Parallel Session – EAS Congress 2024

ST 2.15: From EEZs to the High Seas: Leveraging the ocean-climate biodiversity nexus in accelerating the implementation of ocean-climate action

OVERVIEW

The Global Ocean Forum and the Plymouth Marine Laboratory are pleased to be organizing a virtual side event at the 2024 East Asian Seas Congress in collaboration with the Partnerships in Environmental Management for the Seas of East Asia (PEMSEA) and the Common Oceans Cross-sectoral Project. This side event, titled “From EEZs to the High Seas: Leveraging the ocean-climate-biodiversity nexus in accelerating the implementation of ocean-climate action,” will be held virtually on 6 November at 5:00-6:30 PM China Standard Time. The event will consist of two segments and will feature two sets of speakers representing government, intergovernmental, and civil society organizations.,

Segment 1 aims to discuss integrated and collaborative approaches used to advance the ocean agenda in the climate, biodiversity, and sustainable development frameworks. It will highlight the opportunities presented by the BBNJ Agreement for leveraging the ocean-climate-biodiversity nexus in accelerating the implementation of ocean-climate action by exploring the mitigation and adaptation potential of the vast high seas.

Segment 2 focuses on what’s to come for the ocean community at COP29 and will provide a preview of the COP29 Virtual Ocean Pavilion (VOP) and of ocean events at COP29 more generally. This segment will open with high-level remarks on what to expect for the ocean from COP29 negotiations. Next, the Ocean Breakthroughs and the activities of the Marrakech Partnership for Global Climate Action (MPGCA) at COP29 will be presented, followed by a presentation on the activities of the Friends of the Ocean and Climate at COP29. An introduction to the Virtual Ocean Pavilion will then follow, with a preview of the Pavilion exhibits and live events, an overview of the searchable COP29 ocean-related events tracker and other Pavilion features.

Register here to join the event

AGENDA

Keynote Speaker

Ambassador Peter Thomson, UN Secretary-General’s Special Envoy for the Ocean

Moderator

Mr. Richard Delaney, Interim Executive Director, Center for Coastal Studies, US; President, Global Ocean Forum Board of Directors

Segment 1: From EEZs to the High Seas

Ambassador Janine Coye-Felson, Deputy Permanent Representative, Permanent Mission of Belize to the United Nations in New York; Co-chair of the BBNJ Agreement Preparatory Commission
Mr. Duncan Currie, Legal and Political Advisor, High Seas Alliance
Ms. Danielle Yeow, Lead, Climate Change Law and Policy, Centre for International Law, National University of Singapore
Ms. Johanna Diwa-Acallar, Capacity Development Specialist, Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission of UNESCO
Ms. Viktoria Varga Lencses, Program Coordinator, Common Oceans Program; Senior Fishery Officer, Food and Agriculture Organization of the UN

Segment 2: Showcasing the Ocean at COP29

Mr. Julio Cordano, Permanent Mission of Chile to the United Nations in New York, co-facilitator, Ocean and Climate Change Dialogue 2024
Ms. Loreley Picourt, Executive Director, Ocean & Climate Platform, Co-focal Point for Ocean and Coastal Zones, Marrakech Partnership for Global Climate Action
Ms. Anna-Marie Laura, Senior Director, Climate Policy, Ocean Conservancy
Ms. Thecla Keizer, Deputy Head of International Office, Plymouth Marine Laboratory
Ms. Catie Mitchell, Research Assistant, Global Ocean Forum

ST 2.14: China-ASEAN Marine Ecosystem Protection and Restoration Symposium

Overview

The Fourth Institute of Oceanography (4IO), also known as China-ASEAN Countries Joint Research and Development Center of Marine Science and Technology and Guangxi Marine Development Institute, is directly affiliated to the Ministry of Natural Resources of the People’s Republic of China. 4IO is committed to serving the construction of national marine ecological civilization, contributing to the Initiative of the 21st Century Maritime Silk Road and promoting the high-quality development of the sea-oriented economy of Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region. 4IO focuses on the key tasks of supporting the construction of the marine ecological civilization in Beibu Gulf and facilitating marine sci-tech exchanges and cooperation between China and ASEAN countries.

With economic globalization and social development, ocean ecological and environmental issues have become significant factors affecting the sustainable development of countries and regions. Both China and ASEAN countries face ecological and environmental problems such as the decline of biodiversity, coastal degradation, and the deterioration of the structure and function of marine ecosystems, necessitating joint cooperation to seek solutions.

Program Objectives:

Jointly explore the latest technologies and methods for the protection and restoration of marine ecosystems, share experiences and successful cases, and explore opportunities and directions for cooperation.

Programme:

TIME	AGENDA
	Opening Ceremony · Host：Guan Yao, Fourth Institute of Oceanography, Ministry of Natural Resources
	Opening Remarks 1. Remarks By the Third Institute of Oceanography, MNR 2. Remarks By National Marine Hazard Mitigation Service, MNR 3. Remarks By Island Research Center, MNR 4. Remarks By the Fourth Institute of Oceanography, MNR
	Group Photo
	Public Goods Release and Signing Ceremony 1. Public Goods Release: China-ASEAN Marine Science, Technology and Industry Development Report 2024 2. Signing Ceremony: Fourth Institute of Oceanography, MNR and Prince of Songkla University, Thailand
	Thematic Reports 1. Exploration of Mangrove Carbon Sink Pathways and Blue Carbon Trading Models · Speaker：Chen Guangcheng, Research Fellow of Third Institute of Oceanography, MNR. 2. Construction of Marine Nature Reserves in China · Speaker：Zeng Jiangning, Researcher of the Second Institute of Oceanography, MNR 3. Operational service for Marine Hazard Assessment and Mitigation · Speaker：Zhang Yao, Senior Research Scientist of National Marine Hazard Mitigation Service, MNR 4. Conservation genetics to improve biodiversity and resource management · Speaker：Dang Thuy Binh, Senior Lecturer of the Institute of Biology and Environment, Nha Trang University 5. Marine environmental protection and blue economy development in Cambodia · Speaker：Meas Rithy, Deputy director of Department of Coastal Zone Marine Conservation, Ministry of Environment 6. Myanmar Experiences in Managing the Challenges and Opportunities of Mangroves Ecosystem · Speaker：Nang Mya Han, Marine Science Department, University of Myeik 7. Seaweed Farming for Sustainable Development Goals in Blue Economy context · Speaker：Maya Puspita, Head of Research and Development, Indonesian Seaweed Association

ST 1.9: Engaging Stakeholders in River Basin Planning and Risk Management (Stakeholder Analysis Workshop)

Overview

To facilitate a focused discussion with key national and local government attendees from six countries to identify sensitivities, concerns, and actionable strategies for stakeholder engagement in the IRBM project.

Expected Outputs

Identification of key stakeholders, their concerns, and sensitivities.
Prioritization of stakeholders using the interest-influence grid.
Actionable recommendations for engagement based on their placement on the grid.
Improved collaboration among stakeholders for IRBM implementation.

Programme:

TIME	AGENDA
14:30 – 14:40	Workshop Mechanics and Objectives Overview
14:40 – 15:00	Stakeholder Mapping and Sensitivity Identification (Plenary)
15:00 – 15:20	Breakout Session 1: Stakeholder Prioritization Using Interest-Influence Grid
15:20 – 15:30	Plenary Report-Back (Session 1)
15:30 – 15:50	Breakout Session 2: Actionable Recommendations Based on Stakeholder Prioritization
15:50 – 16:05	Plenary Report-Back (Session 2)
16:05 – 16:20	Collaborative Strategy Discussion (Plenary)
16:20 – 16:30	Closing Remarks and Next Step
	Facilitator: Mr. Christopher Tapnio, Social and Environmental Safeguards Specialist

ST 3.3: China-ASEAN Ocean Remote Sensing Technology Training Workshop

Overview

The Fourth Institute of Oceanography (4IO), also known as China-ASEAN Countries Joint Research and Development Center of Marine Science and Technology and Guangxi Marine Development Institute, is directly affiliated to the Ministry of Natural Resources of the People’s Republic of China. 4IO is committed to serving the construction of national marine ecological civilization, contributing to the Initiative of the 21st Century Maritime Silk Road and promoting the high-quality development of the sea-oriented economy of Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region. Simultaneously, China-ASEAN Ocean Remote Sensing Center which established by 4IO is built in 2022, aiming to promote the sustainable development of ASEAN countries and build the comprehensive strategic partnership of China-ASEAN. 4IO focuses on the key tasks of supporting the construction of the marine ecological civilization in Beibu Gulf and facilitating marine sci-tech exchanges and cooperation between China and ASEAN countries.

To promote the sustainable development of ASEAN countries and build the comprehensive strategic partnership of China-ASEAN, China-ASEAN Ocean Remote Sensing Center is built in 2022. This center is building by collecting multi-source remote sensing data such as marine satellite remote sensing images and ground observation data, a series of ocean remote sensing products could be made and shared with China-ASEAN countries to support the ocean biodiversity protection in the future, and this workshop could also help to support the development of ocean remote sensing and promote sustainable development at the background of “Ocean Decade”.

Program Objectives:

Exchange the development of ocean remote sensing technology, discuss the remote sensing technology such as machine learning, modeling, investigate the application of ocean and coastal remote sensing, such as environment monitoring, mangrove protection, shoreline variation, red tide, climate change, marine spatial planning, and explore opportunities and directions for cooperation.

Program

TIME	AGENDA
14:30 – 16:30	ASEAN-China Ocean Remote Sensing Technology Training Workshop · Host：Xu Xingyong, Fourth Institute of Oceanography, Ministry of Natural Resources
	1. Optical Oceanography at Xiamen University · Speaker：Zhongping Lee, College of Ocean and Earth Sciences, Xiamen University
	2. Typical Marine Ecosystem Remote Sensing Monitoring · Speaker：Zou Yarong, Researcher of National Satellite Ocean Application Service
	3. Detection and Monitoring of Typical Geological Hazards in ASEAN · Speaker：Xu Suning, Researcher of Land Satellite Remote Sensing Application Center, Ministry of Natural Resources
	4. Nature-based solution for climate change adaptation: mangrove restoration in Xiamen Bay of China · Speaker：Yang Suzhen, Associate Researcher of Fourth Institute of Oceanography, Ministry of Natural Resources
1630	Summary

ST 1.6 How PEMSEA Network Can be Reinforced? (A multi-layered ocean governance methodologies)

Overview

In the East Asia region, there is a wide variety of political, economic, and social systems. It is composed of some of the most heavily populated cities and countries in the world. From the perspective of the ocean, the region is characterized not only with its unique marine and coastal settings, such as large marine ecosystems, island chains, vast gulfs, and crowded straits, but also commercially important fishing and mariculture grounds and rich offshore mineral resources such as gas and oil. However, the rapid economic development and massive population growth in the region have inevitably resulted in enormous pressures on the marine environment and its resources.

Various issues of ocean governance should be considered to enforce the resilience of the Seas of East Asia, including the development speed and phase of institutional frameworks, the suitable and executable assessment tool, and the implementation regime in the field. Especially multi-layered ocean governance of regional-national-local methodologies should be implemented.

In this session, we will first present an overview of regional governance models around the world and scale down to national case studies on coastal management in Japan, China, RO Korea and Southeast Asian countries. Second, we will consider coastal governance methodology from the view of local community engagement from a bottom-up perspective of governance and should provide a shared future and a role for voluntary participation by stakeholders. Finally, a panel discussion will be held to discuss how we can implement holistic and inclusive ocean governance in the Seas of East Asia with these characteristics. A multi-layered ocean governance will be introduced as a methodology to fill the gap between top-down and bottom-up governance.

