Vice Chairman of the People’s Committee of Da Nang City elected to become the new President of the PEMSEA Network of Local Governments for sustainable coastal development (PNLG)

 

Da Nang, the 01st December 2021

 

On the first of December 2021, the 2021 Annual Forum of the PEMSEA Network of Local Governments for sustainable coastal development (PNLG) was hosted by the Provincial Administration Preah Sihanouk in Cambodia and co-organised by the PNLG Secretariat and PEMSEA Resource Facility (PRF). The event was attended by representatives of 52 local government members from 10 countries (Cambodia, People’s Republic of, Indonesia, Japan, Malaysia, the Philippines, Republic of Korea, Thailand, Timor-Leste and Viet Nam) and 3 associate members, alongside non-governmental organisations (NGOs) and development agencies.

 

An Integrated Coastal Management (ICM) programme supported by the Partnerships in Environmental Management for the Seas of East Asia (PEMSEA) has been implemented in Da Nang since the 2000s, and has made significant contributions to the effective management of natural resources and the environment in the coastal area of Da Nang City. The PEMSEA Network of Local Governments for sustainable coastal development (PNLG) is a regional community of local governments that are working towards sustainable growth and development in the East Asian Region through ICM. In 2006, Da Nang was inducted to the PNLG as one of its founding members. The PNLG currently has 52 local government members from 10 countries.

 

The Forum of the PEMSEA Network of Local Governments (PNLG) is held annually and is hosted by its members on a rotating basis. Despite challenges posed by the COVID-19 all over the world in general and across the East Asian Seas region, the Provincial Administration Preah Sihanouk in Cambodia hosted the 2021 PNLG Forum on the first of December 2021 with the theme “Networking for a New Ocean Decade of Hope” as part of the line-up of activities under the East Asian Seas (EAS) Congress 2021.

 

 

The Provincial Administration Preah Sihanouk (Cambodia) hosted the 2021 PNLG Forum

 

This year’s Forum convened all PNLG members for a General Assembly focusing on the review of the 2021 work summary and 2022 work plan of the PNLG; signing of the PNLG Declaration adopting the 2022-2025 PNLG Strategic Action Plan (SAP); election of new PNLG officers; induction of new PNLG members; and announcement of Tangerang Regency (Indonesia) as the local government host of the 2022 PNLG Forum.

 

With the great efforts of Da Nang in ICM implementation over the past two decades and the consensus of the PNLG members, Dr. Le Quang Nam – the Vice Chairman of the People’s Committee was honoured to be elected as the President of the PNLG for the new term (2022-2025). Speaking at the inauguration, Dr. Le Quang Nam – the Vice Chairman of People’s Committee, New President of the PNLG – affirmed that over the next three years, he and Mr. Ahmed Zaki Iskandar – New Vice President of the PNLG – would continue to build on their strengths while taking on new directions and partnerships, taking advantage of the recognition that they are receiving as a result of our good practices in ICM implementation collectively as a network, and individually as local governments. Dr. Le emphasises, ‘Let us continue to position the PNLG as an essential platform for good governance by participating actively in the annual forum and share the good practices, lessons learned and facilitate peer learning on ICM implementation.’

 

 

Dr. Le Quang Nam – the Vice Chairman of People’s Committee, New President of the PNLG read his Oath of Office

 

 

City’s leaders congratulated Dr. Le Quang Nam on his new role as President of the PNLG for the term 2022-2025

 

According to Mr Vo Nguyen Chuong – the Deputy Director of Da Nang Department of Natural Resources and Environment, Dr. Le Quang Nam – the Vice Chairman of the People’s Committee becoming the New President of the PNLG demonstrates the confidence and trust placed in the city to lead the network over the next three years, which is a very important and challenging role. This will further enhance the position and role of Da Nang in the sustainable development of the seas of East Asia and, at the same time, strengthen international cooperation in the field of marine resources and the environment in the future. In the context of increasing global marine environmental degradation and climate change, this will be an opportunity for Da Nang City – a dynamic locality with great potential for cooperation and integration activities with other countries and international organizations – to promote sustainable economic, social and environmental development.