The Project Steering Committee Meeting of the GEF/UNDP/PEMSEA Project on Scaling up Implementation of the SDS-SEA was held at The Peninsula Manila, Makati City, Philippines on July 24, 2018. The Meeting was attended by representatives from seven project participating countries, namely: China, Indonesia, Lao PDR, Philippines, Thailand, Timor-Leste and Vietnam. Representatives from the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) Philippines and the UNDP Regional Hub Bangkok were present on behalf of the Global Environment Facility (GEF) and United Nations Development Programme (UNDP). The PEMSEA Resource Facility (PRF) served as the Secretariat for the Meeting.

The PSC Meeting focused on the key findings and recommendations of the Project Mid-Term Review, the key accomplishments in countries, and the project work plan and budget for 2018- 2019.

DOCUMENT NUMBER    DOCUMENT TITLE
PSC/18/DOC/01              Country Progress Report: Cambodia
PSC/18/DOC/02              Country Progress Report: China
PSC/18/DOC/03              Country Progress Report: Indonesia
PSC/18/DOC/04              Country Progress Report: Lao PDR
PSC/18/DOC/05              Country Progress Report: Philippines
PSC/18/DOC/06              Country Progress Report: Thailand
PSC/18/DOC/07              Country Progress Report: Timor-Leste
PSC/18/DOC/08              Country Progress Report: Viet Nam
PSC/18/DOC/09              Regional Progress Report: Self-Sustainability
PSC/18/DOC/10              Regional Progress Report: Capacity Development
PSC/18/DOC/11              Regional Progress Report: Gulf of Thailand and Oil Spill Preparedness Response
PSC/18/DOC/12              Regional Progress Report: PSHEMS
PSC/18/DOC/13              Mid-Term Review Report
 

The PNLG Forum 2017 was hosted by the Local Government of Sanya City, Hainan, PR China, from December 5-6, 2017 at the Sanya Visun Royal Yacht Hotel. With the theme, “Conservation to Ecological Restoration of Coastal Areas for Blue Economy” the PNLG Forum gathered over 120 delegates from 31 local governments in 9 countries (Cambodia, China, Indonesia, Malaysia, Philippines, RO Korea, Thailand, Timor-Leste and Vietnam), as well as representatives from the PNLG associate members (Coastal and Ocean Management Institute and First Institute of Oceanography of the State Oceanic Administration of China).

Decision-makers and leading experts from ministries, industry, academe and international organizations came together for the first regional Blue Economy Forum, which was held on 14-15 November 2017 in Bangkok, Thailand. The East Asian Seas (EAS) region is a center of marine biodiversity as well as a center of economic growth, but there are complex pressures and threats affecting the state of ocean health and ocean economy. Co-organized by PEMSEA, the Thailand Research Fund, and the Department of Marine and Coastal Resources (DMCR), Ministry of Natural Resource and Environment (MONRE) Thailand, the two-day forum introduced 10 national and 4 sub-regional State of Oceans and Coasts reports, or SOCs, which focused on the vital role that oceans and marine ecosystems play in economic development, trade, welfare, resiliency, and food, water and energy security across the EAS region. The participants concluded that business as usual is no longer an option in the face of changing environment and climate. They underscored the need to prioritize critical challenges and recognize economic growth and healthy oceans as compatible propositions. Interesting actions, innovations, and partnerships taking place in the region demonstrate the huge potential for blue economy, and workable solutions towards achieving sustainable oceans and coasts for all.

The Project Steering Committee Meeting of the GEF/UNDP/PEMSEA Project on Scaling up Implementation of the SDS-SEA was held at Makati Diamond Residences Hotel, Makati City, Philippines on July 24, 2017. The Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) of the Philippines co-hosted the Meeting. The Meeting was attended by representatives from eight project participating countries, namely: Cambodia, China, Indonesia, Lao PDR, Philippines, Thailand, Timor-Leste and Vietnam. Representatives from Japan and RO Korea were also present as observers and co-financing countries to PEMSEA. Representatives from the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) Philippines and the UNDP Regional Hub Bangkok were present on behalf of the Global Environment Facility and UNDP. The PEMSEA Resources Facility (PRF) served as the Secretariat for the Meeting.

The PSC Meeting focused on the status of the project implementation, challenges, opportunities, the regional and national work plans and budget for 2017-2018, and actions to be taken to address gaps.

Agenda
Cambodia Report
China Report
Indonesia Report
Lao PDR Report
Philippines Report
Thailand Report
Timor Leste Report
Vietnam Report
Regional Report
SDS Work Plan and Budget 2017-2018

The Ocean Leadership Roundtable was organized as a special event at the 9th EAS Partnership Council Meeting on 26 July 2017 at the Makati Diamond Residences, Makati City, Philippines. The Roundtable was convened by PEMSEA and co-hosted by the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) Philippines.

