Rooted in Partnerships: EAS Congress 2024 Exhibition Pays Homage to 30 Years of Regional Cooperation

_{The ribbon cutting ceremony for the opening of the EAS Congress 2024 Exhibition. From Left: Mr. Wu Bin, Mayor of Xiamen; Dr. Vann Monyneath, Chair of the East Asian Seas Partnership Council; Mr. Sun Shuxian, Vice Minister of Natural Resources; and Mr. Wei Xiaokui, senior leader from Fujian Province.} 

The East Asian Seas Congress 2024 Exhibition opened with the unveiling of the “Rooted in Partnerships” exhibit celebrating three decades of intergovernmental collaboration of Partnerships in Environmental Management for the Seas of East Asia (PEMSEA) held at the Xiamen International Convention Center on 6 November 2024.

The ceremony was marked by a formal ribbon-cutting led by Mr. Wu Bin, Mayor of Xiamen; Dr. Vann Monyneath, Chair of the East Asian Seas Partnership Council; Mr. Sun Shuxian, Vice Minister of Natural Resources; and Mr. Wei Xiaokui, senior leader representing the Fujian Province. 

They were joined by the Heads of Delegations from ten PEMSEA country partners from the People’s Republic of China, Cambodia, Indonesia, Japan, Lao PDR, the Philippines, the Republic of Korea, Singapore, Timor-Leste, Viet Nam, and PEMSEA Resource Facility (PRF) Executive Director, Aimee Gonzales. 

The event highlighted PEMSEA’s role in fostering collaboration among its partner countries, emphasizing that collective efforts remain essential in addressing the critical and urgent challenges facing coastal and marine environment in the region.

Cooperation Takes Root, Blue-Green Life Grows Together

_{Xiamen officials and Heads of Delegation from 10 PEMSEA country partners stand against the backdrop of the mangrove-inspired centerpiece.}

Inspired by the ecological transformation of Xiatanwei Mangrove Park which started as a barren land and now a flourishing ecosystem, the exhibit’s centerpiece recreated a mangrove forest, “Rooted in Partnerships,” which emulates the intertwined roots of mangroves, representing the interconnectedness of regional cooperation.
 

_{PRF Executive Director Aimee Gonzales  delivers her speech at the opening of the exhibition.}

“Just like the interconnected roots [of mangrove forests], PEMSEA has demonstrated how intergovernmental collaboration can effectively can create something far greater than the sum of its parts - an EAS region that is stronger, more resilient, and more effective in promoting the sustainable development of its ocean and coasts and advancing blue economy,” said Ms. Gonzales.
 

_{Delegates being briefed on the exhibit’s centerpiece.}

 

_{Officials view the exhibit panels which includes interactive sensory elements featuring visual and audio components.}

 

_{Delegates view PEMSEA country partners' initiatives in advancing regional marine conservation and sustainable development.}

 

The centerpiece also delivered a strong environmental message as it showcased the role of mangroves as essential habitats for wildlife, natural barriers against typhoons, and critical carbon absorbers in the fight against climate change. It drew attention to their role in supporting the livelihoods of coastal communities.
 

The Xiamen Wishing Tree

At the heart of the exhibition stood the “Xiamen Wishing Tree,” a miniature mangrove tree inviting Heads of Delegation and participants to place messages expressing their aspirations for the East Asian Seas region. Each wooden tag represents their commitment to sustainable development, collectively forming a vision for greater impact through collaboration and partnerships.
 

Exhibition Booths

_{Ms. Chen Danhong, Vice Minister Mr. Sun Shuxian, and Ms. Aimee Gonzales, stop by the booth of ASEAN Centre for Biodiversity.}

Following the ceremony, Ms. Gonzales led a guided tour of the exhibition, where delegates explored over 50 booths and engaged with a diverse range of stakeholders, including PEMSEA collaborators, non-country partners, local governments, the PEMSEA Network of Learning Centers, universities, pharmaceutical companies, and marine resource industries.

The exhibition booths ranged from cutting-edge technologies on marine conservation to best practices in marine conservation and blue economy initiatives. The exhibition served as a platform for networking and exchanging knowledge, featuring innovations in marine pollution control, sustainable fisheries, coastal resilience, and ocean-based renewable energy. 
 

_{Delegates explore the exhibition booths, engaging with initiatives from across the region.}

 

_{CCMRS – IPB University showcasing locally-made products from Bogor, Indonesia}

 

_{Delegates visit the PEMSEA booth, exploring PEMSEA’s initiatives in the region.}

 

_{PRF staff show off their charming poses in front of the PEMSEA booth.}

 

The EAS Congress 2024 Exhibition was held in parallel with the International Conference and provided a forward-looking perspective on ocean sustainability while fostering renewed collaborations among stakeholders.

PEMSEA wish to thank the following exhibitors for showcasing their solutions and products: 

Anjoy Foods Group Co. Ltd.
ASEAN Centre for Biodiversity (ACB)
ATSEA-2
Blue Nature Alliance
Center for Coastal Marine Resources Studies IPB University (CCMRS IPB)
CHINA-PEMSEA Sustainable Coastal Management Cooperation Center
Dongying Municipal Bureau of Ocean Development and Fisheries
First Institute of Oceanography, MNR
Fisheries Research Institute of Fujian
Fourth Institute of Oceanography, Ministry of Natural Resources, China
Fujian Institute of Oceanography
Goldensun (China) Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd
Guangxi Academy of Oceanography 
Island Research Center, MNR
Jimei University
National Marine Data and Information Service (NMDIS)
National Ocean Technology Center
National Satellite Ocean Application Service (NSOAS)
Oil Spill Response Limited
PEMSEA Network of Learning Centers
Second Institute of Oceanography, MNR
SEE Foundation
The Institute of Seawater Desalination and Multipurpose Utilization, MNR
The Republic of Korea MOF/Korea Institute of Ocean Science and Technology)
The Republic of Korea (MOF/Korean Marine Environment Management Corporation)
Third Institute of Oceanography, MNR
UN Decade Collaborative Centre on Ocean-Climate Nexus and Coordination (DCC-OCC)
Wild Aid
Xiamen Bioendo Technology Co.,Ltd.
Xiamen Bluebay Science & Technology Co.,Ltd.
Xiamen Canco BIOTECH Co., Ltd. 
Xiamen Chengheng Oriental Co., Ltd.
Xiamen Huison Biotech Co.,Ltd
Xiamen Medical College
Xiamen Oamic Biotechnology Co.,Ltd.
Xiamen Ocean Vocational College
Xiamen University
Xiamen Yuanzhidao Biotechnology Co.,Ltd.
Zhejiang University