-Country Partner, selection of the new PEMSEA Resource Facility Executive Director and preparations for the East Asian Seas Congress 2027.
 

 

EAS Partnership Council Chair and DENR Undersecretary Atty. Jonas Leones (center) delivers his opening remarks during the 36th PEMSEA Executive Committee Meeting, emphasizing the need to translate the Partnership Council’s recommendations on business development, resource mobilization, governance, and risk oversight into institutional measures.

 

In his opening remarks, Usec. Leones emphasized the importance of translating the Partnership Council’s recommendations into institutional measures.

“Much of our agenda today builds on the guidance we received there,” he said, referring to the 18th Partnership Council Meeting held in Singapore last 22-23 July 2026. 

“We will look at how the Council’s recommendations on Business Development and Resource Mobilization Plan are being put into practice, starting with the proposed expansion of the Audit Committee’s Terms of Reference to strengthen governance, risk oversight, and financial sustainability.”
 

 

 

Strengthening Institutional Governance

 

Ms. Aimee Gonzales (right), PRF Executive Director, presents the proposal to expand the existing Audit Committee’s mandate to strengthen oversight of governance, risk management, financial sustainability, ethics, and independence safeguards, instead of establishing a separate Revenue and Risk Committee.

 

The EC considered revisions to the PEMSEA Audit Committee’s TOR following recommendations on the Business Development and Resource Mobilization (BDRM) Plan raised during the 18th Partnership Council Meeting in Singapore.

Rather than establishing a separate Revenue and Risk Committee, Ms. Aimee Gonzales, PEMSEA Resource Facility (PRF) Executive Director discussed the proposal which expands the existing Audit Committee’s mandate to strengthen oversight of governance, risk management, financial sustainability, ethics, and independence safeguards. 

The EC also took up the announcement of the incoming PRF Executive Director as part of PRF’s leadership transition. Ms. Jean Manzano, PRF Human Resources and Administrative Officer, presented the selection process, including the recruitment timeline and the procedures followed in evaluating and selecting the incoming Executive Director, to ensure transparency in the appointment process.
 

 

Ms. Jean Manzano, PRF Human Resources and Administrative Officer, presents the selection process for the incoming PRF Executive Director, outlining the recruitment timeline and evaluation procedures in the appointment process.

 

Ms. April Ann Tigulo, PRF Secretariat Coordinator, presents the application of the Korea Coastal Management Association (KCMA) for admission as a Non-Country Partner to the EAS Partnership Council.
 

 

The EC reviewed KCMA’s application for admission to the EAS Partnership Council as a Non-Country Partner. The Committee endorsed the application for consideration by the Partnership Council.

Preparations Underway for 2027 EAS Congress

The Committee discussed preparations for the East Asian Seas Congress 2027. EAS PC Co-Chair Dr. Rasio Ridho Sani, representing host country Indonesia, presented the proposed theme and dates for the Congress for the Committee’s consideration and endorsement to the Partnership Council.

Updating Regional Reports on Marine Protected Areas and Blue Carbon

The Committee reviewed the enhanced Report on Marine Protected Areas in the East Asian Seas, which the Partnership Council approved as a living document during its 18th Meeting. The report has since been updated based on inputs from Country Partners and Non-Country Partners received during and after the meeting.

The EC received updates on the PEMSEA Blue Carbon Program and the Regional Blue Accounting Protocol (RBCAP). Approved by the Partnership Council at its 18th PC Meeting, the protocol has been refined based on recommendations and inputs from Country Partners, Non-Country Partners, and technical experts.

PEMSEA Blue Carbon Coordinator Ms. Maida Aguinaldo presented the updates on behalf of Blue Carbon Technical Working Group Chair, Dr. Suk-Jae Kwon. The RBCAP provides a harmonized framework for measuring, monitoring, and reporting blue carbon in mangroves, seagrass beds, and salt marshes, supported by guidance on ecosystem-specific methods, mapping, and environmental monitoring. The program is also advancing regional capacity development and exploring approaches to account for biodiversity benefits alongside carbon.

The PEMSEA Blue Carbon Program is also advancing regional capacity development and exploring opportunities to account for biodiversity benefits alongside carbon. Planned activities include a proposed training-of-trainers program in 2027 and the development of the Blue Carbon and Biodiversity for People, Adaptation, and Sustainable Seas (BluePASS) proposal, which aims to advance blue carbon and biodiversity certification in the East Asian Seas region.
 

 

Building Momentum for 2027

 

 

The EC discussed the proposed venues for the upcoming meetings, with Manila, Philippines, proposed for the 37th Executive Committee Meeting and Da Nang, Viet Nam, for the 19th Partnership Council Meeting.

In his closing remarks, Usec. Leones called for continued engagement from the Executive Committee and Partnership Council as preparations for the East Asian Seas Congress 2027 progress.

“The success of the Congress will rely heavily on the technical inputs of the Partnership Council, particularly on the programme, the sessions, and the other substantive elements that will shape the event,” he said.

He encouraged the Committee to contribute technical inputs, particularly on the Congress programme, sessions, and other substantive elements, and to respond promptly to requests from the Secretariat.