Program

TIME	AGENDA
14:30 – 14:35	Moderator Dr. Xiang Gao, Ocean Policy Research Institute of the Sasakawa Peace Foundation
14:35 – 14:38	Opening Remarks Dr. Haiwen Zhang, Former Director General, China Institute for Marine Affairs
14:38 – 15:38	Regional Sea Governance and the Role of the Epistemic Community Dr. Xiang Gao (Ocean Policy Research Institute of the Sasakawa Peace Foundation) What is Coastal Zone: Definition and Range Dr. Zhengyi Liu (Yantai Institute of Coastal Zone Research, Chinese Academy of Sciences) The Best Practices of Coast Management in Southeast Asia Countries TBD Promoting ICM in Tokyo Bay: Exercise of Social Transformation to Achieve an Inclusive Society with Stakeholders Dr. Keita Furukawa (COAST CARD Japan) The Practices of Coastal Management in Xiamen Professor Benrong Peng (Coastal and Ocean Management Institute, Xiamen University) Dynamic Evolution of Coastal and Marine Spatial Policy Regime of RO Korea Dr. Jungho Nam (Korea Maritime Institute)
15:38 – 16:18	Panel Discussion Dr. Xiang Gao (Ocean Policy Research Institute of the Sasakawa Peace Foundation) Dr. Zhengyi Liu (Yantai Institute of Coastal Zone Research, Chinese Academy of Sciences) TBD Dr. Keita Furukawa (COAST CARD Japan) Professor Benrong Peng (Coastal and Ocean Management Institute, Xiamen University) Dr. Jungho Nam (Korea Maritime Institute)
16:18 – 16:30	Q&A and Open Forum

ST 4.3: Start-up and Leadership Development for Sustainable Blue Economies

Overview

Sustainable blue economies have been promoted as a priority policy objective by many coastal and island countries and communities. While conventional method and traditional practices need to be fostered for achieving such objectives, it is also vital to pursue progress and innovative approaches. To facilitate business models that will achieve sustainable blue economies, it is essential to consolidate knowledge of not only oceanographic, biological and ecological aspects, but also policies, laws, finance, management and other social science related disciplines. A number of countries have been looking into the schemes to support start-ups to support micro, small and medium enterprises (MSME). However, such schemes have not targeted the business opportunities in coastal and marine resource management. In this session, some start-up businesses addressing coastal and marine resource management will be examined. At the same time, it is also intended to depict the key knowledges and skills needed to initiate, facilitate and effectively management start-up businesses that will achieve sustainable blue economies.

Objectives

Identify Innovative Start-up Models: Explore and analyze successful start-up initiatives focused on coastal and marine resource management that contribute to sustainable blue economies, identifying innovative practices and strategies.
Integrate Interdisciplinary Knowledge: Consolidate understanding of the necessary scientific, policy, financial, and management knowledge needed to support the growth of start-ups focused on marine and coastal sustainability.
Foster Networking and Collaboration: Create a platform for networking among stakeholders, including entrepreneurs, policymakers, and researchers, to facilitate collaboration and knowledge exchange that can enhance sustainable blue economy initiatives.
Encourage Community Engagement: Discuss the importance of involving local communities in the development and management of sustainable blue economy initiatives, ensuring that their traditional knowledge and practices are integrated.

Programme:

TIME	AGENDA
10:00 – 10:05	Opening and Introductory Session Moderator: Mr. Masanori Kobayashi, Program Director, Sasakawa Peace
	Thematic Presentations on Science, Policy, Leadership and Start-up Support
10:05 – 10:20	Presentation 1: Start-up and Leadership Development for Ocean Conservation and Sustainable Blue Economies Mr. Masanori Kobayashi, Program Director, Sasakawa Peace Foundation
10:20 – 10:35	Presentation 2: Offshore Marine Protected Areas to Protect Marine Biodiversity and Fisheries Sustainability Dr. Augy Syahailatua, Research Professor in Biological Oceanography and Fishery Science, Research Centre for Oceanography, National Research and Innovation Agency (BRIN), Indonesia
10:35 – 10:50	Presentation 3: Sustainable Blue Economy Transformation Policy in Indonesia: Leadership and Sustainable Fisheries in Practice Prof. Luky Adrianto, Chairperson, International Research Institute for Maritime, Ocean and Fisheries, IPB University/ Sustainability Advisor, ARUNA
10:50 – 11:05	Presentation 4: Innovation and Digitizing Ocean Action Prof. Icarus Allen, Chief Executive, Plymouth Marine Laboratory and PML Applications Ltd
	Discussion Moderator:
11:05 – 11:45	Discussant: Dr. Sheila G Vergara, Project Manager, ASEAN Center for Biodiversity
11:45 – 12:00	Wrap-up

ST 2.10: Achieving Sustainability through Connectivity for Resilient ASEAN Seas

Overview

In the ASEAN region, the conservation of marine areas is one of the big gaps seen in the previous global target for biodiversity. By the end of the Aichi Biodiversity Targets implementation period, only 4% (out of 10% target) of the region’s coastal and marine areas had been protected.

This would pose a new challenge with the more ambitious targets pledged under the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework (GBF), which was adopted at the 15th Conference of Parties to the UN Convention of Biological Diversity (CBD) in December 2022.

A key target under the KM GBF, Target 3, is the conservation of at least 30% of the world’s lands and waters by 2030 (30×30). It could be a greater challenge for the ASEAN region because despite some areas of progress, the region was short in meeting the Aichi Biodiversity Targets. The KM GBF, with its 23 targets, is supposedly an effort to rectify the reasons for this failure and catch up on the lost progress. Among the actions highlighted in the KM GBF is the need for a whole-of-government and whole-of-society approach to meet the targets.

More specifically, to meet the ambitious “30×30” of Target 3 and improve the health of coastal and marine ecosystems in the region, ASEAN Member States (AMS) should work together at establishing larger areas of conserved and protected waters.

The ASEAN Centre for Biodiversity (ACB) has taken some steps to advance the efforts of the ASEAN Member States in building strong collaboration and cross-boundary partnerships to protect larger areas of coastal and marine biodiversity in the ASEAN region.

These include the development and implementation of projects designed to address coastal and marine ecosystem threats and challenges by facilitating transformative changes in the collaborative management of marine protected areas (MPAs), MPA networks and associated marine corridors through integrated coastal management, marine spatial planning and the ecosystem-based management of fisheries.

To amplify the commitment of the ASEAN Member States to the KM GBF and to showcase experiences in achieving sustained efforts in the ASEAN, ACB proposes an interactive discussion on “Achieving Sustainability through Connectivity for Resilient ASEAN Seas.”

This session will serve as a platform for sharing the experiences of ASEAN Member States in achieving sustainability, knowledge acquisition, sharing and networking – highlighting ACB’s contributions in scientific and data management, ongoing coastal and marine conservation projects, plus youth engagement initiatives aimed at ensuring sustainable and resilient seas within the ASEAN.

Objectives:

Showcase ASEAN’s contributions to the 30 x 30 GBF target through successful case studies and initiatives.
Facilitate knowledge sharing among ASEAN member states and East Asian counterparts on effective marine conservation strategies.
Engage youth representatives in promoting sustainable marine practices and conservation efforts.

Program

TIME	AGENDA
14:00 – 14:30	Registration and AVP Presentations
14:30 – 14:35	Introduction
14:35 – 15:15	First Session Proposed Topics: Achieving Sustainability in the ASEAN Seas: 1. Towards Successful MPA and MPA network management in the ASEAN region · Speaker 1: Dr. Suchana Apple Chavanich, Ph.D. (Thailand) 2. Lessons to share for Sustainable Fisheries in the ASEAN Region Speaker 1: Md. Ketut Putra (Expert from Indonesia) · Speaker 1: Dr. Nygiel Armada (Expert from the Philippines)
15:15 – 15:30	Q&A
15:30 – 15:35	Wrap-up and Introduction to Second Speaker
15:35 – 16:05	Second Session Connectivity for a Resilient ASEAN Seas Proposed Topic: 1. An Overview of the ASEAN ENMAPS Project · Dr. Sheila Vergara, ASEAN ENMAPS PM-CTA 2. The ENMAPS Approach: Understanding “Connectivity” in the ASEAN Marine Ecosystems · Dr. VIncent Hilomen, ASEAN ENMAPS Regional Fisheries and Connectivity Consultant
16:05 – 16:15	Q&A
16:15 – 16:20	Wrap-up and introduction to Third Session
16:20 – 16:40	Third Session Youth for Sustainable ASEAN Seas Proposed Topic: 1. The role of youth organizations in coastal and marine conservation and fisheries management · Speaker: Sapawan “Ploy” Ponlaboot (Youth Leader from Thailand)
16:40 – 16:50	Q&A
16:50 – 17:10	Panel Discussion
17:10 – 17:30	Wrap-up Closing Announcements

ST 2.13: International Symposium on Tsunami Warning and Storm Surge Prediction and Mitigation in the Asia-Pacific Region

Overview

The Asia-Pacific region is highly vulnerable to coastal hazards, particularly tsunamis and storm surges, due to its extensive coastlines and numerous island nations. Recent catastrophic events have highlighted the critical need for improved warning systems and mitigation strategies. This symposium brings together experts, policymakers, and practitioners to address the challenges in predicting and mitigating these devastating natural phenomena.

The focus on tsunami warning systems comes in the wake of several major events that have affected the region in recent decades, emphasizing the need for rapid and accurate detection and notification systems. Similarly, the increasing frequency and intensity of tropical cyclones, exacerbated by climate change, necessitates advanced storm surge forecasting capabilities.

By convening in Xiamen, China, a coastal city with its own experiences of such hazards, participants will have the opportunity to exchange knowledge, discuss recent technological advancements, and forge collaborations to enhance regional resilience against tsunamis and storm surges.

Program Objectives:

To improve tsunami warning and storm surge prediction capabilities in the Asia-Pacific region, thereby enhancing disaster mitigation and coastal community resilience. Specific objectives:

1) Analysis of historical tsunami and storm surge events

2) Occurrence and mechanism of earthquakes and tsunamis

3) Cause analysis of non-seismic and complex tsunamis

4) Tsunami and storm surge monitoring and early warning technologies

5) Numerical simulation of tsunami and storm surge

6) Tsunami and storm surge risk assessment

7) The application of artificial intelligence in tsunami and storm surge warning and forecasting

Programme:

TIME	AGENDA
10:00 – 10:20	1. Opening + Group Picture
	2. Technical reports
10:20 – 10:35	Numerical simulation of a multi-hazard scenario of tsunami and storm surge in Hong Kong · Chan Wai Soen
10:35 – 10:50	Reconstructing typhoon intensity and storm surge simulation using scarce data Zhan Tian
10:50 – 11:05	Determination of Source Parameters and its Global Application in Earthquake Hazard Mitigation · Dun Wang
11:05 – 11:20	Automatic finite-fault inversion for large earthquakes and the application to tsunami early warning · Chenyu Xu
11:20 – 11:35	Application of regional deep learning model for typhoon-induced storm surge through construction of synthetic typhoon in Northwest Pacific Ocean · Hui Shen
11:35 – 11:45	Break
11:45 – 12:00	Probabilistic Tsunami Hazard Assessment for the Southeast Coast of China Considering Inundation Scenarios · Yefei Ren
12:00 – 12:15	Analysis of Earthquake and Tsunami Characteristics in West Malaysia · Yip Weng Sang
12:15 – 12:30	Analysis Of Tsunami Mechanism Triggered By Ile Des Cendres Volcano In 1923 · Kan Zhang
12:30 – 12:45	Tsunami Characteristics in Semi-enclosed Seas · Jiaying Cui
12:45 – 13:00	3. Closing

ST 2.12: 13th East HAB Symposium/ Exchange the latest status of red tide in East Asia and the discussion on the prevention and mitigation on harmful algal blooms-hypoxia at the background of “Ocean Decade”

Overview

In the past decades, Harmful Algal Blooms (HABs) have expanded globally and drawn a great attention of coastal countries worldwide, because of their multiple effects on marine ecosystems and the public health. Recurrent large-scale HAB appeared in Asian waters recently and the potential harmful effects attracted the concerns from the circumjacent countries. It has become a common interest to study the HAB phenomenon in this area. This Symposium is willing to exchange the latest status of red tide in East Asia and the discussion on the prevention and mitigation on harmful algal blooms-hypoxia at the background of “Ocean Decade”.

Program Objectives:

The main objective of the EASTHAB is to share HAB information and collaborate in the HAB research activities among scientists in the Asian region.

