Parallel Session

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

Convenors

State Key Laboratory of Marine Pollution (SKLMP), City University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China (SKLMP) Partnerships in Environmental Management for the Seas of East Asia (PEMSEA)

Venue

TBC

Overview

This four-hour 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.

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)
10 min Welcoming and Introduction

  • Professor Kenneth Leung
40 min Environmental Risk Assessment and Risk Management

  • Professor Kenneth Leung
40 min Ecotoxicology of Persistent Organic Pollutants

  • Professor Xinhong Wang (Professor), State Key Laboratory of Marine Environmental Science (MEL), Xiamen University, Fujian Provincial Key Laboratory for Coastal Ecology and Environmental Studies, College of the Environment & Ecology, Xiamen University
40 min Environmental Monitoring and Innovative Technology

  • Professor Rudolf Wu (Research Chair Professor), Advisor (Environmental Science), Department of Science and Environmental Studies, The Education University of Hong Kong; Member of SKLMP
10 min Break
40 min Environmental Risks of E-Waste

  • Professor Henry He (Assistant Professor), School of Energy and Environment, City University of Hong Kong; Member of SKLMP
40 min The Threats and Monitoring Techniques for Antibiotic Resistant Gene

  • Dr. Xuemei Mao (Research Assistant Professor), Department of Civil Engineering, The University of Hong Kong
20 min Free Discussion and Closing Remarks
26 August, 2024

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

Convener

Korea Environment Institute (KEI)

Venue

TBC

Overview

The Yellow Sea is a sea area shared by three countries: South Korea, China and North Korea, with a high social and economic contribution. The coastal wetlands of the Yellow Sea are very important habitats for migratory animal species such as marine mammals and migratory birds.

Recently, China and Korea have been 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 conserve 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.

The integrated management of border oceans was selected as the session topic to contribute to the theme of this EAS Congress, which is Blue Synergy for a Common Future. The 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. These regional solutions should be of great interest to participants.

Expected Outcomes and Outputs

● List of proposed regional solutions that 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 varied marine ecosystems.

Program

TIME AGENDA
15:15 – 14:20 Welcome address

  • Dr. Jongho AHN, Korea Environment Institute
14:20 – 15:05  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. Spike MILLINGTON, International Crane Foundation
15:05 – 15:45 Discussion

  • Dr. Sheila VERGARA, ACB
  • Dr. Suk-jae KWON, KIOST
  • Prof. Qinghua FANG, Xiamen University
  • Free discussion by audience
26 August, 2024

Session ST 1.8: PEMSEA: Biofouling

Convenors

PEMSEA Resource Facility 

Venue

TBC

Overview

Details to follow

Program

Programme to follow

26 August, 2024

Session ST 1.1: From Ratification to Implementation: ASIA DIALOGUE ON THE Biodiversity Beyond National Jurisdiction (BBNJ) AGREEMENT

Convenors

High Seas Alliance

Venue

TBC

Overview

The Biodiversity Beyond National Jurisdiction (BBNJ) 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.  It also establishes a framework of institutional arrangements, including a Conference of Parties, Scientific and Technical Body, Clearing House Mechanism, Financial Resources and Mechanism, Implementation and Compliance Committee.  

In the East Asian Seas region, there are eight (8) countries who have already signed the Agreement (China, Indonesia, LAO PDR, Philippines, RO Korea, Singapore, Timor-Leste and Viet Nam), while the first ratification in Asia still awaits. Under the Partnerships in Environmental Management for the Seas of East Asia, the thrusts of the Sustainable Development Strategy for the Seas of East Asia (SDS-SEA) shall 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.

This two-part side event aims to engage different levels of stakeholders in a dialogue about the Agreement focusing on the perspective of Asian countries. 

Part one (1) is a high-level side event 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. 

Part two (2) is a knowledge-sharing session 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. 

Expected Output/s:

  • Raise awareness and understanding on the salient points and key principles of the BBNJ Agreement and its link to achieving the new ocean targets under the Post-2020 Global Biodiversity Framework; and
  • Increase appreciation of the need to swiftly ratify the Treaty, which can lead to growing participation of key sectors/organization supporting governments of Asian countries in the #RaceForRatification and preparation for the implementation.

Program

TBC

 

26 August, 2024

ST 2.4: Are you prepared for an oil spill incident? Introduction to Crisis & Incident Management and Oiled Wildlife Preparedness and Response

Convener

Oil Spill Response Limited (OSRL)

 

Venue

TBC

Overview

Oil pollution from accidental spills, whether from ships or drilling platforms, occurs globally, posing significant challenges to the local community and other key stakeholders. 

As a Tier 3 oil spill response organization, Oil Spill Response Limited (OSRL) operates worldwide to support our members in preparing for an oil spill incident. Our unique position enables us to integrate our experience and lessons learnt globally and derive insights to deliver effective solutions at the local level where our members operate. Following the NEBA-SIMA workshop held in 2021, OSRL will like to continue to share the industry good practices to oil spill preparedness and response.  

