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.

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.

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.

The Second Regional Steering Committee (RSC) meeting of the GEF/UNDP/ASEAN Project
on Reducing Pollution and Preserving Environmental Flows in the East Asian Seas through
the Implementation of Integrated River Basin Management (IRBM) in ASEAN Countries was
organized back-to-back with the 24th Meeting of the ASEAN Working Group on Water Resources
Management (AWGWRM) on 2 July 2024 through a hybrid format, i.e., in-person at Bayon Era
Hotel in Siem Reap, Cambodia and online via Zoom.

Hosted by the Royal Government of Cambodia through the Ministry of Environment (MOE),
the meeting was co-chaired by Mr. Oudomsack Philavong, Chair of the ASEAN Working Group
on Water Resources Management (AWGWRM) and Mr. Gerd Trogemann, Manager of United
Nations Development Programme-Bangkok Regional Hub of Asia and the Pacific (UNDP-BRH).
The meeting was attended by the National Focal Points (NFPs) of the AWGWRM from the
ten (10) ASEAN Member States (AMS), i.e., Brunei Darussalam, Cambodia, Indonesia, Lao
PDR, Malaysia, Philippines, Singapore, Thailand and Viet Nam, the ASEAN Secretariat (ASEC),
the East Asian Seas Executive Committee (EAS EC) and UNDP-BRH. The Regional Project
Management Unit (RPMU), hosted by PEMSEA Resource Facility (PRF) and MOE Cambodia
served as Secretariat to the RSC meeting.

The document contains the proceedings of three back-to-back activities that were conducted in Seoul, Republic of Korea from 31 October to 3 November 2023.

The activities include:

• The 6th Geo Blue Planet Symposium on Digital Solution for Sustainable Ocean Community on October 31
• PEMSEA Learning Exchange on Good Practices in Implementing Biodiversity Conservation-Focused Ecosystem and Area-based Management Approaches on November 1
• The 3rd PEMSEA Network of Learning Centers (PNLC) General Assembly Meeting on November 2

The activities were organized by the PEMSEA Resource Facility (PRF) with support from RoKorea Ministry of Ocean and Fisheries, the Korea Maritime Institute (KMI), and the Korea Management Corporation (KOEM), and the Korea Blue Carbon Research Center.

Participants include 39 representatives from 17 of the 21 PNLC members, officers, and staff from KMI, KOEM, the Korea Blue Carbon Research Center, and the PEMSEA Resource Facility (PRF).

The First Regional Steering Committee (RSC) meeting of the GEF/UNDP/ASEAN Project on Reducing Pollution and Preserving Environmental Flows in the East Asian Seas through the Implementation of Integrated River Basin Management in ASEAN Countries (IRBM Project) was held on February 17, 2023 in hybrid format, i.e., in-person component at Park Inn by Radisson in Manila, Philippines and via video conference (Zoom). The meeting was attended by the Chair of the ASEAN Working Group on Water Resources Management (AWGWRM); National Focal Points (NFPs) of the AWGWRM of Cambodia, Lao PDR, Malaysia, Philippines and Viet Nam; representatives from the ASEAN Secretariat; the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) – Regional Bureau for Asia and the Pacific, Bangkok Regional Hub and UNDP Country Office in Indonesia and Lao PDR and the East Asian Seas Executive Committee (EAS EC). The Regional Project Management Unit (RPMU), hosted by PEMSEA Resource Facility (PRF), served as Secretariat to the RSC.

The 2nd RTF meeting was a follow through to the 1st RTF meeting that was convened in April 2022, which endorsed the establishment of a Regional Task Force and the development of a Regional Strategy on Biofouling Management in the East Asian Seas (EAS) region. Since then, a draft Regional Strategy on Biofouling Management has been prepared and circulated to the countries, nongovernment, academic and private sector partners for review. The 2nd RTF meeting aims to further review the draft Regional Strategy and discuss its implementation, as well as to take into consideration the countries and private sectors’ on-going programs or initiatives on biofouling and IAS management.

The 2nd PNLC General Assembly was organized by the Partnerships in Environmental Management for the Seas of East Asia (PEMSEA) Resource Facility on 27 June 2022 via Zoom. It convened a total of 30 participants from: eight PNLC members from 5 countries (China, Indonesia, Philippines, Thailand, and Timor-Leste); five observing research and higher education institutions from 5 countries (Hong Kong SAR, Indonesia, Philippines, Thailand, and Viet Nam); and PEMSEA Resource Facility (PRF). The event was chaired by Dr. Wansuk Senanan, the incumbent President of the PNLC and Assistant Professor at the Department of Aquatic Sciences in Burapha University (BUU), Thailand. PRF served as the Secretariat of the meeting.

The UN World Ocean Assessment has confirmed the role of Invasive Aquatic Species (IAS) as a major driver for biodiversity change in the world’s freshwater, coastal and marine ecosystem[1]. Globally, about 2,000 marine species have been introduced to new locations through human-mediated movements. When they become invasive, most of them have had negative ecological, socioeconomic and human health impacts. With increased trade and climate change, biological invasions are likely to increase. The main vectors for unintentional transfer of invasive aquatic species are ships' ballast water, biofouling of mobile marine structures and aquaculture.