The workshop emphasized the major contributions of the maritime transport sector to a blue economy for the East Asian Seas region and the corresponding risks and potential negative impacts to the marine environment resulting from increased demand for maritime services. As emphasized in the introduction by the Workshop Chair, Mr. Brian Sullivan, IPIECA, 80% of world trade is conveyed through the ocean and 32% of the world’s hydrocarbons are derived from the ocean floor. While there is great potential for growth in the maritime economy, it also brings corresponding risks such as the impacts of sea incidents to oceans and seas. Oil spills, air emissions from ships, transport of hazardous and noxious substances and climate change were among the emerging environmental concerns in the maritime sector, which were discussed during the workshop.

The workshop also featured programmes and initiatives of international and regional organizations and projects, selected national maritime administrations, port industry association and oil and gas industry organizations, which demonstrated commitments to promoting environmental sustainability in the maritime sector including: preventing and reducing the impact of oil spills from tanker accidents; climate change mitigation measures; initiatives in promoting safety and health of workers and reducing environmental risks in port areas, including air emissions from shipping and port operations; and building capacities in oil spill preparedness and response through government‐industry partnerships.

The Fifth Ministerial Forum on the Sustainable Development of the Seas of East Asia, the culminating event of the East Asian Seas (EAS) Congress 2015, was held at the Furama Resort in Da Nang, Viet Nam on 20 November 2015. The Fifth Ministerial Forum was hosted by the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment of Viet Nam. Participating in the forum were 11 Ministers and heads of delegations from the East Asian countries, and about 80 observers from among the PEMSEA Non‐Country Partners, together with the members of PEMSEA’s East Asian Seas Partnership Council Executive Committee, representatives from PEMSEA’s sponsoring agencies, the Global Environment Facility (GEF), United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and the World Bank, and other representatives from the local governments and the private sector.

Eleven Ministers and heads of delegations present at the forum affixed their signatures to the Da Nang Compact on the Sustainable Development Strategy for the Seas of East Asia 2015, reflecting the firm commitment of the countries of the East Asian Seas region to move the global sustainable development agenda forward.

The Workshop on Scaling up ICM: Innovations and Impacts at Local, National, and Regional Levels under Session 2, with presentations and discussions on national and local experiences from countries and various programs and projects in the region, served as a venue for taking stock of lessons learned, good practices, impacts and benefits of ICM implementation, challenges and gaps, and key actions to promote replication and scaling up of good practices and innovations.

The workshop consisted of presentations and panel discussions organized into four parts as follows:

• Part 1A: Good Practices, Innovation and Impacts in ICM Applications at the Local Level
• Part 1B: Good Practices, Innovation and Impacts in ICM Applications in Japan
• Part 2: Good Practices, Innovations and Impacts in ICM applications for MPA and MPA Networks
• Part 3: Transferring and Scaling up of ICM Good Practices and Innovations
   

The EAS Youth Forum Toolkit served as a guide for the youth participants during the East Asian Seas (EAS) Congress 2015. It contains useful information on the activities for the youth, as well as details about the speakers and presentations at the 4th Youth Forum.