The workshop proposed the sharing on the Tiered Preparedness and Response framework which is another key output from joint industry review post Macondo incident in 2010. The workshop will also dive further into two response capabilities, mainly Crisis & Incident Management and Oiled Wildlife Response.

Following the Macondo incident in 2010, a joint industry task force was set up to review existing good practices to oil spill preparedness and response under Oil Spill Response Joint Industry Project (OSR-JIP). Tiered Preparedness and Response (TPR) philosophy was one of the key outputs of the project which identified (15+ 1) response capabilities necessary for a successful response to oil spill incidents, delivered at three different tiers.

Incident and Crisis Management. Whether undertaken by a government agency or a private organization, successful endeavors share the core principle of effective risk management. Unmitigated risks lead to incidents and crises. Incident and crisis management are central to an organizations’ system to return to its business as usual. The TPR recognizes Incident Management System (and by extension the Crisis Management) at the core of the wheel that links all the response capabilities together for efficient and effective approach in managing incidents and crises.            

Oiled Wildlife Preparedness and Response. Wildlife, particularly birds, reptiles, and mammals, are gravely impacted by oil spills. These environmental disasters not only damage ecosystems but also cause well-documented and often fatal harm to animals, requiring human efforts to save them. Asia is no stranger to oil spills. The geographic region is home to busiest ports in the world and major shipping routes. Furthermore, oil and gas activities are also present. These activities increase the risks of oil spill incidents. Oiled wildlife preparedness and response are set activities and/or mechanisms for managing risks to oiled wildlife. The mechanisms include but not limited to legislations, plan development, access to suitable resources, etc. 

Objectives:

  • Raise awareness on the TPR framework and understand its application on oil spill preparedness and response.
  • Dive into two response capabilities (Crisis & Incident Management System and Oiled Wildlife Response) by introducing core concepts / frameworks and sharing of case studies. 

Expected Outcomes/Outputs

  • Develop an appreciation of TPR philosophy.
  • Understand the core frameworks and concepts of Crisis & Incident Management and Oiled Wildlife Response.
  • Generate collaboration interest and/or engagement opportunities with other country/non-country partners.

Program

Time AGENDA
14:00-14:05 Introduction

  • Mr. Darren Waterman (OSRL)
14:05-14:15 An overview of Industry Good Practices to Oil Spill Preparedness and Response

  • Mr. James Tan (OSRL)
14:15-14:25 Tiered Preparedness and Response Framework

  • Mr. James Tan (OSRL)
14:25-15:10 Introduction to Oiled Wildlife Response

  • TBC
15:10-15:55 Introduction to Crisis & Incident Management

  • Mr. Norman Ramos
15:55-16:00 Summary and Closing

  • TBC
26 August, 2024

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

Convenors

State Key Laboratory of Marine Pollution (SKLMP), City University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China (SKLMP) Partnerships in Environmental Management for the Seas of East Asia (PEMSEA)

 

Venue

TBC

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 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)
14:00- 14:20                            Welcoming and Introduction of the GEM Programme

  • Professor Kenneth Leung
14:20-14:40 Environmental Risk Assessment and Risk Management

  • Professor Kenneth Leung
14:40-15:00 Ecotoxicology of Persistent Organic Pollutants

  • Professor Xinhong Wang (Professor), State Key Laboratory of Marine Environmental Science (MEL), Xiamen University, Fujian Provincial Key Laboratory for Coastal Ecology and Environmental Studies, College of the Environment & Ecology, Xiamen University
15:00-15:20 Progress and Prospects of the GEM Programme

  • Dr. Chong Chen (Postdoc), State Key Laboratory of Marine Pollution (City University of Hong Kong)
15:20-15:40 Advanced Passive Sampler Development

  • Ms. Demilade T. Adedipe (PhD Student), State Key Laboratory of Marine Pollution (City University of Hong Kong)
15:40-16:20 Free Discussion and Closing Remarks

  • Professor Kenneth Leung
  • Professor Xinhong Wang

 

26 August, 2024

Session ST 1.5: Area-based marine ecosystem management to cope with Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework

Convenors

The Korea Marine Environment Management Corporation (KOEM)

Venue

TBC

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, under the Climate Change Convention, the Ocean and Climate Change Dialogue also evaluates and recommends nature-based solutions in the ocean as beneficial activities for both climate change mitigation and adaptation.

In line with these demands and trends in the international community, it is expected that the demand for localized conservation and protection efforts in marine ecosystem management will further expand.

KOEM recognizes the necessity of information exchange among neighboring countries for the progressive formulation of regional-based ecosystem management policies, supporting and executing policies for monitoring, protecting and sustainably utilizing marine ecosystems in Korea.