Program

TIME	AGENDA
10:00 – 10:15	Opening ceremony and Welcoming address · Douling Lu
10:15 – 10:30	Keynote Speech · Rhodora Azanza
10:30 – 10:45	Group Photo and Coffee Break
10:45 – 11:00	National report (China) · Pengbin Wang
11:00 – 11:15	National report (Korea)Recent Trends in Harmful Algal Blooms in Korean Coastal Waters: A Five-Year Overview · Minji Lee
11:15 – 11:30	National report (Japan) · Natsuko Nakayama
11:30 – 11:45	Research on relationship between turbidity front movement and algal bloom procedure based on remote sensing observation · Bangyi Tao
11:45 – 12:00	Harmful algal blooms and associated fisheries damage in China during 1980-2018 · Xinfeng Dai
14:30 – 15:00	Keynote Speech Harmful Algal Blooms of Kareniaceae (Dinophyta) Species in Chinese Coasts · Songhui Lv
15:00 – 15:20	Phylogeny and ultrastructure of amphidomatacean dinoflagellates isolated from Japanese · Mitsunori Iwataki
15:20 – 15:40	Research on Improving Aerial Surveillance and Sensor Operation for HAB Monitoring · Moonho Son
15:40 – 16:00	Application of Third-Generation High-Throughput Sequencing in Studying Harmful Microalgal Diversity · Zhaohe Luo
16:00 – 16:20	Coffee Break
16:20 – 18:00	EAST-HAB SSC member meeting

ST 2.8: Reducing Marine Plastics in the East Asian Seas Region: Innovative Solutions and Good Practices at Local Level

Overview

Plastic pollution is a severe global challenge, threatening the health of our planet and its diverse species. The IUCN Issue Brief (May 2024) reveals that annually, approximately 460 million tons of plastic are produced, with 20 million tons ending up in the oceans. This influx has devastating effects, including suffocation, starvation, and injury to marine life, leading to declines in populations and even the extinction of some species. Furthermore, plastic pollution has far-reaching economic impacts, affecting industries such as tourism, fishing, and shipping, while also contributing to the depletion of natural resources and biodiversity, both crucial for human well-being and economic prosperity.

The East Asia Seas region is particularly vulnerable to marine plastic pollution, with countries in the area being among the largest contributors to this global issue. A study by the Ocean Conservancy (Stemming the Tide, 2015) identified five Southeast Asian countries – China, Indonesia, the Philippines, Thailand, and Vietnam – as responsible for 60% of the plastic waste entering the ocean worldwide.

In response to this pressing issue, Partnerships in Environmental Management for the Seas of East Asia (PEMSEA) and the Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries (MOF) of the Republic of Korea have launched an Official Development Assistance (ODA) project titled “Reducing Marine Plastic Litter in the East Asia Seas” in 2023, a six-year (2023-2028) initiative with total funding of US$9M from MOF.

The ODA project aims to improve local governance on marine plastic management, demonstrate best practices and innovative solutions for reducing marine plastics and marine plastic management, conduct beach monitoring on marine plastics and litter, and raise capacity and awareness and improve communication among stakeholders and public on the impact of marine plastics on the environment, human health and economy. This endeavor involves collaboration with Local Government Units (LGUs), including six LGUs in the Philippines (Bulan Municipality, Puerto Princesa City, Calbayog City, Daanbantayan Municipality, Dipolog City and Tandag City) and four municipalities in Timor-Leste (Dili, Atauro, Manatuto and Liquica).

Objectives

Objectives of this session include:

1. Report the outputs of the 2 years of implementation at local sites;
2. Share experiences and lesson learned at the local sites; and
3. Discuss way forward on the project implementation

Programme

MC: Klyra Orbien, PEMSEA

Time	Agenda	Note
OPENING
10:00-10:10	Welcome remarks	Ms. Aimee T. Gonzales Executive Director PEMSEA
	Congratulatory remarks	Hon. Ms. Donalyn U. Minimo Assistant Secretary OIC – International Finance Group (IFC) Department of Finance Philippines
	Congratulatory remarks	Hon. Mr. Yoon Hyunsoo Deputy Minister / Commissioner Korea Maritime Safety Tribunal Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries Republic of Korea
	Congratulatory remarks	Hon. Mr. Domingos da C. dos Santos Secretary of State for Fisheries Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock, Fisheries and Forestry (MALFF), Timor-Leste
10:10-10:20	Signing Ceremony MOU between MALFF of Timor-Leste and PEMSEA on Marine Plastics ODA Project Implementation	Mr. Domingos da C. dos Santos representing the government of Timor-Leste and Ms. Aimee Gonzales representing PEMSEA
PART 1. KEY NOTE PRESENTATION
10:20-10:40	Plastic Pollution in the East Asian Seas Region: Status and Perspectives	Dr. Maria Antonia Tanchuling Dean, College of Engineering University of the Philippines
10:40-11:00	Group photo and coffee break
PART 2. MAJOR OUTPUTS OF THE ODA PROJECT IMPLEMENTATION
11:00-11:10	Project Brief on Reducing Marine Plastics in the East Asian Seas Region	Dr. Won-Tae Shin Regional Project Manager MOF/PEMSEA ODA Project PEMSEA
11:10-11:30	The role of NGOs in Marine Plastics Management: Marine Environment Protector Program of the ODA project	Mr. Mamerto Q. Rodrigo Municipal Environment and Natural Resources Officer (MENRO) Daanbantayan Municipality, Philippines
11:30-11:50	Marine plastics beach monitoring: Findings and Lessons learned from Timor-Leste	Mr. Walter Oliveira Soares Beach Monitoring Coordinator National University of Timor-Leste Dili, Timor-Leste
11:50-12:00	Questions and answers
12:00-14:00	Lunch break
14:30-15:00	Local Actions Toward Enhancing Marine Plastics Management	Mr. Mikhail Paolo D. Rosil MENRO Office Bulan Municipality Philippines
15:00-15:30	Pilot project proposals on innovative solutions for effective management of marine plastics	Ms. Haidee Piniero Consultant PEMSEA
15:30-16:00	Coffee break
PART 3. OPEN DISCUSSION
16:00-17:00	Discussion Topics Innovative solutions suitable for local situations Suggestions on beach monitoring for improvement Elements for improving the Marine Environment Protector Program	Moderator: Dr. Won-Tae Shin Regional Project Manager MOF/PEMSEA ODA Project PEMSEA Representatives of the Project sites are encouraged to share their ideas of the pilot project
CLOSING
17:00-17:30	Conclusions and Recommendations	Dr. Won-Tae Shin Regional Project Manager MOF/PEMSEA ODA Project PEMSEA

ST 2.6: Harmonizing Oceans: Transboundary Strategies for Climate Resilience in North-East Asia

Overview

The East Asia region, home to a diverse array of marine ecosystems and species, faces significant challenges exacerbated by climate change. These challenges include habitat loss, biological pollution from invasive alien species and harmful algal blooms, and threats to marine species from both human and natural stressors. Effective marine conservation efforts transcend national boundaries and require robust transboundary cooperation and multi-layered stakeholder engagement, from regional, national and local governments to MPA managers, research institutions, and local communities. This holistic approach resonates with the Congress theme “Blue Synergy for a Shared Future: One Sustainable and Resilient Ocean”.

The urgent needs for climate resilience are amplified through international and regional forums. Such calls include the resolution on regional cooperation to accelerate climate action on oceans in Asia and the Pacific for sustainable development adopted by the Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (ESCAP), contributing to, for example, the Sustainable Development Goal 14 (life under water) and the UN Decade of Ocean Science for Sustainable Development 2021-2030.

Against this backdrop, the Korea Maritime Institute (KMI) and ESCAP Subregional Office for East and North-East Asia jointly organize a session titled “Harmonizing Oceans: Transboundary Strategies for Climate Resilience in North-East Asia”. This session will highlight the role of Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) under CMSP (Coastal and Marine Spatial Planning) regime in North-East Asia in fostering regional resilience against climate impacts and promoting ecosystem conservation. The discussion outcomes are expected to contribute to the healthy ocean as identified in the Sustainable Development Strategy for the Seas of East Asia Implementation Plan 2023-2027.

In this session / side event, key topics will include:

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 will underscore 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. Insights from the North-East Asian Marine Protected Areas Network (NEAMPAN).

NEAMPAN aims to establish an effective, functional representative network of Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) in the subregion for conservation of marine and coastal biodiversity and more efficient MPA management. As of May 2024, NEAMPAN has 12 designated MPA sites across five member States in North-East Asia. It will be crucial, reflecting the collective experience of MPAs from five member States (China, Democratic People’s Republic of Korea, Japan, Republic of Korea, and the Russian Federation) under the North-East Asian Subregional Programme for Environmental Cooperation (NEASPEC).

Program

TIME	AGENDA
10:00 – 10:10	Opening Remarks · Korea Maritime Institute · ESCAP East and North-East Asia Office Group photo
10:10 – 11:00	Presentations Moderator: Mr. Jungho Nam, Senior Research Fellow, Korea Maritime Institute · Ms. Jiyoon Kim, Senior Researcher, Korea Maritime Institute · Mr. Zhang Zhaohui, Research Professor, First Institute of Oceanography, China · Ms. Mi-Jin Lee, Research Associate, ESCAP East and North-East Asia Office · Ms. Maeve Nightingale, Senior Programme Officer, IUCN Asia
11:00 – 11:50	Panel Discussion · Ms. Margarita Victoria Caballa, Programme Associate, Marine and Coastal Ecosystems, Coordinating Body on the Seas of East Asia (COBSEA) · Ms. Casandra Tania, UNDP/GEF ATSEA-2’s Regional Biodiversity Specialist · Mr. Xinping Chen, Senior Researcher, Marine Ecosystem Conservation and Restoration Division, National Marine Hazard Mitigation Service of Ministry of Natural Resources, China
11:50 – 12:00	Closing

ST 2.2: A Training Session on Pollution Assessment and Management (PAM)

Overview

This training session will introduce the fundamental concepts and best practices in environmental risk assessment and management of chemical contaminants. It will also provide an overview of the frontier technologies in monitoring and assessment of marine pollution. Special focus will be placed on new pollutants and the risks they pose to the marine ecosystem and public health. We will also introduce the research progress of some global-scale studies.

Through this training session, participants will acquire the concepts and principles of environmental risk assessment, risk management, and communication as applied in practice. They will also understand the basic risk assessment tools (i.e., prospective, retrospective, and tiered approaches) for environmental risk management. By learning from the latest research, participants will learn about advanced methods for monitoring emerging chemicals of concern and their current status in coastal environments around the world. This training session will also enable participants to appreciate and employ modern approaches in pollution assessment and management in environmental policy formulation and decision-making.

Programme

TIME

AGENDA

Chair

Professor Kenneth Leung (Chief Professor), Dean of School of Energy and Environment, City University of Hong Kong; Chair Professor of Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry, Department of Chemistry, City University of Hong Kong; Director of State Key Laboratory of Marine Pollution (City University of Hong Kong)

10:00 – 10:10

Welcoming and Introduction

Professor Kenneth Leung

10:10 – 10:55

Environmental Risk Assessment and Risk Management

Professor Kenneth Leung

10:50 – 11:00

Break

11:00 – 11:40

The Threats and Monitoring Techniques for Antibiotic Resistant Gene

Professor Xuemei Mao

11:40 – 12:00

Free Discussion and Closing Remarks

· Professor Kenneth Leung

· Professor Xuemei Mao

ST 2.7: Yellow Sea Biosphere Conservation Cooperation (Regional Cooperation for the Yellow Sea Ecosystem Conservation)

Overview

The Yellow Sea is a sea area shared by three countries, South Korea, China, and North Korea, and has a high social and economic contribution. The coastal wetlands of the Yellow Sea are a very important habitat for migratory animal species such as marine mammals and migratory birds. Recently, China and Korea are making efforts to protect their coastal wetlands (the Yancheng area in China and the southwestern part of Korea) by registering them as UNESCO World Natural Heritage sites. The Yellow Sea is a large marine ecosystem, and countries that share it agree on the need for joint cooperation to preserve the Yellow Sea. In this session, Korea and China’s policies, actions, and pending tasks for yellow sea ecosystem conservation will be introduced, and cooperation measures between neighboring countries will be discussed.

Integrated management of border oceans was selected as the session topic to contribute to the theme of this PEMSEA EAS Congress, “Blue Synergy for a Common Future.” Conservation of the Yellow Sea ecosystem is a task that must be accomplished for the common future pursued by neighboring countries. Additionally, the Yellow Sea is very important as part of East Asian Seas, and these regional solutions should be of interest.

Expected Outcomes and Outputs

List of proposed regional solutions can be sought among countries bordering the Yellow Sea. Exemplary management of the Yellow Sea also has important implications for the management of East Asia’s marine ecosystem.

