EAS Congress to Tackle Impacts of Coastal Reclamation and Foreshore Management

Quezon City, Philippines — To cope with the increasing demand for economic space brought on by development and migration to coastal cities, countries in the East Asian Seas region have engaged in coastal reclamation projects and foreshore developments. While a number of developments have been undertaken in the region, their impacts particularly on the coastal and marine resources and environment have not been given much attention. Both government and stakeholder partners of PEMSEA have recognized the need to look into the issues of coastal reclamation, foreshore management, and land and sea-use zoning as key emerging issues within the region. A consensus was reached during the recently concluded 2nd East Asian Seas Partnership Council Meeting to undertake a more extensive review and knowledge sharing on the trends, impacts, benefits and good approaches related to these issues at the East Asian Seas (EAS) Congress 2009.The International Conference on Sustainable Coastal and Ocean Development of the 2009 Congress will feature land- and sea-use zoning, coastal reclamation and foreshore management as one of the key topics under the Coastal and Ocean Governance theme. The session hopes to look into the pace of changes made and effects of such issues in the region, highlight good examples and practices and provide recommendations for necessary policy development and implementation. The workshop is expected to be participated in by various sectors representing the governments as well as the scientific and business communities, and local, national and regional organizations.Hosted by the Government of the Philippines, the Congress will be held on 23-27 November at the Philippine International Convention Center (PICC), Manila, with the theme: "Partnerships at Work: Local Implementation and Good Practices."To learn more about the International Conference or to register, please click here. The EAS Congress website welcomes stories, good practices or lessons learned related to Coastal and Ocean Governance.