UNOPS Becomes Executing Agency of the PEMSEA Regional Programme

Quezon City, Philippines — Effective 1 April 2008, the United Nations Office for Project Services (UNOPS) became the Executing Agency of the PEMSEA Regional Programme.Effective 1 April 2008, the United Nations Office for Project Services (UNOPS) became the Executing Agency of the PEMSEA Regional Programme.With the entry of PEMSEA into its new phase and the approval of the GEF/UNDP/UNOPS/PEMSEA Project on the Implementation of the Sustainable Development Strategy for the Seas of East Asia (SDS-SEA), a new implementing arrangement was set in place, with United Nations Development Programme serving as the implementing agency, UNOPS as Executing Agency, and the PEMSEA Resource Facility (PRF) providing day-to-day management and coordinating function for the project activities.UNOPS' expertise in providing services and assistance on operations management will contribute significantly in the successful implementation of the SDS-SEA. UNOPS has also catered to the needs of various UN agencies and programmes, providing various management and administrative services such as procurement, loan supervision and certification and contract management.Prior to the entry of UNOPS, the PEMSEA Regional Programme was executed from 1994 to March 2008) by the International Maritime Organization (IMO). As PEMSEA transforms into a country-supported regional mechanism and pursues the implementation of the SDS-SEA, its scope and areas of activities have moved beyond the mandate of IMO. As a key partner of PEMSEA, IMO welcomed these developments and expressed full support and engagement to future activities of PEMSEA in the region.