Programme

TIME	AGENDA

1430 – 1435	Welcome address · Dr. LEE Changhoon, President, Korea Environment Institute
1435 – 1520	Presentations: Korea’s Yellow Sea conservation policies, activities and tasks ● Speaker: Dr. Choong-ki Kim, Korea Environment Institute China’s Yellow Sea conservation policies, activities, and tasks ● Speaker: Prof. Jing Xu, Chinese Research Academy of Environmental Sciences Meaning and importance of yellow sea ecosystem conservation in East Asia ● Speaker: Mr. Masanori Kobayashi, Ocean Policy Research Institute
1520 – 1600	Discussion ● Dr. Suk-jae Kwon, KIOST ● Prof. Zhi Li, Xiamen University ● Free discussion by audience

ST 1.8: Biofouling Management in the East Asian Seas (EAS) Region

Overview

A workshop to raise awareness on the status, socio-economic impacts and regional strategy to manage biofouling and prevent invasive aquatic species in the East Asian Seas

The introduction and establishment of Invasive Aquatic Species (IAS) is considered as one of the threats to the biodiversity of the world’s freshwater, coastal and marine ecosystems. The global economic impacts of IAS, including disruption to fisheries, damage to coastal industry and infrastructure, shipping industry, tourism industry and marine ecosystem services, have been estimated at several hundred million dollars per year (IMO). The main vectors of the unintentional transfer of non-indigenous species are ships’ ballast water, biofouling of mobile marine structures and aquaculture practices.

Biofouling is the accumulation of aquatic microorganisms, plants, algae, or small animals on the surfaces and structures immersed or exposed to the aquatic environment. Significant research during the last 25 years have confirmed that biofouling had been underestimated as a possible vector for non-indigenous species and may in fact be one of the main mechanisms for their introduction or expansion of species into new marine or freshwater habitats. Improving or minimizing biofouling on ships has the added benefit of improving their energy efficiency. As a result, biofouling has been identified as one of the potential key resources that may contribute in the short term to the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions from the shipping industry.

In order to improve the management of biofouling, minimize its role as a potential vector for the introduction of IAS and help maritime industries to reduce their carbon footprint, the International Maritime Organization (IMO), the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and the Global Environment Facility (GEF) launched the GloFouling Partnerships Project in 2019. PEMSEA is the regional coordinating mechanism in the ASEAN/East Asian Seas region. The project includes a conscious effort to seek the expertise accumulated by the private sector, from maritime, shipping, ocean energy, aquaculture and other ocean-based industries as well as academe and policy makers to help identify common difficulties and solutions, facilitate innovative solutions and developed a regional strategy to manage biofouling in the region.

As part of the awareness raising and stakeholder consultation on the regional strategy, PEMSEA Resource Facility conducts stakeholder and awareness raising dialogue on Biofouling Management and Invasive Aquatic Species during the EAS Congress on 6^th November 2024 2:30 PM to 4:30 PM.

Programme

Moderator: Ms. Diane Factuar

TIME	AGENDA
1430 – 1445	Welcome and Introduction to Invasive Aquatic Species and Biofouling Management in the EAS region ● Ms. Diana C. Factuar, Consultant, PEMSEA Resource Facility
1445 – 1520	Sharing of Biofouling Management Initiatives at the Global and National Level (China, Indonesia, Malaysia, Japan, and the Philippines) Economic Costs of Marine Invasive Species at the Global Scale and China’s Experience on Invasive Aquatic Species ● Prof. Liu Chunlong, Professor of Fisheries, Ocean University of China National Status Assessment of Biofouling Management to Minimise the Introduction of Invasive Aquatic Species ● Assoc. Prof. Eur. Ing. Ts. Ir. Dr. Syuhaida Binti Ismail, Maritime Institute of Malaysia (MIMA), Malaysia Biofouling Management – MLIT of Japan Initiatives ● Mr. Masashi Kawabe, Director, International Ocean Affairs Ocean Policy Division, Policy Bureau, MLIT, Japan Challenges in Implementing Biofouling Policies and Programs in the Philippines ● Ms. Diana C. Factuar, PEMSEA Resource Facility
1520 – 1540	National Rapid Economic Assessment on Biofouling Management and Invasive Aquatic Species of Indonesia Dr. Mochammad Riyanto, IPB, Indonesia Economic Impacts of IAS and Biofouling Management in the Philippines Mr. Renato C. Cardinal, Consultant, PEMSEA Resource Facility
1540 – 1545	Regional Strategy on Biofouling Management in the EAS Region ● Ms. Aimee T. Gonzales, Executive Director, PEMSEA Resource Facility,
1545 – 1600	Q & A
1600 – 1615	Conclusions, Recommendations and next steps ● Facilitated by Ms. Diana C. Factuar
1615 – 1630	Virtual reality game

ST 1.1: Part 1: From Ratification to Implementation: Asia High-Level Dialogue on the High Seas Treaty; Part 2. From Ratification to Implementation: A deep-dive on the High Seas Treaty, Part V: Capacity-building and Transfer of Marine Technology

Partners

Blue Nature Alliance
International Union for Conservation of Nature
Oceans5
Sustainable Ocean Alliance

Overview

On 19 June 2023, the intergovernmental conference on an international legally binding instrument under the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea on the conservation and sustainable use of marine biological diversity of areas beyond national jurisdiction (BBNJ) adopted the BBNJ Agreement by consensus. The historic adoption followed 19 years of negotiations. Under the Agreement, 60 ratifications are needed for it to enter into force.

In the East Asian Seas region, there are eight (8) countries who already signed the Agreement (People’s Republic of China, Indonesia, Lao People’s Democratic Republic, Philippines, Republic of Korea, Singapore, Timor-Leste, and Vietnam), with Singapore and Timor-Leste being among the first countries in the region to become Parties to the Agreement. Under the Partnerships in Environmental Management for the Seas of East Asia (PEMSEA), the thrusts of the Sustainable Development Strategy for the Seas of East Asia (SDS-SEA) align with the principles of the Agreement in promoting ocean governance to ensure the sustainable development of the coastal and marine resources in the region. As nations set their national targets under the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework, the Agreement is essential to ensuring the achievement of the 30×30 ocean targets.

THE AGREEMENT

The Agreement is the first comprehensive treaty on the high seas. It covers marine genetic resources, including the fair and equitable sharing of benefits; measures such as area-based management tools, including marine protected areas; environmental impact assessments; capacity building and the transfer of marine technology.

OBJECTIVES AND EXPECTED IMPACTS

Recognizing PEMSEA’s role as a regional coordinating mechanism in the East Asian Seas region, High Seas Alliance (HSA), along with Oceans5, Blue Nature Alliance, Sustainable Ocean Alliance and IUCN, is co-organizing a two-part side event to engage different levels of stakeholders in a dialogue about the Agreement focusing on the perspective of Asian countries.

PART ONE

From Ratification to Implementation:

Asia High-Level Dialogue on the High Seas Treaty

A side event at the East Asian Seas Congress 2024

07 November 2024 | 10:00 AM to 11:05 AM

1 B Meeting Room, Xiamen International Conference Center Hotel

The high-level side event aims to engage ministers, senior government officials, and the heads of delegation in a 1-hour high-level dialogue that aims to sustain the momentum of support from the national government leaders to sign and ratify the High Seas Treaty. The dialogue aims to revisit the commitments of the countries and explore opportunities to assist the countries in the ratification and preparation for the implementation.

PARTICIPANTS

Two representatives from each country, to be led by the Minister/Deputy Minister, will be invited to participate in the high-level dialogue. The heads of agencies of key regional partners will also be invited to the event. While this is open to the participants of the EAS Congress, only the invited high-level officials, designated by their respective countries, can provide intervention.

RUN OF THE SHOW

*Event moderated by Rizza Sacra-Dejucos, Asia Regional Coordinator of High Seas Alliance

10:00 AM	Welcome Messages Dr. Vann Monyneath East Asian Seas Partnership Council Chair Under-Secretary of State for the Ministry of Environment, Cambodia Rebecca Hubbard Director, High Seas Alliance
10:05 AM	The High Seas Treaty: A Milestone Unlike Any Other (video presentation)
10:10 AM	Keynote Speech Her Excellency Rena Lee Ambassador for International Law Republic of Singapore
10:22 AM	Opening intervention for the Signing of the Treaty Champions Declaration Her Excellency Aishath Inaya Deputy Minister Ministry of Climate Change, Environment and Energy Republic of Maldives
10:32 AM	Intervention from the Ministers/Head of Delegation from the East Asian Seas countries and Signing of the Treaty Champions Declaration
10:55 AM	Closing Intervention from the French Government
11:05 AM	Photo Op/End of event

PART TWO

A deep dive on the High Seas Treaty, Part V: Capacity-building and Transfer of Marine Technology

07 November 2024 | 2:30 PM to 4:30 PM

1B Meeting Room, Xiamen International Conference Center Hotel

The technical session is a knowledge-sharing that targets key sectors, institutions, and leaders engaged in marine conservation in the East Asian Seas region to gather more public support on the ratification of the BBNJ Agreement by 2025.

The session is expected to:

Raise awareness and understanding on the salient points and key principles of the BBNJ Agreement, with focus on Part V: Capacity-building and Transfer of Marine Technology.
Increase appreciation of the need to swiftly ratify the Treaty, which can lead to growing participation of key sectors/organisation supporting governments of Asian countries in the #RaceForRatification and preparation for implementation.

PARTICIPANTS

The session is open to all participants of the EAS Congress 2024. Approximately 50 participants from different countries and sectors are expected to join the session including the co-convener of the session, moderator/facilitator, and resource persons/experts.

SPEAKERS

The technical session will be moderated by HSA, with a set of speakers and experts from Asia and other regions who will share insights and deep dive into the opportunities and prospects in the region in putting into practice the Part V of the BBNJ Agreement: Capacity-building and Transfer of Marine Technology.

RUN OF THE SHOW

Programme moderated by Moderator: J. Charles Fox, Executive Director, Oceans5

5 minutes	Opening and Preliminary Brief introduction about HSA House Rules
15 minutes	BBNJ Agreement: An overview and the Status of Ratification in Asia Rizza Sacra-Dejucos, Asia Regional Coordinator, High Seas Alliance
60 minutes	Deep dive on the Capacity-building and Transfer of Marine Technology: What’s in it for the Asian countries? The CBTMT Chapter Explained: Priorities and Challenges in Asia Mr. Daniel Kachelriess, Cross-Cutting Coordinator, High Seas Alliance (online) Implementing Part V: CBTMT at National Levels Ms. Sheena Talma, DPhil Fellow, University of Oxford; Talma Consultancy Director, Ocean Voices Fellow (online) Enabling Capacity and Resources of Big Ocean States: A Case of Maldives Ms. Hawwa Nabaaha Nashid, Conservation Officer, Ministry of Climate Change, Environment and Energy of Maldives Strengthening CBTMT through Regional Cooperation Ms. Claud Binondo, Project Development Division Director, ASEAN Center for Biodiversity The Role of Finance Mechanism in implementing CBTMT Mr. Ryan Dolan, Site Engagement Co-lead, Blue Nature Alliance High Seas MPA Accelerator Ms. Rebecca Hubbard, Director, High Seas Alliance
35 minutes	Panel Discussion
5 minutes	Closing of the session

RSVP: https://bit.ly/easbbnjevent

Contact: rizza@highseasalliance.org

ST 2.4: Perspectives on Collaborative Actions for Effective Oil Spill Preparedness and Response

Venue

1G01 VIP Room

Overview

Major oil pollution, whether ship-sourced or from oil production and exploration facilities, continues to threaten coastal communities and present significant challenges to key stakeholders.

Following the NEBA-SIMA workshop conducted as part of EAS Congress 2021, in collaboration with PEMSEA Resource Facility (PRF) and IMO-Ipieca Global Initiative for Southeast Asia (GISEA) Project, OSRL seeks to further propagate internationally recognized good practice in oil spill preparedness and response in the upcoming EAS Congress 2024.

OSRL proposes a collaboration with GISEA to convene a technical session and share more about oil spill preparedness and response under the sub theme of “Global Challenges, Local Solutions”. The session is targeted at an audience comprising broader ocean stakeholders from diverse backgrounds. It aims to: raise awareness on impacts of oil spills; introduce various good practice and tools available; and encourage industry-government collaboration to strengthen oil spill preparedness and response in the Seas of East Asia.

