Despite the priority attention given to ICM, very little information on lessons learned from past experiences has been systematically compiled and analyzed. To help fill this information gap, the International Workshop on Integrated Coastal Management in Tropical Developing Countries: Lessons Learned from Successes and Failures was conducted. The workshop, held in Xiamen, People's Republic of China, from May 24-28, 1996, brought together many of the world's leading experts on ICM, some of whom are pioneers on the ICM concept; members of international organizations promoting ICM; and novice practitioners. This publication contains the summary of the working sessions. More importantly, it contains the report of the main findings of the workshops, that is, "Enhancing the Success of Integrated Coastal Management: Good Practices for the Formulation, Design and Implementation of Integrated Coastal Management," based on the contributions of the participants.

The Marine Pollution Monitoring and Information Management Inception Workshop was held at the Manila Galleria Suites, Pasig City, Philippines, on 8-10 April 1996. It was attended by representatives from ten countries. Also present were Mr. Kevin McGrath, the UNDP Resident Representative, Dr. Chua Thia-Eng, the IMO Regional Programme Manager, and Dr. Gil S. Jacinto, the Marine Pollution Monitoring and Information Management (MPMIM) Network Coordinator.

The Inception Workshop for the Regional Network of Legal Experts on Marine Pollution was held at the Manila Galleria Suites, Pasig City, Metro Manila, Philippines, on 18-19 March 1996. It was attended by 17 participants from 10 countries in East Asia, namely: Cambodia, China, Indonesia, Japan, Malaysia, the Philippines, Republic of Korea, Singapore, Thailand, and Viet Nam. The objectives of the Workshop were: to produce a directory of Network members; to formulate the Network’s operational plan; to obtain commitments from the members to participate in the Network activities; and to plan activities.