Harmonizing Oceans: Transboundary Strategies for Climate Resilience in North-East Asia

Dear PEMSEA community,

Welcome to 2025!

We hope you have recovered from the successes and challenges in 2024 and are ready to step  into the new year with firm resolve to work with us in driving synergistic actions and building resilience across the East Asian Seas region.  

This January, we’re excited to share updates on our ongoing efforts!  Check out  our recent study on Harmonizing Blue Carbon Accounting, comparing practices in Japan, Korea, China, Indonesia,  the Philippines, and VERRA international standards and discover why harmonization is key to effective climate action. Celebrate the milestones of the Marine Plastics ODA Project and the plans for 2025 as we ramp up efforts to tackle marine plastics aligned with global, national, and local targets.

Learn how the East Asian Seas region is fighting the Triple Planetary Crises (TPC) through regional partnerships and stronger collaborations. Discover Yancheng City,  a pioneer in digital-green transformation and PNLG’s newest member. Finally, join PEMSEA and the Philippines in celebrating Zero-Waste Month, promoting sustainable waste management for a cleaner, zero-waste future!

The Korea Maritime Institute (KMI) and ESCAP Subregional Office for
East and North-East Asia jointly organized a session titled “Harmonizing Oceans: Transboundary Strategies for Climate Resilience in North-East Asia”. This session highlighted the role of Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) under the Coastal and Marine Spatial
Planning (CSMP) regime in North-East Asia and beyond in fostering regional resilience against climate impacts and promoting ecosystem conservation.

Key topics included:

• Understanding Climate Change Impacts: Examining how climate change affects marine ecosystems in this region.
• Applying CMSP Strategies: Sharing successful CMSP strategies and their role in climate-related conservation efforts (e.g., blue carbon, community-led habitat restoration).
• Enhancing Transboundary Cooperation: Discussing how multi-stakeholder engagement can strengthen regional conservation initiatives.

Additionally, the session underscored capacity building and knowledge exchange, providing a platform for member States and relevant stakeholders to share best practices and enhance skills for managing MPAs and addressing regional marine environmental challenges.
 

The Sharing Experiences and Best Practice in Sustainable Management of MPAs workshop brought together over 60 marine conservation experts from East Asian Seas countries to enhance collaboration and exchange best practices in Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) and Other Effective Area-Based Conservation Measures (OECMs) management.  

The workshop featured discussions on MPA network design, biodiversity conservation strategies, community-led enforcement, and the role of technology in marine protection. Experts shared insights on strengthening MPA effectiveness, addressing conservation gaps, and aligning efforts with the 30x30 global target.  

A key highlight was the release of four significant studies on marine OECM criteria, MPA monitoring plans, patrol frameworks, and biodiversity conservation gaps. These reports provided valuable guidance for improving conservation planning and management across the region.  

By fostering knowledge exchange and regional cooperation, the workshop contributed to advancing sustainable marine management in alignment with the Sustainable Development Strategy for the Seas of East Asia (SDS-SEA) 2023-2027).

Marine conservation in ASEAN has lagged, with only 4% of marine areas protected—far below the 10% Aichi target. The Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework (KM GBF) now calls for 30% protection by 2030, requiring stronger regional cooperation.

The ASEAN Centre for Biodiversity (ACB) is expanding marine protected areas (MPAs) and transboundary conservation through ecosystem-based management and marine spatial planning. To advance these efforts, ACB hosted the session “Achieving Sustainability through Connectivity for Resilient ASEAN Seas” at the EAS Congress 2024 on 6 November.

The session aimed to:

• Showcase ASEAN’s progress toward the 30x30 target.
• Exchange best practices in marine conservation.
• Highlight youth leadership in sustainability.

With participation from government officials, marine experts, NGOs, and youth, discussions emphasized ecological connectivity, inclusive governance, and collaboration. The event reinforced ASEAN’s commitment to ocean sustainability through regional solutions.
 

The session "Area-based Marine Ecosystem Management for the implementation of Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework", held on November 7, 2024, in Xiamen, China, highlighted innovative strategies to advance marine biodiversity conservation across the East Asian Seas. By addressing the Kunming-Montreal targets, including the ambitious 30x30 objective, the session aligned seamlessly with the EAS Congress theme, "Connecting People and Ocean for Resilient and Sustainable Seas."

The event brought together policymakers, researchers, and key stakeholders to foster collaboration, exchange expertise, and explore actionable pathways toward resilient and thriving marine ecosystems. With its focus on regional implementation linked to global biodiversity and ocean sustainability goals, the session contributed meaningfully to SDG 14, reaffirming a shared commitment to safeguarding marine resources for future generations.