About Oil Spill Response Limited:

Oil Spill Response Limited (OSRL) is an industry-owned Tier 3 oil spill response cooperative and operates worldwide to support members in preparing for and responding to an oil spill incident. Our unique position enables us to integrate our experience and lessons learnt globally and leverage such insight to deliver effective solutions at the local level where our members operate.

About Global Initiative for Southeast Asia (GISEA) Project:

GISEA is regional project under the umbrella of the Global Initiative Programme, a partnership between Ipieca, the global oil and gas association for advancing environmental and social performance across the energy transition, and the International Maritime Organization (IMO), to enhance oil spill preparedness and response capacity for marine spills at priority locations around the world. The primary focus of the project is ASEAN Member States.

Brief description of topics

Overview of oil spills impacts

Oil spills occur globally; regardless of its origin, – either ship-sourced or from O&G facilities-, the resulting impacts affect the local community in three areas: socio-economic, environmental, and sometimes, cultural. This session aims to share an overview of the impacts of oil spills, and highlights the importance of being prepared to mitigate/reduce the undesirable consequences.

Overview of Industry Good Practice Guidance for oil spill preparedness and response

Following the Gulf of Mexico incident in 2010, the industry formed the Oil Spill Response – Joint Industry Project (OSR-JIP) to consolidate lessons learnt from the incident and review the industry good practice on oil spill preparedness and response. This session aims to discuss and distill the key lessons learnt on oil spill preparedness and response.

Staying prepared for oil spill incidents in Southeast Asia – perspectives from GISEA

This session aims to highlight the challenges and opportunities to strengthen oil spill preparedness and response across Southeast Asia, at both the national and regional levels. Areas where stakeholders with interest in the ocean, can potentially contribute will be discussed, within the existing regional framework.

Case Study: National oil spill response capability development in Papua New Guinea (PNG)

In this session, OSRL will share on our experience in supporting the development of national oil spill response capability in Papua New Guinea.

Readiness Evaluation Tool for. Oil Spills (RETOS™)

This session aims to introduce the Readiness Evaluation Tool for Oil Spills (RETOS™), which is now an internationally accepted standard for industry and governments to assess their levels of oil spill response planning and readiness management, in relation to a set of pre-established criteria.

Introduction to Oiled Wildlife Preparedness and Response

Wildlife, in particular, birds, reptiles, and marine mammals, could be gravely impacted by oil spills – such harm is well-documented. This session aims to share on the various oiled wildlife preparedness and response activities and mechanisms for managing oil spill risks to wildlife, and consequences following impact.

Objectives:

To raise awareness of the impacts from an oil spill incident, from socio-economic, environmental, and cultural perspectives.
To highlight the importance of industry-government collaboration for effective preparedness and response to oil spills.
To share good practice and tools to strengthen oil spill preparedness

Expected Outcomes/Outputs

Gain awareness of oil spill impacts.
Gain awareness of industry good practice and its application via a case study.
Gain awareness of national oil spill preparedness framework and the use of RETOS™ as an assessment tool.
Gain awareness of good practice in oiled wildlife preparedness and response.
Generate collaboration interest and/or engagement opportunities with other country/non-country partners

TIME	AGENDA
14:30 – 14:40	Opening and Agenda Introduction Mr. James Tan, OSRL
14:40 – 14:50	Overview of Oil Spill Impacts Mr. James Tan, OSRL
14:50 – 15:10	Overview of Industry Good Practice in Oil Spill Preparedness and Response Mr. James Tan, OSRL
15:10 – 15:40	Staying Prepared for Oil Spill Incidents in Southeast Asia – Perspectives from GISEA Mr. Lee Nai Ming, GISEA
15:40 – 15:55	· Break
15:55 – 16:25	Case study: National Oil Spill Response Capability Development in Papua New Guinea (PNG) Response Case Study Mr. Norman Ramos, OSRL

ST 2.3: Capacity Building Workshop on the Global Estuaries Monitoring (GEM) Programme

Overview

Currently, more than 100,000 chemical substances are used in our daily lives and industries. Many of these chemicals eventually end up in estuaries and oceans through various pathways such as rivers, surface runoff, and partially treated wastewater from treatment plants, ultimately causing potential hazards to marine organisms. Unfortunately, there is a lack of information regarding the occurrence and environmental risks of various contaminants of emerging concern (CECs) in global estuaries, particularly in Africa, South America, Southeast Asia, and Oceania coastal areas.

To address this issue, the Global Estuaries Monitoring (GEM) Programme has been launched under the United Nations Decade of Ocean Science for Sustainable Development. Its visions are to develop a global monitoring network, reveal the pollution status, and co-create solutions with the global partners for cleaner and safer estuaries.

Expected outcomes and outputs

The GEM Workshop will serve as an affiliated activity of the GEM Programme. This workshop will provide a platform for participants to bring together action partners, to deliver the latest research progress and achievements of the GEM Programme during 2021 – 2024, to co-create potential collaborative projects and action plans for the next phase of GEM, and to develop innovative solutions for combating estuary and marine pollution problems, with an aim to achieve UN Ocean Decade’s ultimate goal of a cleaner ocean by 2030.

Program

TIME	AGENDA
	Chair · Professor Kenneth Leung (Chief Professor), Dean of School of Energy and Environment, City University of Hong Kong; Chair Professor of Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry, Department of Chemistry, City University of Hong Kong; Director of State Key Laboratory of Marine Pollution (City University of Hong Kong)
14:30 – 15:05	Welcoming and Introduction of the GEM Programme · Professor Kenneth Leung
15:05 – 15:40	Pollution and land-sea transport of plastic debris and microplastics in the river estuary · Professor Xinhong Wang
15:40 – 15:55	Break
15:55 – 16:25	Progress and Prospects of the GEM Programme · Dr. Chong Chen
16:25 – 16:55	Advanced Passive Sampler Development · Ms. Demilade T. Adedipe
16:55 – 17:30	Free Discussion and Closing Remarks · Professor Kenneth Leung · Professor Xinhong Wang

ST 1.5: Area-Based Marine Ecosystem Management for the Implementation of Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework

Overview

At the 15th Conference of the Parties to the Convention on Biological Diversity in December 2022, the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework (GBF), which includes a provision to designate 30% of the Earth’s surface as protected areas, was adopted. Additionally, at the Ocean and Climate Change Dialogue mandated by the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change, many stakeholders agreed that the nature-based solutions are beneficial for both climate change mitigation and adaptation, subsequently recommending their integration into nationally determined contributions.

In line with these demands and trends in the international community, it is expected that the demand for area-based conservation and protection will grow even greater in the field of marine ecosystem management.

As a public organization dedicated to supporting and implementing marine ecosystem monitoring, marine conservation, and marine spatial planning for sustainable marine use in Korea, KOEM acknowledges the importance of knowledge exchange among neighboring countries to foster the development of effective area-based ecosystem management policies.

The workshop aims to promote area-based marine ecosystem management in alignment with the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework. It seeks to facilitate information exchange among East Asian countries, share current national-level marine ecosystem management practices, and discuss cooperative strategies for future policy development. The event will feature presentations and discussions focused on implementing nature-based solutions and enhancing regional collaboration in marine conservation efforts.

Expected Output/s:

Share the status of area-based ecosystem management policies within the East Asian Seas region and efforts toward international treaty compliance.
Discuss considerations and cooperation measures for the progressive formulation of future national policies.

Program

TIME	AGENDA
10:00 – 10:02	Opening Ms. Sukhui Lee, KOEM
10:02 – 10:05	Opening Address Mr. Yongseok Kang, KOEM CEO
	Session 1. Presentation session – Objective: Sharing efforts for implementing GBF within the East Asian regional seas
10:05 – 10:20	Achievement of CBD KMGBF targets at the regional level through the ATSEA-II project (tentative) Mr. Handoko Adi Susanto, ATSEA II, Project Secretariat
10:20 – 10:35	Korea’s MPA Policies and Achievements for GBF Implementation Mr. Woorak Seo, KOEM
10:35 – 10:50	Achieving the GBF MPA 30% Target: South Korea’s Marine Spatial Planning Strategy Mr. Choong-Ki Kim, KEI
10:50 – 11:05	TBD Mr. Linlin Zhao, FIO
11:05 – 11:20	Implementation of KM GBF in Asia (tentative) Ms. Rizza Sacra Dejucos, High Seas Alliance
	Session 2. Discussion session – Objective: Exploring development strategies for area-based ecosystem management policies
11:20 – 11:50	Theme: Considerations for implementation of area- based marine ecosystem management policies – Proposals and discussions on intergovernmental or regional cooperation activities (joint research, collaborative project development, etc.) Moderator: Suk-Jae, Kwon, PEMSEA Technical Session Co-Chair Panelists: Invited speakers – Mr. Handoko Adi Susanto – Mr. Woorak Seo – Mr. Choong-Ki Kim – Ms. Li Shuyun – Ms. Rizza Sacra Dejucos
11L50 – 12:00	Closing ● Ms. Sukhui Lee, KOEM

ST 2.1: Strategic collaboration in tackling the Triple Planetary Crises in the East Asian Seas Region – Climate Change and Marine Impacts; Nature and Marine Biodiversity Loss; Marine Pollution

Overview

The world is facing multiple planetary crises, including climate change, biodiversity loss and pollution – often referred to as the “Triple Planetary Crises” (TPC). Addressing these challenges requires integrated and comprehensive solutions, as solving the challenges separately in a “one-by-one” approach is not sufficient given the urgency of the situation. Furthermore, some solutions to one of the crises may negatively impact others. And some solutions can – if designed and implemented well – contribute to several crises all at once. Such trade-offs and synergies must be identified and coordinated.

The countries around the East Asian Seas have joined the global community and committed to solving climate change and biodiversity challenges as well as the complex issue of marine pollution. These include addressing global commitments such as the Sustainable Development Goals (SDG), the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework (KM-GBF), United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), United Nations Environment Assembly (UNEA) resolutions, as well as regional and sub-regional commitments, such through the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN).

One of the essential approaches to solving these challenges will be building partnerships amongst different stakeholders. Many organizations and projects are working on various aspects of marine and coastal management in the East Asian Seas. Far too many activities and projects are implemented in isolation; with comprehensive coordination of initiatives across organizations, projects, and thematic areas being the exception rather than the norm. It is critical that these efforts are coordinated amongst stakeholders to eliminate duplications and explore synergies with the aim to optimize the use of limited financial and human resources. This coordination is often challenged by different governance modalities across existing mechanisms – there is a need to discuss and identify clear synergies and opportunities for embarking on coordinated approaches in addressing marine challenges in the East Asian Seas region.

This session will focus on the efforts of regional marine environmental institutions in promoting coordination and collaboration for the sustainable governance of the East Asian Seas region. The session will bring together strategic partners and stakeholders, including PEMSEA, IUCN, IOC-WESTPAC, ASEAN Centre for Biodiversity, Coral Triangle Initiative, amongst others, to move towards a future where coordination and integration is standard.

Objective

The overall aim of the session is to encourage collaborative efforts amongst regional marine organizations in the East Asian Seas to address the triple planetary crises.

Format

Part One will provide a background on the triple planetary crises and the efforts of the UN Environment Programme (UNEP) in addressing this complex issue in the marine and coastal ecosystems of the East Asian Seas. Focus will be on the Regional Seas Programme, the Coordinating Body on the Seas of East Asia (COBSEA), and the UNEP/GEF South China Seas – Strategic Action Programme (SCS-SAP) Project. The discussions will demonstrate the increasing working partnership between COBSEA and the SCS-SAP Project, exploring synergies and complementarities, and collaborative opportunities on the development and updating of the Transboundary Diagnostic Analysis (TDA) – Strategic Action Programme (SAP), knowledge management, regional governance and regional working group collaboration, as well as the implementation of the COBSEA Strategic Directions 2023-2027.

Part Two will extend the discussion with other regional marine organizations in the East Asian Seas through a panel and workshop session. Organizations will be invited to present their experiences and thoughts in regional partnerships, how to capitalize the competencies of each organization, requirements to establish this partnership, such as science-policy interface, engagements, institutional structure, and resources.

