Blue Economy Bulletin February 2018
PUBLICATION DATE:
Tuesday, February 27, 2018
PUBLICATION TYPE:
Magazines and Newsletters
STATUS:
Available (Newsletter)
DESCRIPTION:
2018 promises to be a pivotal year for blue economy development in the Seas of East Asia, as PEMSEA and its partners celebrate 25 years of progress in working towards a shared vision of healthy oceans, people and economies. We are excited to share the first issue of the Blue Economy Bulletin for 2018.
Preparations are underway for PEMSEA’s triennial East Asian Seas Congress to be held in Iloilo City, Philippines from November 27-30. As calls for private sector funding to contribute to the SDGs continue to increase, the 6th EAS Congress will focus on ushering in better, stronger and smarter regional actions, aligned with the global ocean agenda. Applications are open for organizations to host “Partnership Hub” side events, deadline for applications is March 16th.
Kicking off the year, Thailand held its National Inception Workshop in February to mobilize scaling up of the Sustainable Development Strategy for the Seas of East Asia. PEMSEA joined the Philippine Department of Environment and Natural Resources and other key environmental groups in the launch of the International Year of the Reefs. At the joint ADB, UN Environment and UN ESCAP workshop on integrating environmental SDGs, PEMSEA's Executive Director Aimee Gonzales shared how the UN Ocean goal is implemented at the local level.
Elsewhere in the region, Brunei explored bilateral opportunities for blue economy development. The UN announced a Business Action Platform for the Ocean, and calls for private sector funding to contribute to the SDGs increases, including blended capital approaches to support sustainable fisheries. Green bonds, which hold promise for financing sustainable development of marine assets, are under the spotlight for accountability and transparency.
Follow the us on Facebook and Twitter (@PEMSEA) for the latest updates. We welcome your feedback, and please let us know if there are other blue economy topics you would like to see in future newsletters and programs.
RELATED PUBLICATIONS
-
8th East Asian Seas (EAS) Ministerial Forum
The 8th East Asian Seas (EAS) Ministerial Forum was held on 6 November 2024 at the Xiamen International Convention Center, PR China, as part of the East Asian Seas Congress 2024. Hosted by the Ministry of Natural Resources of China and organized by PEMSEA, the forum was attended by Heads of Delegation from 10 PEMSEA Country Partners, members of the PEMSEA Executive Committee, representatives from Non-Country Partners, and other collaborators. The event highlighted the key points of the Xiamen Ministerial Declaration, reinforcing commitments to sustainable ocean governance and the implementation of the SDS-SEA.
-
EASC2024 Congress Report
The East Asian Seas Congress 2024, in collaboration with the World Ocean Week in Xiamen, convened in Xiamen, China from November 6-8, bringing together 855 delegates from 20 countries. Under the theme "Blue Synergy for a Shared Future: One Sustainable and Resilient Ocean," the Congress resulted in the signing of the Xiamen Ministerial Declaration, renewed partnerships, and strengthened commitments for sustainable ocean management in the East Asian region.
-
Capacity Building Workshop on the Global Estuaries Monitoring (GEM) Programme Proceedings
The Global Estuaries Monitoring (GEM) Programme extended a formal invitation to all existing and potential partners to participate in an exclusive workshop meticulously crafted to provide a comprehensive update on the latest advancements and achievements within the GEM initiative. This workshop serves as a pivotal
platform for attendees to acquaint themselves with ongoing projects within GEM, delve into the innovative development of passive samplers, and collaboratively design the forthcoming phase of the GEM Programme.
Throughout this workshop, participants can expect:
- Detailed updates on the progress and notable achievements of the GEM Programme.
- Insightful sessions focusing on the groundbreaking development of novel passive samplers.
- Engaging discussions aimed at collectively shaping the future trajectory of the GEM Programme.
Prospective attendees were warmly encouraged to join this significant event, where
knowledge-sharing, exploration, and collaborative planning converge to steer the
Global Estuaries Monitoring Programme towards heightened success and impact. -
Yellow Sea Biosphere Conservation Cooperation Proceedings
The Yellow Sea is a maritime area shared by three countries, Republic of Korea, China, and Democratic People's Republic of Korea, and it contributes significantly to social and economic aspects. The Yellow Sea is a crucial habitat for migratory species such as marine mammals and migratory birds. Recently, China and Korea have been making efforts to protect their coastal areas by registering as UNESCO World Natural Heritage sites. Notably, the countries that share the Yellow Sea agree on the necessity for joint cooperation to preserve it. In this session, the policies, actions, and pending tasks of the Republic of Korea and China for Yellow Sea ecosystem conservation will be introduced, along with the discussion.
-
Training Workshop on Pollution Assessment and Management (PAM)
The PAM training workshop aimed to foster collaboration and knowledge exchange among environmental scientists and practitioners from East Asian Seas countries. With over 20 participants, the event provided a platform for discussing the latest advancements in environmental risk assessment (ERA) and management techniques.
The training session focused on new pollutants, such as per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFASs), antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs), and their impacts on marine ecosystems and public health. Discussions provided participants with a comprehensive understanding of these emerging challenges and equipped them with the knowledge to develop local solutions to global environmental issues. The workshop facilitated active engagement and collaboration, allowing participants to share their experiences and expertise in ERA and environmental management. This exchange of information and best practices was instrumental in enhancing the collective understanding of environmental risks and fostering a collaborative approach to addressing them.