This publication summarizes the results of one of the workshops held during the East Asian Seas Congress 2009 on Local Action, Global Contribution: Best Practices in Community-based Approaches to Sustainable Coastal and Marine Ecosystems Management. Best practices in community-based approaches to sustainable coastal and marine ecosystems management are emerging. Case studies from East Asia are highlighted in this report showcasing how the local communities in the region have been a rich source of creative and productive experiences in managing coastal and marine ecosystems. The case models have been chosen from a number of projects implemented by community-based organizations, people's organizations and other community constituents within the SGP Country Programmes in the East Asian Seas region. While these initiatives were directed to contribute to global environmental benefits, they help, more importantly, in uplifting the communities' economic and social wellbeing.

The special session on disaster management tackled two main topics, the Science and Technology for Marine Disaster Prevention and Management and Good Governance on Disaster Management.

The special session was chaired by Dr. Shigeko Haruyama from the International Geographical Union (IGU) and Dr. Cherdsak Virapat, Executive Director of the International Ocean Institute (IOI).

The specific objectives of the special session were to:

Take stock of available resources that can be optimized to create a more effective disaster management framework with due consideration to the unique settings of each locality/country.
Assess the effectiveness and determine the value of applying science and technology as a tool for disaster management.
Share information on the new ways of collaborating among various sectors of the society.

This publication summarizes the results of one of the workshops held during the East Asian Seas Congress 2009 on Greener Ports in the ASEAN Region. The seminar on Greener Ports examined various efforts and examples of green policies, regulatory enforcements, researches, proactive approaches including the drivers for investments in environmental initiatives. Examples and experiences within and outside the ASEAN region were reviewed with the end in view of identifying good practices and lessons learned to promote port sustainability and environmental stewardship in the region.

This publication summarizes the results of one of the workshops held during the East Asian Seas Congress 2009 on Addressing Transboundary Issues through Regional/Subregional Seas Cooperation: Initiatives in East Asia. In the East Asia Seas (EAS) region, a number of regional and subregional transboundary projects on marine and coastal environmental management have been progressing or initiated recently, each with a goal of developing a subregional Strategic Action Plan (SAP), led by concerned countries, donor agencies, UN organizations, international NGOs, etc. In reviewing these initiatives and projects, the EAS Partnership Council of PEMSEA noted the need for collaboration between these initiatives and projects/programs for creating synergies and sharing knowledge in order to reduce possible duplication of effort, inefficient use of resources, and limited sharing of knowledge, experience, skills and tools. The need for an effective coordination mechanism for the region among the various projects/programmes and implementing agencies/organizations has also noted by the Council. With this realization, a workshop was convened during the EAS Congress 2009 to discuss on various transboundary environmental issues and their implementing mechanisms, good practices and areas of collaboration among the programmes and stakeholders involved. In the workshop, a number of regional, subregional and international organizations including UNDP and UNEP and initiatives including South China Sea, Yellow Sea, COBSEA, NOWPAP, PEMSEA, Conservation International Philippines, Sulu-Sulawesi Seas, Arafura-Timor Seas, Coral Triangle Initiative and Mangroves for the Future presented their works, discussed barriers and opportunities, and identified ways to move forward.

