Proceedings of the Eighth East Asian Seas Partnership Council Meeting

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.
 

Dear PEMSEA community,

Short month. Big moves. February saw PEMSEA turn vision into action, advancing major initiatives across the East Asian Seas.

In the Philippines, the Department of Environment and Natural Resources–Biodiversity Management Bureau, together with Conservation International and support from the Global Environment Facility, officially launched the PRICELESS Project. The five-year initiative aims to strengthen the conservation and sustainable management of the Philippine Rise Marine Resource Reserve through science-based governance, enhanced marine protection, and inclusive partnerships supporting long-term ecosystem resilience.

In Timor-Leste, implementation of the MOF/PEMSEA Marine Plastics ODA Project formally commenced through a national launching meeting led by the Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock, Fisheries and Forestry in partnership with the Ministry of Tourism and Environment and PEMSEA.

In Pampanga, Philippines, the GEF/UNDP/ASEAN Integrated River Basin Management (IRBM) Project convened partners to address watershed challenges and identify targetted strategies for the Pasac–Guagua Watershed.

This month, we also feature the the story of Kedah River Basin in Malaysia, where fishing guides, rice farmers, women food entrepreneurs, and government partners work together to sustain Sungai Kedah from forested headwaters to the rice plains below.

In Kedah, Malaysia, fishing guides, rice farmers, women food entrepreneurs, river associations, and government partners are working together to sustain Sungai Kedah — the Kedah River — from its forested headwaters in Ulu Muda to the rice plains below. Along its course, communities depend on regulated flows for paddy cultivation, inland fisheries, river-based enterprise, and food traditions that have long shaped Kedah’s identity as the nation’s rice bowl.

Monsoon floods, sedimentation, and pollution place increasing pressure on the basin. Along the river, local groups practice catch-and-release fishing, organize clean-ups, and build enterprises rooted in its waters. At the same time, coordination among state and national agencies — through a Source-to-Sea approach that advances integrated river basin management and governance — is deepening shared responsibility across the basin.

Read more about the Kedah River Basin profile.

The Regional Steering Committee (RSC) meeting is the main decision making body of the Official Development Assistance (ODA) Project entitled “Reducing Marine Plastics in the East Asian Seas Region” comprised of the donor: the Government of Republic of Korea represented by the Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries (MOF), and the participating countries: the Philippines, represented by the Department of Natural Resources and Environment (DENR) and Timor-Leste, represented by the Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock, Fisheries and Forestry (MALFF) in collaboration with the Ministry of Tourism and Environment (MTE) and Ministry of State Administration (MSA). The Regional Project Management Unit (RPMU) of the PEMSEA Resource Facility (PRF) of Partnerships in Environmental Management for the Seas of East Asia (PEMSEA) serves as the Secretariat to the RSC.

The RSC meets at least once a year to review project progress, provide strategic direction and guidance, and approve the work plan and budget for the subsequent year’s project activities. The Chair of the RSC rotates among the participating countries. The inaugural RSC meeting in 2023 was chaired by the Government of the Philippines, represented by H.E. Undersecretary Jonas Leones of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR). The second RSC meeting was chaired by the Government of Timor-Leste, represented by Mr. Aleixo Leonito Amaral, Advisor to the Secretary of State for Fisheries, Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock, Fisheries and Forestry (MALFF). For the third RSC, the meeting was chaired by the Philippines, represented by Dr. Al O. Orolfo, Director of the DENR Foreign-Assisted and Special Projects Service (FASPS).

The 3rd RSC Meeting was held via Zoom on 10 December 2025.

The Regional Steering Committee (RSC) meeting is the highest decision making body of the Official Development Assistance (ODA) Project entitled “Reducing Marine Plastics in the East Asian Seas Region” comprised of the donor: the Government of Republic of Korea represented by the Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries (MOF), and the participating countries: the Philippines, represented by the Department of Natural Resources and Environment (DENR) and Timor-Leste, represented by the Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock, Fisheries and Forestry (MALFF) and the Ministry of Tourism and Environment (MTE). The Regional Project Management Unit (RPMU) of the PEMSEA Resource Facility (PRF) of Partnerships in Environmental Management for the Seas of East Asia (PEMSEA) serves as the Secretariat.

The RSC convenes every year to report the progress and approve work plan and budget for the following year’s project activities. The chairmanship is assumed by both participating countries on an alternating basis. This inaugural RSC meeting was organized in Manila, Philippines and chaired by the Government of the Philippines, represented by H.E. Undersecretary Jonas Leones of the DENR.

The Interim RSC Meeting was held on 12 December 2023 via Zoom.