Finally, Part Three will invite the audience to engage in the conversation, bring in their additional thoughts, and ask questions to the panelists. The workshop will end with agree ways forward.

Expected Output/s:

Roadmap towards a potential collaborative effort for regional marine organizations to address the triple planetary crises.
Working paper on this collaborative effort, including timeline, objectives, and activities.

The discussions of this EAS Congress session are expected to be expanded further in the “Our Ocean Conference” in Busan, Republic of Korea, in April 2025, and presented in the “Third UN Ocean Conference” (UNOC3) in Nice, France, in June 2025, as a regional contribution from the East Asian Seas region

Programme

TIME	AGENDA
1430 – 1445	Welcome Remarks and Introduction Dr. Vann Monyneath, Undersecretary of State, Ministry of Environment, Cambodia and Chair of the EAS Partnership Council Group Photo
	PART ONE – Setting the Scene
1445 – 1455	The Triple Planetary Crises (TPC) in the context of the East Asian Seas region – moving towards integrated approaches Ms. Margarita Victoria Caballa, Project Management Specialist and COBSEA lead on Marine and Coastal Ecosystems
1455 – 1505	The UNEP Regional Seas Programme, COBSEA Strategic Directions and the TPC Mr. Mahesh Pradhan, Coordinator, COBSEA
1505 – 1515	SCS-SAP Project and the TPC Mr. Anders Poulsen, Senior Project Manager, SCS-SAP Project
1515 – 1525	A vision for the future – The COBSEA-SCS-SAP Partnership Mr. Anders Poulsen and Mr. Mahesh Pradhan
1525 – 1540	Break
	PART TWO – Panel Discussion and Workshop
1540 – 1640	Establishing a collaborative Partnership on addressing the Triple Planetary Crises in the East Asian Seas Ms. Aimee Gonzales, Executive Director, Partnerships in Environmental Management for the Seas of East Asia (PEMSEA) Ms. Maeve Nightingale, Senior Program Officer, International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Ms. Mi-Jin Lee, Research Associate, North-East Asian Marine Protected Area Network (NEAMPAN) Dr. Vo Si Tuan, Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission – Sub-Commission for the Western Pacific (IOC-WESTPAC) Ms. Claudia Binondo, Division Director, ASEAN Center for Biodiversity (ACB)
	PART THREE – Engaging with Audience and Next Steps
1640 – 1720	Discussion and Q&A with the panelists Ms. Margarita Victoria Caballa
1720 – 1730	Conclusions and way forward Mr. Anders Poulsen and Mr. Mahesh Pradhan

ST 1.2: Sharing Experiences and Best Practice in Sustainable Management of MPAs Workshop

Partners

Ant Forest Foundation
Beijing Office of WildAid
Huawei Technologies Co., Ltd.
National Marine Hazard Mitigation Service, MNR (NMHMS)
Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC) Beijing Representative Office
SEE Foundation
Third Institute of Oceanography, MNR (TIO)
World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF) Beijing Representative Office

Overview

Kunming Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework, as the common vision for global biodiversity conservation, is a major and important achievement for international cooperation on the biodiversity conservation. The TARGET 3 of the Framework indicates that at least 30 percent of marine and coastal areas are effectively conserved and managed through protected areas and other effective area-based conservation measures by 2030.

Marine protected areas (MPAs) are a crucial and effective measure to protect marine ecosystem, provide ecosystem services and goods, mitigate climate change, conserve marine biodiversity, and support blue economy in coast and ocean. While Other Effective area-based Conservation Measures (OECMs) are one of the important area-based management tools for marine on-site conservation. In recent years, OECMs have gradually gained international attention and are considered as new powerful tools that can significantly increase the protected areas both in land and oceans.

Such efforts align closely with the goals outlined in the regional framework of the Sustainable Development Strategy for the Seas of East Asia (SDS-SEA) 2023-2027, aiming to enhance the biodiversity conservation and management by developing National Biodiversity Strategic Action Plans (NBSAPs) that incorporate post-2020 Global Biodiversity Framework targets for ocean, coastal, and marine management.

This Experience and Practice Sharing Workshop for Sustainable Management of MPAs aims to promote MPA’s management effectiveness, understand international commitments for marine biodiversity conservation, and exchange the excellent management practice of MPAs and OECMs. The workshop will discuss the international best practice and tools for MPA management, share experiences among regional MPAs, identify marine conservation gaps and hotspots, foster networking of MPAs in the EAS region, and explore potential pathway to realize the 3030 Target in the EAS region.

Expected Output/s:

- By promoting the exchange of MPA management information, expertise, and experiences, this workshop is expected to facilitate the understanding of MPA management despite differences in types and sizes; identify potential cooperative actions for regional cooperation among MPAs and OECMs; and enhance the managing capacity and effectiveness of MPA and OECM through the release of four important outputs.
Contact Information
- ZHU Xiaotong, China-PEMSEA Center, 15666528639 (English)
- LIU Yidan, First Institute of Oceanography, 18653245759 (Chinese)

Programme

Best Practice & Tools for MPA Management

TIME	AGENDA
	Session 1 Chaired by: · Mr. Liu Shenghao, Deputy Director of Marine Ecology Center, FIO
10:00 – 10:20	Opening remarks · Mr. Antao WANG, Deputy Director-General, International Cooperation Department, Ministry of Natural Resources · Ms. Aimee Gonzales, PEMSEA Executive Director, · Mr. Tiegang LI, Director-General, First Institute of Oceanography, Ministry of Natural Resources
10:20 – 10:40	Safeguarding Thailand’s Marine Biodiversity through scaling up the network of Marine Protected Areas and OECMs · Dr. Petch MANOPAWITR, Advisor of WILDAID Thailand Program
10:40 – 11:00	Eco-Region Based Identification of Marine Key Biodiversity Areas in China for Conservation Planning · Ms. Jing WANG, Director of Marine Conservation Program, SEE FOUNDATION
11:00 – 11:20	Internet Charity Impower Marine Protected Area: Tongguling National Nature Reserve Case · Mr. DOU Rui, Program Director of Ant Group Sustainability Department, Deputy Secretary-General of tthe Ant Forest Foundation
11:20 – 11:40	New Outputs Releasing: 《MPA Patrol Framework》 · Ms. Chong YU, Chief Representative of Wild Aid Beijing Office
11:40 – 12:00	New Outputs Releasing:《Conservation Gaps and Initiative of Spotted Seals》 · Mr. Hongfei ZHUANG, First Institute of Oceanography, MNR

MPA & OECM for 3030 Target in EAS region

TIME	AGENDA
	Session 2 Chaired by · Ms. Ning Hua, Director of Conservation Program, NRDC
14:30 – 14:50	Scientific research on OECMs and case studies · Ms. Elizabeth Pike, Director of Marine Protection Atlas, Marine Conservation Institute
14:50 – 15:10	Community-based Management in Chongming Dongtan National Natural Reserve · Mr. Yimo ZHANG, Program Director of Ocean, WWF-China
15:10 – 15:25	How to technically support Sea Turtles Protected Areas – Experience Sharing from Huawei · Mr. Joyce LIU, Director of TECH4ALL Digital Inclusion Program Office, Huawei
15:25 – 15:35	New outputs releasing (Study Report on Marine OECMs Identification in China) Ms. Shuyun LI, First Institute of Oceanography, Ministry of Natural Resources, China
15:35 – 15:45	New outputs releasing Studies on Marine Protected Areas: Summary of Monitoring Programs within Papahānaumokuākea Marine National Monument · Ms. Yue YAO, Project Manager, Conservation Project, Natural Resources Defense Council
15:45 – 16:00	Coffee Break
	Session 3 Chaired by · Mr. Zhang Zhaohui, Deputy Director of China-PEMSEA Coastal Sustainable Management Center
16:00 – 16:20	Perspectives on North-East Asia MPA Networks · Ms. Mi-Jin Lee, East and North-East Asia office of UN-ESCAP
16:20 – 16:40	Perspectives on China-ASEAN MPA Network · Dr. Zhenghua LIU, Third Institute of Oceanography, Ministry of Natural Resources
16:40 – 17:00	How to Support Community-Led Enforcement of MPAs: Success Stories from WildAid’s Global Programs · Mr. Gregg CASAD, Senior Compliance Advisor of WildAid
17:00 – 17:30	Panel Discussion on Realizing 3030 Target for the EAS Region Yinfeng GUO，National Marine Hazard Mitigation Service (NMHMS), MNR Patrick YEUNG, Climate Action Platform, Asian Venture Philanthropy Network Akbar，CEO of Yapeka, Indonesia, Representative of Local NGO and Fishery Community, Blue Partnership Action Fund Partner Zhiwei ZHANG, Director, Research Center for Coastal Science & Marine Planning, FIO MNR

ST 4.2: Seminar on Blue Carbon Policy, Regulation and Technology

Overview

In recent years, the global economic landscape has increasingly prioritized a green and low-carbon transition. The urgent challenges of global warming and implications of climate change have galvanized collective action, leading to the political commitments of achieving carbon neutrality in the mid of the century in order to bridge the gap between their emission reduction targets and the overarching goal of limiting global temperature rise to 1.5°C relative to pre-industrial level. While many countries have articulated their commitments through policy announcements, there remains a significant shortfall in concrete implementation and actionable measures to back these ambitious promises.

The pressing challenges of climate change necessitate innovative solutions and collaborative efforts across diverse sectors and regions. Coastal and marine ecosystems play a crucial role in mitigating climate impacts, particularly through carbon sequestration, yet they are often undervalued and underfunded within climate action frameworks. The Mediterranean region, characterized by its unique biodiversity and socio-economic complexities, offers a vital context for examining climate policies and potential opportunities. Countries like China, Sri Lanka, Mauritius, and Japan are leading the way in blue carbon initiatives, demonstrating effective practices for sustainable management and conservation. PEMSEA is working towards a blue carbon certification initiative to incentivize conservation, restoration and management of blue carbon ecosystem at regional level.

This seminar aims to get together experts from various fields to exchange insights and best practices on legal, policy, and financial mechanisms to enhance blue carbon ecosystems and ocean negative carbon emissions as ocean-based climate solutions. By exchanging knowledge and practices of current state and future prospects of blue carbon initiatives, the program seeks to stimulate collaboration and foster discussions towards developing innovative strategies to enhance climate resilience in coastal regions. The seminar will specifically focus on marine carbon sinks, exploring relevant policies, laws, and blue carbon accounting methodologies that can ensure the sustainable development of blue carbon resources while achieving co-benefits of climate mitigation and biodiversity enhancement.

Objectives

Explore Legal and Policy Frameworks: Assess the current laws and policies to facilitate climate action in various Mediterranean and East Asian contexts, highlighting opportunities for improvement and adaptation.
Share Regional Insights: Present the status of blue carbon initiatives in specific countries, including China, Sri Lanka, Mauritius, and Japan, to showcase successful practices and potential challenges.
Facilitate Knowledge Exchange: Encourage dialogue among experts, researchers, and policymakers to share best practices and innovative approaches to blue carbon sequestration and ecosystem management.
Discuss Financial Modalities: Identify and evaluate financing options and mechanisms that can support blue carbon programs and initiatives, focusing on sustainable investment strategies.
Promote Certification Standards: Examine the role of blue carbon certification in incentivizing conservation efforts and explore frameworks for effective implementation.
Encourage Collaborative Efforts: Foster partnerships between countries and organizations to enhance regional cooperation and collective action in addressing climate change through blue carbon initiatives.

Through these objectives, the seminar aims to create a comprehensive understanding of the interface between climate policy, economic viability, and environmental stewardship, ultimately contributing to more effective climate action in the two regions.

