PEMSEA Transformation - Top of Agenda at the 3rd EAS Partnership

Dandong, PR China — Following the signing of the Agreement Recognizing PEMSEA's International Legal Personality in November 2009, the 3rd East Asian Seas Partnership Council Meeting focused its attention on the principles, key features and required processes of PEMSEA's transformation from a project-based operating arrangement to a self-sustaining international organization.

 

The next 12 months are considered critical for developing a concrete plan for the transformation of PEMSEA, which will include the preparation of: a medium-term implementation plan for the Sustainable Development Strategy for the Seas of East Asia (SDS-SEA); a financial sustainability plan; an advocacy and marketing plan; and re-engineering of the PEMSEA Resource Facility (PRF).In line with this, the EAS Partnership Council established three Technical Working Groups to oversee the entire planning process as well as to contribute to the development of the aforementioned plans. The Technical Working Groups will be headed by the Executive Committee and composed of representatives from both PEMSEA Country and Non-Country Partners as well as representatives from the sponsoring organizations of PEMSEA. Key experts will also be invited to provide advice and support in the preparation of the plans. The 3rd EAS Partnership Council Meeting also discussed issues related to interactive collaborative planning among Partners, progress and achievements of SDS-SEA implementation from 2003-2010, and scaling up of SDS-SEA implementation, among others. In recognition of the importance of the 4th EAS Partnership Council Meeting which is to be organized in July 2011, the Government of RO Korea expressed their willingness to host the Meeting. The Government wishes it to be a preparatory meeting for the EAS Congress 2012 which will also be hosted by RO Korea. With much appreciation, the Partners agreed to the generous offer of RO Korea to host the 4th Partnership Council Meeting. The Meeting was convened in Dandong, Liaoning Province, PR China from 26 to 29 July 2010 and was hosted by the State Oceanic Administration of China. Representatives from ten PEMSEA Partner Countries and ten Non-Country Partners, sponsoring organizations, and invited observers were present during the Meeting.