Post-2020 Futures Report and Strategy
PUBLICATION DATE:
Thursday, October 31, 2019
PUBLICATION TYPE:
Reports
STATUS:
Only Available Online
DESCRIPTION:
The East Asian Seas cover approximately 7 million km2 of sea area and 235,000 km of coastline. It is recognized as the center of marine biodiversity globally, being home to 31% of the world’s mangroves, 33% of seagrass beds and a third of the world’s coral reefs. Countries in the East Asian region account for 80% of global aquaculture, and around 60% of the world’s capture fisheries. The region’s seas serve as an important conduit for world trade, connecting 9 of the world’s 10 busiest ports. Moreover, the region is a center of economic growth, home to the 2nd and 3rd largest economies of the world (China and Japan, respectively), and the combined economies of ASEAN, which represent the world’s 5th largest economy and the 3rd largest global market with more than 630 million people.
Partnerships in Environmental Management for the Seas of East Asia (PEMSEA) is a regional organization mandated to promote collaboration towards healthy oceans, people and economies in the East Asian Seas (EAS). Eleven country partners and 21 non-country partners have been working together to implement a shared regional strategy called the Sustainable Development Strategy for the Seas of East Asia (SDS-SEA), which outlines ambitious targets and approaches towards ensuring sustainable and prosperous oceans and coasts in the region.
The adoption of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (UN-SDGs) in 2015 called on the public and private sectors and civil society to focus their efforts and partnership towards addressing the interrelated challenges of sustainable development, with the view of scaling-up solutions and managing resources more effectively. The same is taking place in East Asia as policies, programs, and projects are being aligned in support of the SDGs across the domains of government, business and finance, civil society, development funding and philanthropy.
As PEMSEA celebrates 25 years of helping strengthen regional governance and cooperation, building local capacity and implementing integrated coastal management (ICM), it now looks to the future. Stepping into a post-2020 world, this report seeks to identify the relevant global, regional and national trends that will catalyze change and influence decision-making for the EAS. In this report, key facts and figures on persistent and emerging trends and priority developments present both familiar and new perspectives on the challenges and opportunities that are likely to matter post-2020. This report is part of the process of stocktaking with a view to developing an action plan (roadmap) that would cover both mid- and long-term programs of work. The report’s aim is to help inform PEMSEA’s effective and collaborative engagement towards more sustainable and prosperous oceans and coasts.
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Integrated River Basin Management Project Newsletter - Edition 8
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Proceedings of the 2025 PEMSEA Network of Local Governments (PNLG) Forum "Towards a Sustainable and Inclusive Blue Economy: Linking Climate, Nature and Energy"
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PEMSEA eBulletin - September 2025
Dear PEMSEA community,
Sail through fresh news and stories this September!
In Jakarta, check out the PNLG Forum 2025, where more than 200 participants from nine countries gathered to showcase innovation and collaboration for coastal action, and read about Guimaras Governor Ma. Lucille Ledesma-Nava taking her oath as PNLG President for 2025–2028.
In Manila, know more about the GEF Regional Project Oversight Training which convened Operational Focal Points from Cambodia, Indonesia, Lao PDR, the Philippines, Thailand, and Viet Nam, in collaboration with PEMSEA and the Philippines’ DENR.
In Busan, look back at the 20th anniversary of the Total Pollutant Loading Management System (TPLMS), joined by representatives from MOF, KMI, academic institutions, civil society groups, and discussions from Ms. Nancy Bermas, Regional Project Manager, GEF/UNDP/ASEAN Integrated River Basin Management (IRBM) Project.
In China, read about PEMSEA Resource Facility Executive Director Aimee Gonzales’ presentation on integrated coastal management at the ICM and Maritime Economy Session, and her participation in the 11th Management Committee meeting of the China–PEMSEA Coastal Management Cooperation Center with officials from the Ministry of Natural Resources.
In the Philippines, know more about the MOF/PEMSEA ODA Project on Reducing Marine Plastics in the East Asian Seas Region Regional Steering Committee’s approval of pilot projects to reduce marine plastics in its six sites, and the 7,000 volunteers mobilized for the International Coastal Cleanup.
Taking the global stage, learn how Orange Omengan, Communications and Knowledge Management Specialist of the IRBM Project, connects science with community realities through compelling visual storytelling with the IRBM Project at the GEF IW:LEARN webinar.
To wrap up the month, explore opportunities to join PEMSEA by visiting the careers section.
PEMSEA eBulletin - August 2025
Dear PEMSEA community,
Catch the wave of news and stories this August!
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Discover insights from PEMSEA’s presentation at the FASPS D.R.I.P. Series: Discussions on Results and Innovations of Projects brown bag session, where the team introduced PEMSEA and shared project progress, initiatives, and latest updates.
From Malaysia, see how the Regional Project Management Unit of the Integrated River Basin Management (IRBM) Project advanced work in the Kedah River Basin through high-level discussions, a Water-Energy-Food-Ecosystem (WEFE) Nexus workshop, and a field visit.
Finally, check out PEMSEA’s latest consultancy opportunity on Business Development and Resource Mobilization!
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