Programme:

TIME	AGENDA
1430 – 1445	Introduction Moderator: Prof. Zhang Haiwen, former Director, CIMA Opening remarks Dr. Xu Guodong, Director, NMHMS-MNR Mr. Pan Xinchun, Vice President and Secretary-General, CODF Dr. Keita Furukawa, Technical Session Chair, PEMSEA
	Policy Session Moderator：Mr. Guo Yinfeng, Chief Expert for International Cooperation, NMHMS-MNR
1445 – 1455	Presentation 1: Law, Policy and Opportunities in Climate Action – Recent Initiatives from a Mediterranean Island Dr. Anthoine Grima, University of Malta
1455 – 1505	Presentation 2: Blue Carbon Sequestration and Associated Environmental Policies in Sri Lanka: Current Status and Future Perspectives Prof. Dimuthu Wijeyaratne University of Kelaniya
1505 – 1515	Presentation 3: Low Carbon and Resilient Mauritius Prof. Kishore Boodhoo, University of Mauritius
1515 – 1525	Presentation 4: Japan Blue Carbon Credit (J-Blue Credit®) Implementation and the Policy Directions Dr. Atsushi Watanabe, OPRI-SPF/Japan Blue Economy Association (JBE)
1525 – 1535	Presentation 5: Marine CDR (Carbon Dioxide Removal) Technologies: Global Analysis of Principles, Participation, and Prospects Prof. Guanqiong Ye, Zhejiang University
1535 – 1545	Presentation 6: International Legal Regulation of Ocean Negative Carbon Emissions and China’s Response Prof. Yitong Chen, Ocean University of China
1545 – 1605	Panel discussion
1605 – 1620	Tea break
	Technology Session Moderator：Dr. Keita Furukawa, Technical Session Chair, PEMSEA
1620 – 1630	Presentation 7: Blue Carbon Market Assessment: Some Insights of the Demand in Asia Dr. Michael Abundo, OceanPixel
1630 – 1640	Presentation 8: Recent Development in Blue Carbon Monitoring and Accounting in PR China Dr. Yuxing Wang, National Marine Hazard Mitigation Service, Ministry of Natural Resources (NMHMS-MNR), China
1640 – 1700	Presentation 9: Building a Unified Approach for Blue Carbon Accounting in East and Southeast Asia: Progress and Future Directions, Ms. Kristina Di Ticman, PEMSEA Resource Facility
1720 – 1720	Panel discussion
1720 – 1730	Wrap-up and End of Session Dr. Keita Furukawa, PEMSEA

ST 1.3: Mobilizing Action beyond 30×30 Commitment through Institutional Partnership

Overview

The call for conserving 30% of land and seas by 2030 has created momentum in establishing Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) in recent years. However, as the international community begins their implementation of the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework (KM GBF) and achievement of this global target, ensuring this acceleration leads to durable, effective, equitably managed, and ecologically representative systems of conservation areas, will be challenging. These challenges include, but are not limited to, building constituencies, and fostering political will to sustain commitments made, building capacity for effective and durable management, ensuring inclusive and equitable governance systems, and securing sustainable financing. In short, achieving 30% ocean protection through effective, equitable, and durable ocean conservation requires partnership at all stages of a site’s ‘conservation journey’ from the commitment and legal designation of a new or expanded area to actively and equitably managing it to securing sustainable funding.

Blue Nature Alliance is a global partnership established to catalyze the conservation of 18 million square kilometers or 5% of the ocean by 2027 in contribution to conserving 30% of the ocean by 2030. We collaborate with governments and local partners in designing and implementing strategic interventions needed to achieve measurable outcomes for the creation of new large-scale ocean conservation areas, and the expansion, improved management, or upgraded protections of existing areas.

This side event hosted by the Blue Nature Alliance is intended to encourage all Parties to consider the need for partnership and engagement beyond initial commitments towards implementation and impact. This event will include an interactive and engaging panel featuring governments and implementing partners of the Blue Nature Alliance to build momentum for ambitious commitments toward global ocean conservation. Panelists will share personal experiences, lessons learned, and innovations in ocean conservation and offer encouragement and partnership to participants as they consider how to advance their country’s conservation journey to achieve the global targets of the KM GBF.

Programme

Time	Agenda
10:00 – 10:05	Session Introduction · Facilitator: Nai’a Lewis
10:05 – 10:15	Welcome Remarks: · Ryan Dolan, Site Engagement co-Lead, Blue Nature Alliance
10:15 – 10:20	Brief Introduction of Speakers
10:20 – 11:30 (10 minutes each)	Presentation of Case Studies 1. Building constituencies · Dax Dequito, Social and Environmental Systems Manager, Zoological Society of London, Philippines 2. Fostering political will to sustain 30×30 commitments · Ahmad Sofiullah, Senior Marine and Coastal Ecosystem Manager, Ministry of Marine Affairs and Fisheries, Indonesia 3. Strengthening legal and policy frameworks for MPA establishment · Atty. Cole Yokingco, Senior Policy Manager, Conservation International,- Philippines 4. Building capacity for effective and durable MPA management · Nai’a Lewis, Director, Big Ocean, USA 5. Ensuring inclusive and equitable governance systems within governmental stakeholders · Atty. Arsenio Bañares, Chief Fishing Regulations Officer, Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources, Philippines 6. Ensuring inclusive and equitable governance systems among sectoral stakeholders · Arsenio Tanchuling, Fisheries Management Area 1 Management Board Member 7. Securing sustainable financing · Dr. Victor Nikijuluw, Senior Ocean Advisor, Konservasi Indonesia
11:30 – 12:00	Question & Answer Session Summary

ST 1.7: State of River Basin Reporting: Establishing the Baseline and Mechanism to Track Progress in the Source to Sea Continuum

Introduction

The conduct of baseline assessment of the Source-to-Sea (S2S) management continuum with a targeted outcome of improving understanding of governance, socioeconomic, ecological conditions, gaps and needs of priority river basins/sub-basins and associated coastal areas through the State of River Basin (SORB) reporting system is one of the major outcomes of the implementation 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 the ASEAN Countries. The SORB reporting system aims to:

Establish baseline conditions in a river basin/associated coastal area prior to the startup of the IRBM program, including changes that are climate related;
Assess progress, achievements and shortcomings of ongoing IRBM programs by determining changing conditions with respect to governance and social and economic conditions, including gender gaps as well as trends and/or emerging environmental issues; and
Develop recommendations for continual improvement of IRBM programs including recommendations on ensuring gender responsiveness and incorporating gender equality, where appropriate for consideration by national and local governments and other relevant stakeholders in each river basin/coastal

This session aims to:

Launch the State of River Basin reporting as a monitoring instrument to support river basin management in the ASEAN region;
Share the process in developing the SORB Guidebook and the experiences and lessons learned in the preparation of the SORB Reports in selected priority river basins in ASEAN countries; and
Discuss strategies in promoting the wider application of the SORB in the ASEAN Region and its institutionalization as a regular reporting process for IRBM programs of national and local governments in the region.

Target Participants

United Nations Development Programme
Association of Southeast Asian Nations Secretariat
Chair of ASEAN Working Group on Water Resources Management
Institute for Global Environmental Strategies
6 ASEAN Member States (Cambodia, Indonesia, Lao PDR, Malaysia, Philippines and Vietnam)
RPMU (PRF)

Programme:

TIME	AGENDA
	Session 1: Launching of the State of River Basin Reporting System Master of Ceremony: Ms. Orange Happee Omengan, Communication/KM Specialist
14:30 – 14:32	Preliminaries Master of Ceremony
14:32 – 14:42	Introduction on the Guidebook for the State of River Basin Reporting Nancy Bermas, Regional Project Manager, IRBM Project, PRF
14:42 – 15:00	Messages from Partners Dr. Akiko Yamamoto, Regional Team Leader, Environment Team, Asia and the Pacific, UNDP, Bangkok Regional Hub Dr. Nam So, Senior Environment Officer, Environment Division, ASEAN Secretariat Mr. Oudomsack Philavong, AWGWRM Chair and Director General, Department of Water Resources, MONRE, Lao PDR Mr. Thiv Sophearith, Deputy Director General, General Directorate of Environmental Protection, Ministry of Environment, Cambodia Mr. Bui Ngoc Anh, Director, Department of Natural Resources and Environment, Quang Nam, Viet Nam Group photo
	Session 2: State of River Basin Reporting: Establishing the Baseline and Mechanism to Track Progress in the Source-to-Sea Continuum Chair: Dr. Akiko Yamamoto, Regional Team Leader, Environment Team, Asia and the Pacific, UNDP, Bangkok Regional Hub
15:00 – 15:05	Introduction to the Session Dr. Akiko Yamamoto, Regional Team Leader, Environment Team, Asia and the Pacific, UNDP, Bangkok Regional Hub
15:05 – 15:15	Overview of the GEF/UNDP/ASEAN IRBM Project and the State of River Basin Reporting Ms. Nancy Bermas, Regional Project Manager IRBM Project, PRF
15:15 – 15:25	Developing the SORB Reporting System – Process, Challenges and Lessons Learned (Regional Perspective) Dr. Pham Ngoc Bao, Deputy Director, Adaptation and Water Institute for Global Environmental Strategies
	Developing the SORB Reporting System – Process, Challenges and Lessons Learned (National/River Basin-level Perspectives)
15:25 – 15:35	Kampong Bay River Basin, Cambodia Dr. Hin Lyhour, Royal University of Agriculture, Cambodia
15:35 – 15:45	Nam Tha River Basin, Lao PDR Dr. Keoduangchai Keokhamphui / Mr. Thanongxay Douangnoulak Department of Water Resources, Lao PDR
15:45 – 15:55	Imus-Ylang Ylang-Rio Grande Rivers, Philippines Ms. Anabelle Cayabyab, Head, Office of the Provincial Environment and Natural Resources Office, Cavite, Philippines
15:55 – 16:05	Pasac-Guagua Watershed Ms. Irene Marie Villar, Assistant Department Head, Provincial Government-Environment and Natural Resources Office Pampanga, Philippines
16:05 – 16:15	Open Forum
	Session 3: Interactive Discussion Chair: Mr. Oudomsack Philavong, AWGWRM Chair and Director General, Department of Water Resources, MONRE, Lao PDR
16:15 – 16:20	Mechanics, objectives and expected outputs Chair
16:20 – 17:00	Interactive Discussion What needs to be improved in the SORB reporting process: experiences from baseline SORB report development How do we institutionalize the SORB reporting as a regular process for IRBM programs of national and local governments How do we replicate and promote its wider application in the ASEAN region Facilitators: Group 1: Dr. Hin Lyhour Mr. Chandath Him Group 2: Dr. Keoduangchai Keokhamphui Mr. Ben Patrick Soliguin Rapporteurs Ms. Nancy Bermas Ms. Daisy Padayao
17:00 – 17:20	Presentation of Group Outputs Rapporteurs
17:20 – 17:30	Wrap-up and Synthesis Chair

ST 4.1: Marine Litter Fund Forum

Overview

Marine plastic litter has emerged as a significant global environmental challenge that demands immediate and effective intervention. The East Asian Seas region is a major contributor to marine plastic litter, due to factors such as high population density, rapid urbanization, and inadequate waste management systems. Consequently, this region is responsible for over 50% of the world’s marine plastic litter. Given the interconnected nature of marine ecosystems, addressing this issue requires coordinated and collaborative efforts among neighboring countries. Effective collaboration between developed and developing nations that share these marine resources is crucial, especially in supporting countries that lack the necessary technical, policy, and economic capacities to tackle the problem independently.

Despite the severity of the marine litter problem, international cooperation remains insufficient, and this is particularly true in the East Asian Seas region. It is time to move beyond merely recognizing the issue and to implement concrete, actionable solutions. Establishing a fund as a first step will be a practical measure to achieve tangible results. Given the substantial contributions to marine litter from the East Asian Seas region, there is an urgent need to discuss the formation of a fund to enhance international cooperation in this domain.

In response, Korea Maritime Institute, COBSEA, PEMSEA, and the World Bank are jointly organizing this forum to foster international cooperation on marine litter and to discuss the establishment of a dedicated fund. We anticipate that this forum will serve as a crucial foundational step in deliberating the necessary funding mechanisms to jointly address the marine litter issue in the East Asian Seas region.

Purpose

The purpose of this forum is to share the necessity of establishing a fund among neighboring countries to address the marine litter problem in the East Asian region and to discuss strategies for fund-raising through cooperation. Through these efforts, we aim to strengthen international cooperation for the protection of the marine environment and sustainable development. The specific objectives are as follows:

Sharing Trends and Policies on Marine Litter in East Asian Seas region: Discussing the current state of marine litter pollution, the policies implemented to address it, and the status of international cooperation to reassess the severity of the issue and emphasize the necessity of collective response.
Examining International Cooperation Efforts: Analyzing funding strategies and the effectiveness of international cooperation through case studies from the World Bank, and discussing the implications for East Asia.
Exploring the Marine Plastic Value Chain: Investigating areas for collaboration based on the analysis of the marine plastic value chain, which constitutes most of the marine litter.
Reviewing Private Fund Trends and Potential: Examining the trends and future potential of private funds in addressing marine litter, focusing on initiatives by financial institutions involved in the UNEP Finance Initiative.
Assessing International Cooperation and Fundraising Case Studies: Reviewing the current state of international cooperation on marine litter in East Asia and exploring case studies of international environmental funds to propose possible directions for establishing a marine litter fund.

