Perspectives on Building a Regional Mechanism for Coastal and Ocean Governance in the Seas of East Asia

The 5th PEMSEA Network of Learning Centers (PNLC) General Assembly was held at the Marine Science Institute, University of the Philippines, Diliman, Quezon City, Philippines, on 27 March 2026. The meeting served as a strategic platform to review PNLC accomplishments, discuss future workplans, and strengthen regional collaboration in coastal and marine management.

A total of 20 out of 25 PNLC member institutions participated in the General Assembly, representing countries across the East Asian Seas region, including Cambodia, China, Hong Kong, Lao PDR, Indonesia, the Philippines, Thailand, Timor-Leste, and Vietnam. The meeting brought together experts, researchers, and institutional representatives to exchange knowledge and align priorities.

The General Assembly covered the following key agenda items: (1) Opening of the meeting and approval of the Meeting Agenda; (2) Presentation of PNLC Accomplishments in 2024-2025 and Workplan for 2026; (3) The PEMSEA Regional Strategic Framework: Sustainable Development Strategy for the Seas of East Asia Implementation Plan 2023-2030 and the Role of PNLC in Implementation; (4) Collaboration with PEMSEA Partners and Projects; (5) Other Business, including announcements by PNLC Members; (6) Next Steps; and, (7) A Special Session by the SKLMEH on Conservation and Management of Marine Biodiversity.

The meeting also highlighted ongoing and upcoming collaborative initiatives, which included presentations on the Effectively Managing Networks of Marine Protected Areas in the Large Marine Ecosystems of the ASEAN Region (ASEAN ENMAPS) Project and the Reducing Pollution and Preserving Environmental Flows in the East Asian Seas through the Implementation of Integrated River Basin Management (IRBM) Project. The IPB University introduced the PKSPL Regional Summer Course on Marine Litter Management, Policy, and Integrated Coastal Governance in the East Asian Seas Region. Dr. Brian Szuster of the University of Hawai’i (UH) introduced a project concept on a Blue Carbon Initiative for the PNLC which was conceptualized and inspired by the PNLC Blue Carbon Workshops co-sponsored by UH.

In addition, a special session on marine biodiversity conservation was conducted by SKLMEH, featuring expert presentations and discussions on integrated approaches, global monitoring programs, and innovative tools such as eDNA for marine conservation.

The Regional Workshop entitled “PNLC Regional Workshop: From Knowledge to Action: Scaling Blue Carbon Initiatives in the East Asian Region” was hosted by the PEMSEA Network of Learning Centers (PNLC) and held in Antipolo, Philippines, from 25–26 March 2026.

The workshop brought together 43 participants including experts, speakers, and representatives from PNLC member institutions from 8 countries across the region, namely Cambodia, China, Lao PDR, Indonesia, the Philippines, Thailand, Timor-Leste, and Vietnam.

Co-sponsored by the Luce Foundation, University of Hawai‘i, University of the Philippines–Marine Science Institute, the Ministry of Environment Indonesia, and the PNLC, and organized by the PNLC Secretariat in coordination with the PEMSEA Resource Facility.

The 35th PEMSEA Executive Committee Meeting was held on 31 March 2026 at the PEMSEA Resource Facility in Quezon City, Philippines, attended by EAS Partnership Council Chair Atty. Jonas Leones, Intergovernmental Session Chair Mr. Le Dai Thang, Intergovernmental Session Co-Chair Dr. Xinwei Yu, Technical Session Chair Dr. Suk-Jae Kwon, Technical Session Co-Chair Dr. Kazumi Wakita, observers from the Department of Environment and Natural Resources of the Philippines and the China PEMSEA Center, and PRF staff led by Executive Director Ms. Aimee T. Gonzales. The EC approved the revised schedule for PRF Executive Director recruitment and the updated 18th EAS Partnership Council Meeting agenda (22–23 July 2026, Singapore), noted and endorsed the 2025 Audited Financial Statements reflecting a clean audit and total receipts of USD 4.16 million, and endorsed the 2025 Accomplishment Report and the 2026–2027 PRF Workplan and Budget with projected receipts of USD 6.7 million. Key strategic decisions included endorsing a phased re-engagement approach with Malaysia, Thailand, and Brunei as formal PEMSEA country partners; approving the PEMSEA Youth Engagement Readiness and Pilot Program; endorsing the Marine Protected Areas in the East Asian Seas Report; and noting updates on the Blue Carbon Program, Organizational Capacity Assessment, and Business Development and Resource Mobilization initiatives. Under other business, the EC endorsed Indonesia as host of the EAS Congress 2027, called for nominations for the vacant EAS PC Co-Chair position, and approved the establishment of an annual PEMSEA Day.