This publication summarizes the results of one of the workshops held during the East Asian Seas Congress 2009 on the Impacts of Climate Change at the Coastal and Ocean Areas of the East Asian Seas Region. Climate changes are not new—cycles of tremendous climate changes have happened throughout Earth’s history; but in those times, the contributions from humans were nil or very insignificant. A grave concern is very apparent today; IPCC, in its 2007 report declared, beyond doubt, a warming of the global climate system and linking it to human activities. Humankind’s excesses have thus become manifold: pollution, overextractions, introductions, habitat destruction, and now climate change have tremendously altered ecosystems and the climate and are contributing to Earth’s destruction. It is against this backdrop that the Workshop on Impacts of Climate Change at the Coastal and Ocean Areas of the East Asian Seas Region was convened during the EAS Congress in Manila, Philippines in November 2009. This workshop was aimed at articulating climate change adaptation and resilience strategies within the context of sustainable development in coastal and marine environment. In particular, the workshop objectives are: To understand the types, level and severity of the adverse social and economic impacts of climate change; and To outline actions, initiatives or response measures within and outside the East Asian Seas region related to climate change adaptation and resilience strategies. The workshop was co-convened by the World Maritime University (WMU), the Ministry of Land, Transportation and Maritime Affairs of RO Korea (MLTM) and the Swedish Environmental Secretariat for Asia (SENSA). The impacts to the East Asian Seas region were discussed as they relate to sustainable development in Monsoon Asia, fisheries production, and shipping (with the opening of Northeast Passage and Arctic meltdown). The active discussion and sharing of experiences between natural and social scientists and policymakers made reaching a common understanding of global change issues as they affect vulnerability and adaptation in coastal regional settings. The workshop also became a venue which bridged the practitioners of global change with those of a local rural development focus. Also amply articulated were different perspectives coming from disaster risk, conservation and coastal management practitioners.

This publication outlines the results of the International Conference on Sustainable Coastal and Ocean Development, held from November 23 to 26, 2009 in Manila, Philippines.

The coastal and marine environment of East Asia is confronted with similar, if not more complex, management challenges as many other regions in the world. Ecosystem-based management (EBM) is widely advocated as a way of coping with multiple simultaneous pressures that are causing a decline in the state of the marine ecosystems. EBM requires a sound science supporting an adaptive management framework, undertakes integrated assessments to inform management decisions and to regulate multiple human pressures and coordinate and integrate national and international monitoring programs. Management efforts in the region should be, therefore, geared toward the adoption of an integrated, EBM approach and capitalize on the availability of scientific knowledge and technological advances from within and outside the region, including experiences in engaging wider participation of stakeholders in the scientific process. This report presents the highlights of the papers presented in the Workshop on the Science in Ecosystem-based Management, including the conclusions and recommendations drawn from the discussions. It covers, in particular, the key initiatives and experiences in integrating science into policy and management decisions. It also discusses innovative approaches to monitor ecosystem changes due to human interventions, identify effective strategies for knowledge transfer, packaging and communicating scientific information to support policy formulation. It also illustrates how various programs that adopt an ecosystem-based approach, which takes into account ecosystem knowledge and uncertainties, transboundary influences and balancing societal and environmental objectives, have contributed to promoting interdisciplinary research, which is essential for sustainable development of coastal seas.

This publication summarizes the results of one of the workshops held during the East Asian Seas Congress 2009 on Addressing Water Crisis in Rapidly Growing Cities. As the most indispensable commodity of human life, water became the center theme of the world’s environment and development instruments. This is because there is no way of achieving sustainable development without securing water. As water became scarce, water security became a serious concern for most of the countries. The causes of water scarcity are plenty: population growth, pollution, failure in management such as disparities between water supply and demand, weak water use regulation and enforcement, as well as inefficient water use stimulated by inadequate water pricing, and depletion of groundwater resources, among others. With anticipated increase in climatic uncertainties, the problem of water scarcity is expected to exacerbate in years to come.

This publication summarizes the results of one of the workshops held during the East Asian Seas Congress 2009 on Meeting Challenges of Climate Change at the Local Level through ICM. Climate change is a critical and cross-cutting issue, which can affect various aspects of sustainable development. There is a growing concern over its impacts and potential catastrophic consequences, particularly in East Asia, with its long coastlines, economic activity and population concentration in the coastal areas, and reliance on agriculture and use of natural resources for economic development. This workshop, which consisted of 16 presentations and open discussions, highlighted the diverse challenges posed by climate change to the region, particularly at the local level, the usefulness of the integrated coastal management (ICM) framework and process in dealing with such challenges, and the emerging approaches and needs for climate change adaptation for coastal and marine areas.