The Philippines Announces the Hosting of the East Asian Seas Congress 2009

Manila, Philippines — The Government of the Philippines through the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) announced today, 5 June 2008, its hosting of the East Asian Seas (EAS) Congress 2009, to be held in Manila on 23-27 November 2009 at the Philippine International Convention Center. Through a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) between DENR and the Partnerships in Environmental Management for the Seas of East Asia (PEMSEA), the Philippines formalized its commitment to host the international event and provide the necessary in-country support and preparations. The MOA was signed between DENR Secretary Jose L. Atienza, Jr. and PEMSEA Executive Director Raphael P. M. Lotilla.To ensure the successful organization and conduct of the EAS Congress 2009, a National Organizing Committee (NOC) led by the DENR has been organized with support from key government agencies including, Foreign Affairs, Tourism, Budget and Management, Interior and Local Government, Office of the President, Customs, Metro Manila Development Authority, Manila International Airport and the Philippine Information Agency.In line with the EAS Congress theme, "Partnerships at Work: Local Implementation and Good Practices," Mr. Lotilla emphasized the importance of the Congress as it will highlight initiatives at the local level, as well as review progress of the East Asian region with respect to the implementation of the Sustainable Development Strategy for the Seas of East Asia (SDS-SEA), the regional blueprint adopted by the countries of East Asia to ensure the sustainability of the East Asian Seas. Secretary Atienza reinforced the department's commitment to the environment by balancing out the energy used, travels made and waste produced by the conference through offsetting activities such as tree-planting.Also in attendance to witness the signing ceremony are DENR regional directors, bureau and service directors, and PEMSEA officers and staff.The East Asian Seas Congress 2009 is supported by the Global Environment Facility, the United Nations Development Programme, and the United Nations Office for Project Services and the Coastal Management Center.If you wish to know more about the EAS Congress 2009, please email congress@pemsea.org or eascongress@gmail.com.