The oceans and coasts of the East Asian region are among the most biologically diverse and productive areas in the world. However, these areas have been threatened over the years by various problems and issues due to rapid socioeconomic activities, population growth and several other factors. The youth, as inheritors of the planet, have the most at stake. But they can also play a significant role in securing their future and that of generations to come, if their potential can be properly utilized. Existing efforts for the sustainable development of our oceans and coasts will only be sustained if the younger generation gets involved in environmental and resource management. Now on its third cycle, the East Asian Seas Youth Forum gathered young leaders to share their experiences in protecting the oceans and coasts of East Asia. The Third East Asian Seas Youth Forum (YF3) was one of the special events of the EAS Congress, which was held from 8-13 July 2012 in Changwon City, Republic of Korea. The YF3 included 91 participants, 48 of which were from 11 EAS countries including Cambodia, PR China, Indonesia, Japan, Lao PDR, Malaysia, Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, Timor-Leste and Viet Nam. Forty-three participants were representatives of various environmental youth groups in RO Korea. Carrying the theme, “Young Champions for the Ocean,” the YF3 was designed to enhance awareness and to develop the potential of the youth of East Asia as future practitioners in coastal and ocean management. This publication summarizes the outcome of the Forum.

This publication summarizes the results of the Fourth Senior Government Officials' Meeting held during the East Asian Seas Congress 2012. The meeting highlighted the key objectives and expected outputs of the Ministerial Forum, including the adoption of the Changwon Declaration toward an Ocean-based Blue Economy and the Regional Sustainable Development Strategy for the Seas of East Asia (SDS-SEA) Implementation Plan for 2012–2016.

This publication summarizes the results of the workshop on Unmasking Hidden Costs: Accounting for Natural Resource Depreciation and Environmental Damages held during the East Asian Seas Congress 2012. The workshop aimed to draw attention to the value of ecosystem services and the cost of ecosystem losses and environmental damages, as well as the application of such values in policy-making, designing economic instruments, assessing development versus conservation options, project structuring and developing alternative livelihood programs.

This publication summarizes the results of the Expert Consultation Workshop on Coastal and Marine Spatial Planning Approach: International Experiences held during the East Asian Seas Congress 2012. The workshop dealt with lessons of marine spatial planning from international experience (Europe, Ukraine) in relation to climate change, and focused on East Asia to illustrate national and local examples of MSP or its variants (coastal use zoning, marine functional zoning, integrated land-and sea-use plan, etc.), the approaches to MSP, and applications of MSP for resolving multiple use conflicts and for specific uses, e.g., disaster preparedness, beach protection, and habitat protection.

The 2012 PEMSEA Network of Local Governments for Sustainable Coastal Development (PNLG) Forum General Assembly was held at the Changwon Hotel, Changwon City, Republic of Korea on 8 July 2012. The Changwon City Government hosted the forum. This publication summarizes the outcome of the forum.

This publication summarizes the results of the workshop on Transforming Human Resources into Resourceful Humans held during the East Asian Seas Congress 2012. The workshop reviewed various capacity development, knowledge management efforts and knowledge resource networks in order to develop a roadmap to creating and strengthening regional management mechanisms to increase capacities of leaders, managers, technical and scientific professionals, among others, in the field of coastal and ocean governance.

The 4th East Asian Seas (EAS) Congress, co-organized by the Government of RO Korea through the Ministry of Land Transport and Maritime Affairs, the City Government of Changwon, RO Korea and the Partnerships in Environmental Management for the Seas of East Asia (PEMSEA), was held at the Changwon Exhibition and Convention Center (CECO) in Changwon City, RO Korea from 9-13 July 2012. Carrying the theme "Building a Blue Economy: Strategy, Opportunities, and Partnerships in the Seas of East Asia," the EAS Congress 2012 provided participants with the prospect of identifying contributions, progress and achievements in the governance of regional/sub-regional seas within the framework of the Sustainable Development Strategy for the Seas of East Asia (SDS-SEA), as well as new opportunities for strengthening partnerships, which are essential in realizing the full potential of the ocean economy of East Asia. The workshop on "Monitoring, Reporting and Forecasting: Applications, Benefits, and on-the-ground Applications" was one of the workshops under the subtheme on Accelerating Blue Innovations in Support of an Ocean-based Blue Economy. The workshop was co-convened by the Plymouth Marine Laboratory (PML) and the Korea Institute of Ocean Science and Technology (KIOST), formerly the Korea Ocean Research and Development Institute (KORDI). This publication summarizes the outcome of the workshop.

This publication summarizes the results of the workshop on New Directions and Initiatives for Coastal and Ocean Governance at the Global, Regional and National Levels held during the East Asian Seas Congress 2012. The workshop aims to: (a) highlight the outcomes of Rio+20 and initiatives related to the coastal and ocean governance and discuss their implications with respect to the implementation of the Sustainable Development Strategy for the Seas of East Asia (SDSSEA); (b) look at how national policies are mainstreamed and how the government directs investment toward the marine economy; (c) identify new initiatives in developing marine policies, strategy and practices and implementation of new initiatives for an ocean-based blue economy; and (d) discuss how national IOCM could be effectively applied to address/enhance new emerging issues such as an ocean-based blue economy.