Proceedings of the Second Ministerial Forum on the Implementation of the Sustainable Development Strategy for the Seas of East Asia

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.

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 Xiamen Ministerial Declaration, adopted by PEMSEA country partners in November 2024, strengthens regional commitments for sustainable ocean governance in East Asian Seas. The declaration emphasizes 10 synergistic actions across effective governance, ocean health, blue economy, and food security, while advancing the SDS-SEA Implementation Plan 2023-2027 and PEMSEA 2030 Roadmap through collaborative partnerships.