Download the East Asian Seas (EAS) Congress 2015 program to read about the events, workshops, roundtable discussions and ministerial meetings that took place in Danang, Vietnam.

PEMSEA and VASI co‐convened the ICM Forum and Workshop on the Message of Viet Nam as one of the Special Events of the Congress. The forum was held on 19 November 2015 and was attended by representatives from international organizations, national agencies and coastal provinces.

The first set of presentations looked at the various transboundary concerns in the region that would require regional cooperation and the initiatives being undertaken by Viet Nam in conformity with international norms and agreements on ocean and coastal governance. The second set of presentations reviewed the evolution of ICM practices in Viet Nam and examined the efforts of various agencies that contributed to strengthening ICM implementation in the country.

The 9th National Contact Points Meeting on the Implementation of the Framework Programme for Joint Oil Spill Preparedness, Response and Cooperation in the Gulf of Thailand was held on 17 November 2015 at Furama Resort Hotel, Da Nang, Viet Nam. The Meeting was held as a side event of the East Asian Seas Congress 2015.

Twenty (20) key officials representing the Merchant Marine Department and Ministry of Environment of Cambodia, Marine Department of Thailand, Thailand Oil Industry Environmental Safety Group (IESG), Vietnam National Search and Rescue Committee (VINASARCOM), Vietnam Administration for Seas and Islands (VASI), and Vietnam National Southern Oil Spill Response Center (NASOS) participated in the meeting. The Partnerships on Environmental Management for the Seas of East Asia (PEMSEA) was represented in the meeting.

This workshop aimed to: (a) highlight the need for, and critical role to be played by cities and local governments in the region to lead the way in sustainable development including combating climate change; (b) increase awareness on the progress, achievements and good practices in sustainable development and climate change mitigation and adaptation among cities and local governments in the region using ICM as the management framework for action; and (c) explore the solutions and opportunities for sustainable development at the region’s local settings by strengthening PNLG initiatives in sustainable development and climate change through linkages with other international networks of cities and local governments and their programs.

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 2015 Annual Forum of PEMSEA Network of Local Governments for Sustainable Coastal Development (PNLG) was held at Pullman Hotel, Da Nang City, Viet Nam, on 20 November 2015. The People’s Committee of Da Nang City hosted the Forum.

The Forum was attended by representatives from 26 of the 40 PNLG Regular Members, namely: Cambodia (Sihanoukville); China (Beihai, Changyi, Dongying, Fangchenggang, Pingtan, Quanzhou, Wenzhou, and Xiamen); Indonesia (Bali Province, Buleleng Regency, and Sukabumi  regency); Japan (Shima), Malaysia (Northern Selangor, Port Klang, and Sepang); Philippines (Bataan, Batangas, Cavite and Guimaras); RO Korea (Ansan and Changwon); Thailand (Chonburi); and Viet Nam (Da Nang, Quang Nam, and Thua Thien Hue). Representatives from the two Associate Members, i.e., First Institute of Oceanography (FIO) of the State Oceanic Administration (SOA) and Coastal and Ocean Management Institute (COMI) of Xiamen University, China, also attended the event.

Representatives from various local governments and institutions participated as observers, including: Cambodia (Kampot, Kep, and Koh Kong); China (State Oceanic Administration); Japan (Obama City and Omura City); Lao PDR (Champasack Province, Saravanne Province, and Sekong Province); Philippines (Bataan Coastal Care Foundation, Inc.); and Timor‐Leste (Dili Municipality and Liquiça Municipality).

The concept of blue economy is evolving as the ocean space is changing dramatically, driven by innovations, new industries, shifting demands, and pressures from changing environment and climate.

The workshop aimed to:

a. create understanding of the blue economy through country presentations of ocean-based and ocean‐related economic activities, and their contribution to national economies;

b. examine the sustainability of such activities through valuation of ecosystem services and damages;

c. identify on‐going investments in innovative practices and technologies that contribute to blue economy development, address environmental and resource degradation and climate change impacts, and make economic activities more environmentally sound;

d. discuss the development of a road map and policy recommendations for institutionalizing ocean economy and environment accounting, promoting blue economy investments and innovations, formulating a blue economy approach to sustainable development of coasts and oceans, and monitoring and reporting progress and gaps.