The PNLG Forum 2017 was hosted by the Local Government of Sanya City, Hainan, PR China, from December 5-6, 2017 at the Sanya Visun Royal Yacht Hotel. With the theme, “Conservation to Ecological Restoration of Coastal Areas for Blue Economy” the PNLG Forum gathered over 120 delegates from 31 local governments in 9 countries (Cambodia, China, Indonesia, Malaysia, Philippines, RO Korea, Thailand, Timor-Leste and Vietnam), as well as representatives from the PNLG associate members (Coastal and Ocean Management Institute and First Institute of Oceanography of the State Oceanic Administration of China).

The Regional Planning Workshop on the Development of a State of Oceans and Coasts (SOC) Report for the Seas of East Asia was held on 31 March – 1 April 2016 at the PEMSEA Building in the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) Compound in Quezon City, Philippines. Representatives from 15 international organizations and regional programmes participated, and shared their views and perspectives on blue economy and the SOC report. They provided suggestions on key topics and indicators to be included in the SOC report, and pointed out the issues, challenges, solution options and examples of good practices. Available information and studies from their respective agencies and other sources of information were also discussed.

The RegionalAgreement was reached on the outline of the SOC report. The participants will share information and their expertise to provide technical guidance and contribute to the development of the regional SOC report. The next steps include: (a) the development of the template, with Philippines as the pilot country; (b) organizing national teams for the development of National SOC reports; (c) organizing a regional Technical Working Group; (d) presentation of draft SOC reports at the Blue Economy Conference in November 2017 to get feedback; and (e) presentation and dissemination of SOC reports at the next East Asian Seas Congress in 2018. 

Decision-makers and leading experts from ministries, industry, academe and international organizations came together for the first regional Blue Economy Forum, which was held on 14-15 November 2017 in Bangkok, Thailand. The East Asian Seas (EAS) region is a center of marine biodiversity as well as a center of economic growth, but there are complex pressures and threats affecting the state of ocean health and ocean economy. Co-organized by PEMSEA, the Thailand Research Fund, and the Department of Marine and Coastal Resources (DMCR), Ministry of Natural Resource and Environment (MONRE) Thailand, the two-day forum introduced 10 national and 4 sub-regional State of Oceans and Coasts reports, or SOCs, which focused on the vital role that oceans and marine ecosystems play in economic development, trade, welfare, resiliency, and food, water and energy security across the EAS region. The participants concluded that business as usual is no longer an option in the face of changing environment and climate. They underscored the need to prioritize critical challenges and recognize economic growth and healthy oceans as compatible propositions. Interesting actions, innovations, and partnerships taking place in the region demonstrate the huge potential for blue economy, and workable solutions towards achieving sustainable oceans and coasts for all.

The upcoming East Asian Seas (EAS) Congress celebrates 25 years of partnerships for healthy oceans, people and economies.

Application forms to organize Partnership Hubs may be found here.

Information on EAS Congress registration and other arrangements will be released soon.

The 20th Executive Committee Meeting was conducted by skype on November 22, 2017. The meeting was participated in by the EAS Partnership Council Chair, Dr. Antonio La Viña; Technical Session Chair, Mr. Makoto Harunari; Intergovernmental Session CoChair, Dr. Vu Thanh Ca; and Technical Session Co-Chair, Dr. Jae Ryoung Oh. Dr. Zhang Haiwen, Intergovernmental Session Chair and Mr. Arief Yuwono, Intergovernmental Session Co-Chair encountered internet connection difficulties and were unable to participate in the discussion. Mr. Liang Fengkui, State Oceanic Administration, China served as observer.

The Ocean Leadership Roundtable was organized as a special event at the 9th EAS Partnership Council Meeting on 26 July 2017 at the Makati Diamond Residences, Makati City, Philippines. The Roundtable was convened by PEMSEA and co-hosted by the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) Philippines.

The Roundtable was chaired by Dr. Antonio La Viña, Chair of the EAS Partnership Council. The 9th EAS Partnership Council Meeting delegates from eleven countries (Cambodia, China, Indonesia, Japan, Lao PDR, Philippines, RO Korea, Singapore, Thailand, Timor Leste and Vietnam) and from eleven organizations (ACB, CI Phils, IPIECA, IUCN-MFF, KOEM, MABIK, OPRI-SPF, OSRL, PML, YSLME and UNDP) were in attendance, together with the members of the PEMSEA Executive Committee. The PEMSEA Resource Facility served as Secretariat to the Roundtable.

The resource persons for the Roundtable were: Dr. Stephen Crooks, Principal, Silvestrum Climate Associates; Ms. Justine Leigh-Bell, Director Market Development, Climate Bonds Initiative; Dr. Veerle Vandeweerd, Entrepreneur, Former Director, UNEP and Former Director, Environment and Energy, UNDP; and Dr. Ger Bergkamp, President & CEO, ARCOWA.