The first quarter of 2026 marked a period of strengthened coordination and forward planning for the GEF/UNDP/ASEAN Integrated River Basin Management (IRBM) Project, as participating ASEAN Member States and partners continued to build on institutional arrangements at national level and advance pilot interventions at basin level. These shared efforts were shaped by closer inter-agency collaboration, alignment of strategies, and a growing emphasis on translating plans into practical, site-based solutions.

In the Philippines, a key activity was the convening of the Organizational Meeting of the Project Steering Committee (PSC) in January, bringing together representatives from national government agencies
to guide project implementation. The meeting clarified the governance structures, including the roles of the PSC, Inter-agency Technical Working Group, and Project Management Unit, while also reviewing and approving the 2026 workplan and budget. Discussions underscored the importance of harmonizing existing plans and programs across agencies to support integrated river basin and water resources management, particularly in the Project’s sites in Cavite and Pampanga.

At the basin level, coordination was further strengthened through a February meeting in Pampanga with the local government and the Department of Environment and Natural Resources for project implementation in Pasac–Guagua Watershed. The discussions provided updates on project implementation, revisited institutional arrangements, and identified priority directions for pilot project development. A notable shift emerged in the exploration of solutions, with stakeholders considering strategies to address solid waste—particularly food waste management—based on data showing that biodegradable waste comprises a significant share of total waste generated in the province. This reflects a more integrated and context-specific approach to address river basin challenges.

In March, the Project continued to support technical discussions on solid waste management through its participation in consultations in Da Nang, Viet Nam, where national and international partners examined priority concerns such as waste segregation, recycling systems, and the environmental impacts of landfill operations. Site visits further informed the identification of technical assistance needs and highlighted opportunities for innovation, including digital monitoring systems and alternative waste treatment solutions, where the Project could contribute.

In Cavite, Philippines, the Project participated in the review and updating of the 10-year Action Plan for the Imus-Ylang Ylang-Rio Grande Rivers (IYRR) Water Quality Management Area (WQMA), which brought together stakeholders to assess progress, identify gaps, and update strategies for improved river basin management. In support to the IYRR Action Plan and as part of pilot project development, the Project conducted the review of two feasibility studies commissioned by the DENR Environmental Management Bureau Region IV-A for the proposed wastewater and/or sewerage/septage treatment system in three river basins in Cavite Province and the Local Water Utilities Administration for the identification of concept designs for sanitation projects in the Municipality of Amadeo. The results were presented to the 1st Quarter 2026 Governing Board meeting of the IYRR WQMA. The IYYR WQMA Governing Board agreed to issue a resolution on the proposed establishment of septage treatment plant (STP) in the Municipality of Amadeo marking a key step toward advancing pilot project implementation under the IRBM Project.

Collectively, the activities of the quarter reflect how these shared currents are beginning to take shape—grounded in strengthened partnerships and a clearer focus on practical solutions. This edition also features a profile story from Kedah River Basin in Malaysia, highlighting the experiences of women and communities whose livelihoods are closely tied to the river. Their stories underscore the vital role of women in sustaining water resources and shaping more inclusive and resilient approaches to river basin management.