The Roundtable was chaired by Dr. Antonio La Viña, Chair of the EAS Partnership Council. The 9th EAS Partnership Council Meeting delegates from eleven countries (Cambodia, China, Indonesia, Japan, Lao PDR, Philippines, RO Korea, Singapore, Thailand, Timor Leste and Vietnam) and from eleven organizations (ACB, CI Phils, IPIECA, IUCN-MFF, KOEM, MABIK, OPRI-SPF, OSRL, PML, YSLME and UNDP) were in attendance, together with the members of the PEMSEA Executive Committee. The PEMSEA Resource Facility served as Secretariat to the Roundtable.

The resource persons for the Roundtable were: Dr. Stephen Crooks, Principal, Silvestrum Climate Associates; Ms. Justine Leigh-Bell, Director Market Development, Climate Bonds Initiative; Dr. Veerle Vandeweerd, Entrepreneur, Former Director, UNEP and Former Director, Environment and Energy, UNDP; and Dr. Ger Bergkamp, President & CEO, ARCOWA.

This 1-day workshop brought together investment professionals, financiers, development organizations, local and national government officials, project proponents, business organizations and others to provide background on blue economy investment in the region and explore the potential for developing a pipeline of bankable investment opportunities.

The PNLG Forum 2016 was hosted by the City Government of Ansan, RO Korea, from September 5-7, 2016 at the Ansan Culture and Art Center. Carrying the theme of “Sustainable Future Cities in the Coastal Area through UN SDGs”, the PNLG Forum 2016 assembled over 100 representatives from 30 local governments in 8 countries (Cambodia, China, Indonesia, Philippines, RO Korea, Thailand and Vietnam), as well as representatives from the PNLG associate members (Coastal and Ocean Management Institute and First Institute of Oceanography of the State Oceanic Administration of China). Observers were also present from Dili, Manatuto, Liquica of Timor Leste, and the Marine Biology Institute of Shandong Province, China.

The 2016 Forum adopted the PNLG Strategic Action Plan (SAP) 2016-2021, which aligned the ICM programs of the PNLG members with relevant UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly SDG 6 (Water and Sanitation), SDG 11 (Sustainable Communities and Cities), SDG 13 (Climate Action), SDG 14 (Life Below Water), and SDG 17 (Partnership building). PNLG membership was expanded to a total of 45, with the induction of five new members from Kampot, Kep, and Koh Kong Provinces, Cambodia; Tangerang Regency, Indonesia; and Sanya City, China.

The Project Steering Committee Meeting of the GEF/UNDP/PEMSEA Project on Scaling up SDS-SEA Implementation was held at the Be Grand Resort, Panglao Island, Bohol, Philippines on 12 July 2016. The Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) of the Philippines hosted the Meeting. The Meeting was attended by representatives from eight project participating countries, namely: Cambodia, China, Indonesia, Lao PDR, Philippines, Thailand, Timor-Leste and Vietnam. Three PEMSEA partner countries were present as observers and/or as contributing countries to PEMSEA: Japan, RO Korea, and Singapore. Representatives from the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) Manila and the UNDP Regional Hub Bangkok were present on behalf of the Global Environment Facility and UNDP. The PEMSEA Resource Facility (PRF) served as the Secretariat for the Meeting. This publication summarizes the proceedings of the meeting.

DOCUMENT TITLE
China Report
Cambodia Report
Timore Leste Report
Laos Progress Report
Indonesia Report
Thailand Report
Vietnam Report
Philippines Progress Report
China Work Plan and Budget
SDS-SEA Work Plan and Budget
 

The Project Steering Committee Meeting of the GEF/UNDP/PEMSEA Project on scaling up implementation of the SDS-SEA was held at the Princesa Garden Island Resort, Puerto Princesa, Palawan, Philippines on 25 June 2015. The Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) of the Philippines hosted the Meeting. The Meeting was attended by representatives from six project participating countries, namely: Cambodia, China, Lao PDR, Philippines, Timor-Leste and Vietnam. Three PEMSEA partner countries were present as observers and/or as contributing countries to PEMSEA: DPR Korea, Japan, and RO Korea. Representatives from the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) Manila and the UNDP Regional Hub Bangkok were present representing the Global Environment Facility and UNDP. A representative from The World Bank was also present as an observer. The PEMSEA Resource Facility (PRF) served as the Secretariat for the Meeting.

The PSC Meeting focused on the status of the project MOA signing in countries, the regional and country work plans and budget for 2015-2016, and actions to be taken to address the gaps.