The Experts’ Meeting on Strategies for Better Coastal and Ocean Governance was held in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, on 18-20 November 2002. The Meeting was organized to review strategies to address priority coastal and ocean governance issues at subnational, national, and regional levels; and examine measures to develop a regional pool of expertise in coastal and ocean governance. The meeting has taken into account the outcomes of high-level policy fora related to coastal and marine affairs, particularly those from the recent APEC Ocean Ministerial Meeting (Seoul, 25-26 April 2002) and the World Summit on Sustainable Development (WSSD, Johannesburg, 26 August to 4 September 2002). In addition, the meeting forms part of the technical preparation for the Ministerial Forum on the Sustainable Development of the Seas of East Asia and the International Conference on the Sustainable Development of the East Asian Seas: Towards a New Era of Regional Collaboration and Partnerships to be held on 8-12 December 2003. The meeting was co-organized by PEMSEA and the Maritime Institute of Malaysia (MIMA). Experts with diverse disciplinary backgrounds from the different countries of East Asia representing government and nongovernment institutions (specifically Indonesia, Japan, Malaysia, P.R. China, Philippines, Republic of Korea, Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam), participated in their individual capacities in the meeting. Also participated were experts from other institutions in the region such as the Asia Pacific Centre for Environmental Law and the United Nations Development Programme.

The National Conference on Media as Key Partners in Environmental Sustainability was held in Manila, Philippines, on 23 October 2002.

The Conference was organized by the GEF/UNDP/IMO Regional Programme on Partnerships in Environmental Management for the Seas of East Asia (PEMSEA), in collaboration with the United Nations Development Programme, Department of Environment and Natural Resources, Environmental Broadcast Circle, Manila Bay Environmental Management Project, Batangas Bay Demonstration Project and BIGKIS-Bataan Project.

The Conference was conceptualized to enhance partnerships with media and other communication practitioners in the Philippines in working for environmental sustainability; and identify ways and mechanisms of strengthening media coverage of environmental issues in the Philippines, including those tackled by the Manila Bay Environmental Management Project, Batangas Bay Demonstration Project and BIGKIS-Bataan Project.

Sixty-four media and communication practitioners, and representatives/staff from national and local governments, international organizations, project management offices and the Regional Programme Office, participated in the activity.

The Second Forum of the Regional Network of Local Governments Implementing Integrated Coastal Management (RNLG) was organized by the GEF/UNDP/IMO Regional Programme for Partnerships in Environmental Management for the Seas of East Asia (PEMSEA), jointly with the State Oceanic Administration (SOA) of PR China, and hosted by the Xiamen Municipal Government of PR China. The Forum was designed to provide a venue to the respective local governments of participating countries for evaluating progress, achievements, constraints and lessons learned in ICM program development and implementation in their respective demonstration and parallel sites; sharing the experience, lessons and good practices of Xiamen ICM demonstration site; and discussing network operational modality and future activities.

The Seminar on Leadership in Ocean and Coastal Governance was held in Xiamen, PR China, on 22 September 2002. The Seminar was organized by the GEF/UNDP/IMO Regional Programme for Partnerships in Environmental Management for the Seas of East Asia (PEMSEA), jointly with the State Oceanic Administration (SOA) of PR China, and hosted by the Xiamen Municipal Government of PR China. The Seminar was designed for local leaders implementing integrated coastal management (ICM) as well as national leaders involved in ocean and coastal governance. It aimed at building regional leadership and commitment in fostering regional collaboration for the sustainable use and protection of the remaining ocean heritage. In light of global commitments reaffirmed at the World Summit on Sustainable Development in Johannesburg on August 2002 toward achieving the goal of sustainable development and implementing Agenda 21, the Seminar provided a timely and useful gathering among regional leaders to share their concerns, issues and visions for environmental management and sustainable development of the Seas of East Asia. The Seminar was attended by 88 participants including high-level officials, present and former ministers, vice ministers, governors, vice governors, mayors, vice mayors, director-generals and directors of line agencies of national and local governments from ten countries of the East Asian Seas region and three countries outside of the Region, as well as senior officials from private sector and four international/UN agencies, such as GEF, UNDP Manila, World Bank and UNIDO.

The First Meeting of the Multidisciplinary Expert Group (MEG) was held at Hotel Istana, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia from 9-10 May 2002. Attending the meeting were seven experts from Indonesia, Hong Kong, Japan, Malaysia, Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, and two from PEMSEA’s Regional Programme Office (RPO). The Meeting was organized to conduct a critical review of scientific and technical quality of major programme outcomes, catalyze the exchange of indigenous and emerging scientific and technological knowledge and explore ways for further development of the MEG as the scientific arm of more effective regional collaborative mechanisms. In doing so, the MEG would also play the role of providing scientific advice for the Programme Steering Committee.

The Regional Consultative Workshop on Strengthening Recovery of Ship Pollution Clean-up Costs and Damage Claims was held in Singapore, on 5-6 September 2001. The Workshop brought together participants from East Asian Seas countries to interact with each other and with the international community. The Workshop included focused discussions on the implementation of international instruments dealing with liability for pollution from ships and compensation of related damages and proposals for strengthening capacities at national and regional level. The Workshop was co-organized by the Regional Programme on Partnerships in Environmental Management for the Seas of East Asia (PEMSEA) and the Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore (MPA Singapore).

The Senior Experts Dialogue on Coastal and Marine Policy was organized by the GEF/UNDP/IMO Regional Programme for Partnerships in Environmental Management for the Seas of East Asia (PEMSEA) in Manila, Philippines, on 13-14 July 2001. Eleven participants from nine countries of the East Asian Seas region attended the workshop. The workshop was designed to provide some of the region’s recognized experts in coastal and marine policy an opportunity to brainstorm on a host of issues facing the East Asian Seas region especially in light of the impacts of economic globalization on the coastal and marine environment and natural resources.

The Meeting of the Pilot Intersessional Consultative Group (ICG) of the GEF/UNDP/IMO Regional Programme was held in Manila, Philippines, from 28 to 29 July 2001. The Meeting was attended by delegates from 10 participating countries, namely: Cambodia, the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea, Indonesia, Malaysia, the People’s Republic of China, the Philippines, the Republic of Korea, Singapore, Thailand and Viet Nam. The Implementing Agency was represented by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) Manila. The Executing Agency was represented by the Regional Programme Office (RPO), Manila.