Programme

TIME	AGENDA
1400 – 1430	Registration
1430 – 1450	Opening Ceremony Opening Address Jung Hee, Cho, Vice President, Korea Maritime Institute Welcome Address Aimee Gonzales, Executive Director, PEMSEA Mahesh Pradhan, Coordinator, Coordinating Body on the Seas of East Asia (COBSEA) Group Photo
1450 – 1605	Presentations: Presentation 1: Current State of Marine Litter in East Asia Xinhong Wang, Professor, College of the Environment & Ecology, Xiamen University Presentation 2: World Bank’s Marine Litter Fundraising and International Cooperation Cases Giovanni Ruta, Lead Environmental Economist, World Bank Group Presentation 3: Areas of International Cooperation from the Perspective of the Marine Plastic Value Chain Vivek Anand ASOKAN, Policy Researcher, Institute for Global Environmental Strategies Presentation 4: Initiative to Combat Marine Litter and Beat Plastic Pollution Liu Yue, Manager, Green Finance Department of Xiamen Bank Presentation 5: Directions for Establishing a Fund to Achieve a Plastic-Free East Asian Sea Yoonjung Lee, Associate Research Fellow, Korea Maritime Institute
1605 – 1630	Break
1630 – 1720	Panel Discussion Moderator Maeve Nightingale, Senior Programme Officer, IUCN Panels Panel 1. Mahesh Pradhan, Coordinator, COBSEA Panel 2. Anders Poulsen, Senior Project Manager, SCS SAP Project Panel 3. Sung-Jin Cho, Senior Researcher, Korea Maritime Institute
1720 – 1730	Closing and Closing Remarks

ST 3.2: Digital DEPTH (Workshop on Digital Deep-sea Typical Habitats Programme)

Overview

“Digital DeEP-sea Typical Habitats (Digital DEPTH)” is one of major scientific plan in the field of deep-sea habitats initiated under the framework of the United Nations Decade of Ocean Science for Sustainable Development (UN Ocean Decade). It was officially approved by the Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission (IOC) of UNESCO on World Oceans Day in 2023 and is open to the world. The programme is operated by the China Deep Ocean Affairs Administration and led by chief scientist, Dr. Jiabiao Li, from Second Institute of Oceanography. Digital DEPTH focuses on 4 types of deep-sea habitats: seamounts, mid-ocean ridges, continental slopes and abyssal plains, which are vulnerable to human activities and global changes. The programme successfully hosted the western Pacific International Expedition. The workshop will help to discuss the update for the programme, emphasize the importance of international collaboration, thereby promoting the science-based approach to achieve deep-sea conservation and sustainable development.

Program Objectives:

The “Digital DEPTH” workshop is a groundbreaking initiative that delves into the typical deep-sea habitats. These unique ecosystems are not only essential to the planet’s biodiversity but also increasingly being vulnerable to human activities and global environmental changes. The Digital DEPTH is designed to strengthen our capacity to observe, simulate, and map these deep-sea environments, ultimately fostering a harmonious balance between deep-sea conservation and sustainable development. The successful western Pacific international Expedition has attracted scientists from 5 continents and valuable samples have been collected. A consensus has been achieved for exploring the deep-sea habitats to foster a sustainable ocean.

Program

TIME	AGENDA
	Opening and Introduction
	Part 0. Welcome remarks · Mrs. Dongmei Tang, China Deep Ocean Affairs Administration, Ministry of Natural Resources, China · Dr. Yinxia Fang, Second Institute of Oceanography, Ministry of Natural Resources, China
	Part 1. Introduction and progress of Digital DEPTH, and International Cruise 2024 · Dr. Jiabiao Li, Second Institute of Oceanography, Ministry of Natural Resources, China
	Part 2. Academic reports and roundtable discussion for 2024 Western Pacific International Expedition (Dr. Xuewei Xu) · Habitats and inhabitants of the deep-sea: from diversity to ecology to a prosperous ocean world, o Erika Gress, James Cook University, Australia · Research priorities for deep sea habitats, o Dongsheng Zhang, Second Institute of Oceanography, Ministry of Natural Resources, China · Deep-sea exploration for biodiversity, o Ruiyan Zhang, Second Institute of Oceanography, Ministry of Natural Resources, China
	Part 3. Introduction of newly adopted and future projects under Digital DEPTH (Dr. Rong Wang) · Junhui Shi, Zhejiang Lab, China · Bassem Jalali, Institut National des Sciences et Technologies de la Mer, Tunisia & Second Institute of Oceanography, Ministry of Natural Resources, China · Yang Liu, Ocean University of China, China
	Part 4. Vision for Digital DEPTH by international collaborator and advisory (Dr. Peiyuan Qian) 1. Amr Hamouda, National Institute of Oceanography and Fisheries, Egypt 2. Peiyuan Qian, Hong Kong University of Science and Technology, China 3. Suzan El-Gharabawy, National Institute of Oceanography and Fisheries, Egypt 4. Jianwen Qiu, Hong Kong Baptist University, China
	Part 5. Discussion on future plan in 2025 and beyond · Dr. Xuewei Xu, National Deep Sea Center, Ministry of Natural Resources, China
	Part 6. Closing remarks · Dr. Jiabiao Li, Second Institute of Oceanography, Ministry of Natural Resources, China · Mrs. Dongmei Tang, China Deep Ocean Affairs Administration, Ministry of Natural Resources, China

ST 3.1: Marine Spatial Management Utilizing a Big Data-driven Policy Simulator

Background

With recent increases in intensity of marine spatial utilization and various activities, conflicts and activity overlaps among stakeholders are deepening. Particularly, there is a demand for establishing means of integrated management of marine space to promote rational development and utilization, and to induce eco-friendly and sustainable marine activities.

In this session, experts from each country such as Korea, Japan, China, and Indonesia will share their expertise and know-how in marine spatial management, and build an international cooperation basis to realize sustainable marine space utilization. With the expected effect of contributing to the development of intelligent marine spatial policy simulation technology based on a marine digital platform for predicting Asian marine activities and scenario-based spatial changes and policy diagnosis.

Session Objective:

Securing scientific policy support technology to diagnose policy effects by performing simulations in a virtual reality (digital twin) environment.

This session aims the:

Derivation of marine space policies and development of simulation evaluation indicators for each policy
Policy simulation scenario development
Development of policy simulator for maritime digital twin
Verification and utilization of policy simulator based on maritime digital platform

Program

TIME	AGENDA
	Registration
14:30 – 14:40	Opening address · Kwon, Suk-Jae (Research Scientist, Korea Institute of Ocean Science & Technology, and Technical Session Co-Chair, PEMSEA) Group Photo
	Presentation Session 1
14:40 – 16:40	Presentation 1: Marine Spatial Planning and Offshore Wind Power Generation in Korea: A Data-Driven Approach Through an Environmental Information Platform · Kim, Choongki (Senior Research Fellow, Korea Environment Institute) Presentation 2: Development of Simulator for Ship Activity Conflict and Future Demand · Son, Woo-Ju (Postdoctoral Researcher, Korea Maritime and Ocean University) Presentation 3: Analysis of Characteristic Factors Affecting Changes in Catch of Inshore and Offshore Fisheries Areas in South Korea using a Spatial Panel · Nam, Jong-Oh (Professor, Pukyong National University) Presentation 4: Development and direction of policy simulators as decision-making tools · Kang, Seungwon (Senior Research Scientist, Korea Institute of Ocean Science & Technology) Presentation 5: Development of marine policy-supportive simulator for assessing the impact of coastal development on physical environments · Son, Donghwi (Researcher, Korea Institute of Ocean Science & Technology) Presentation 6: Comparisons of Two Catch-Quota Management Regimes: An Experimental Investigation · Zhi Li (Professor, Xiamen University)
16:40 – 17:00	Break
17:00 – 17:30	Panel Discussion · Chair: Luky Adrianto (Professor, Bogor University Panel · Panel 1. Kim, Choongki (Senior Research Fellow, Korea Environment Institute) · Panel 2. Son, Woo-Ju (Postdoctoral Researcher, Korea Maritime and Ocean University) · Panel 3. Nam, Jong-Oh (Professor, Pukyong National University) · Panel 4. Kang, Seungwon (Senior Research Scientist, KIOST) · Panel 5. Son, Donghwi (Researcher, Korea Institute of Ocean Science & Technology) · Panel 6. Zhi Li (Associate Professor, Xiamen University)

ST 2.15: From EEZs to the High Seas: Leveraging the ocean-climate biodiversity nexus in accelerating the implementation of ocean-climate action

OVERVIEW

Register here to join the event

AGENDA

ST 2.14: China-ASEAN Marine Ecosystem Protection and Restoration Symposium

Overview

ST 1.9: Engaging Stakeholders in River Basin Planning and Risk Management (Stakeholder Analysis Workshop)

Overview

ST 3.3: China-ASEAN Ocean Remote Sensing Technology Training Workshop

Overview

Program

ST 1.6 How PEMSEA Network Can be Reinforced? (A multi-layered ocean governance methodologies)

Overview

Program

ST 4.3: Start-up and Leadership Development for Sustainable Blue Economies

Overview

Programme:

ST 2.10: Achieving Sustainability through Connectivity for Resilient ASEAN Seas

Overview

Program

ST 2.13: International Symposium on Tsunami Warning and Storm Surge Prediction and Mitigation in the Asia-Pacific Region

Overview

Programme:

ST 2.12: 13th East HAB Symposium/ Exchange the latest status of red tide in East Asia and the discussion on the prevention and mitigation on harmful algal blooms-hypoxia at the background of “Ocean Decade”

Overview

Program

ST 2.8: Reducing Marine Plastics in the East Asian Seas Region: Innovative Solutions and Good Practices at Local Level

Overview

Programme

ST 2.6: Harmonizing Oceans: Transboundary Strategies for Climate Resilience in North-East Asia

Overview

Program

ST 2.2: A Training Session on Pollution Assessment and Management (PAM)

Overview

Programme

ST 2.7: Yellow Sea Biosphere Conservation Cooperation (Regional Cooperation for the Yellow Sea Ecosystem Conservation)

Overview

Programme

ST 1.8: Biofouling Management in the East Asian Seas (EAS) Region

Overview

Programme

ST 1.1: Part 1: From Ratification to Implementation: Asia High-Level Dialogue on the High Seas Treaty; Part 2. From Ratification to Implementation: A deep-dive on the High Seas Treaty, Part V: Capacity-building and Transfer of Marine Technology

Partners

Overview

Programme moderated by Moderator: J. Charles Fox, Executive Director, Oceans5

ST 2.4: Perspectives on Collaborative Actions for Effective Oil Spill Preparedness and Response

Venue

Overview

ST 2.3: Capacity Building Workshop on the Global Estuaries Monitoring (GEM) Programme

Overview

Program

ST 1.5: Area-Based Marine Ecosystem Management for the Implementation of Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework

Overview

Program

ST 2.1: Strategic collaboration in tackling the Triple Planetary Crises in the East Asian Seas Region – Climate Change and Marine Impacts; Nature and Marine Biodiversity Loss; Marine Pollution

Overview

Format

Programme

ST 1.2: Sharing Experiences and Best Practice in Sustainable Management of MPAs Workshop

Partners

Overview

Programme

ST 4.2: Seminar on Blue Carbon Policy, Regulation and Technology

Overview

Programme:

ST 1.3: Mobilizing Action beyond 30×30 Commitment through Institutional Partnership

Overview

ST 1.7: State of River Basin Reporting: Establishing the Baseline and Mechanism to Track Progress in the Source to Sea Continuum

Introduction

Programme:

ST 4.1: Marine Litter Fund Forum

Overview

Programme

ST 3.2: Digital DEPTH (Workshop on Digital Deep-sea Typical Habitats Programme)

Overview

Program

ST 3.1: Marine Spatial Management Utilizing a Big Data-driven Policy Simulator

Background

Program

Quicklinks