Expected Output/s:

  • Share the current status of national-level marine ecosystem management policies within the East Asian 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

  • Moderator: KOEM International Affairs Department
10:02-10:05 Opening Address

  • KOEM CEO
Session 1. Presentation session – Objective: Sharing efforts for implementing GBF within the East Asian regional seas
10:05-10:20 (Korea) Legal framework, institutional implementation status, and achievements for GBF implementation

  • KOEM Young-Nam Kim
10:20-10:35 (China) Legal framework, institutional implementation status, and achievements for GBF implementation

  • TBD
10:35-10:50 (Philippines) Legal framework, institutional implementation status, and achievements for GBF implementation

  • TBD
10:50-11:05 (EAS Country) Legal framework, institutional implementation status, and achievements for GBF implementation

  • TBD
Session 2. Discussion session – Objective: Exploring development strategies for area-based ecosystem management policies
11:05-11:25 Theme: Considerations for formulating Area-based marine ecosystem management policies (Lessons Learned) 

– Proposals and discussions on intergovernmental cooperation activities (joint research, collaborative project development, etc.)

  • Chairperson: Suk-Jae, Kwon(PEMSEA Technical Session Co-Chair)
  • Discussants: presenters
11:25-11:35 Closing

  • Chairperson/moderator
26 August, 2024

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

Convener

UNEP Coordinating Body on the Seas of East Asia (COBSEA) and UNEP GEF South China Seas Strategic Action Programme (SCS SAP)

Venue

TBC

Overview

In line with COBSEA’s Strategic Directions 2023-27, this roundtable will bring together key proponents to discuss the scaling-up of local solutions and community-driven initiatives to combat the triple planetary crises of Climate Change, Biodiversity Loss and Pollution in the East Asian Seas region.  

The roundtable will also discuss effective ocean governance mechanisms in promoting “Blue Synergy for a Shared Future: One Sustainable and Resilient Ocean,” the theme of the EAS 2024 Conference.

The session aims to enhance knowledge and partnerships for tackling the triple planetary crises in the East Asian Seas: Climate Change Impacts, Nature and Marine Biodiversity Loss and Marine Pollution.

Expected Output/s:

  • Report of the roundtable discussion on: effective ocean governance mechanisms in promoting “Blue Synergy for a Shared Future: One Sustainable and Resilient Ocean.”

Program

Details to follow

26 August, 2024

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

Convenors

China PEMSEA Sustainable Coastal Management Cooperation Center – CPC

Partnership in Environmental Management for the Seas of East Asia (PEMSEA)

First Institute of Oceanography, Ministry of Natural Resources (FIO)

Partners

Third Institute of Oceanography, MNR (TIO)

Qingdao Ocean Decade Cooperation Center (ODCC)

Beijing Office of Natural Resources Defense Council (NDRC)

Beijing Office of WildAid

Beijing Office of World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF)

Beijing Entrepreneurs Environment Protection Foundation (SEE FOUNDATION)

Venue

TBC

Overview

The Kunming Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework, as the common vision for global biodiversity conservation, is a major and important achievement for international cooperation on global biodiversity conservation. TARGET 3 of the Framework indicates that at least 30% of marine and coastal areas should be 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 the blue economy for oceans and coasts. While Other Effective area-based Conservation Measures (OECMs) are one of the important area-based management tools for onsite marine conservation. In recent years, OECMs have gradually gained international attention and are considered as new and powerful tools that can significantly increase protected areas both on land and at sea.

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 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 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 for 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 management capacity and effectiveness of OECM through the release of three important outputs.

Program

7 November 10:00 – 12:00, Best Practice & Tools for MPA Management
10:00 – 10:10 Opening remarks from MNR and PEMSEA Chaired by XXX Invited by
Evaluating MPA Networks: Lesson from California USA

(Mr. Mark Carr, Professor, University of California)

 NRDC
How to Support Community-Led Enforcement of MPAs: Success Stories from WildAid’s Global Programs

(Mr. Gregg Casad, Senior Compliance Advisor of WildAid)

 WildAid
Marine Biodiversity Conservation and MPAs

(Neil Cox, Manager of the IUCN-Conservation International Biodiversity Assessment Unit)

 SEE
New outputs releasing on《Range Manual for MPA》 (10-15min)

(Ms. Chong YU, Chief representative of WildAid Beijing Office)

 WildAid
Panel Discussion: FIO/SIO/TIO, Philippines, Korea (Chair+3, 10min/speaker)

 

  • Ms. Jing WANG, Chief of Marine Conservation SEE FOUNDATION

 

7 November 14:00 – 17:30, MPA & OECM for 3030 Target in the EAS Region Chaired by XXX Invited by
OECM related presentation NRDC
New outputs releasing 《Study on Marine OECMs Identification in China》
Panel Discussion on OECMs: (Chair+4 , 10min/speaker) FIO/SIO/TIO, Japan, Cambodia, others

  • Yinfeng GUO，National Marine Hazard Mitigation Service (NMHMS), MNR
15:30 – 16:00 Coffee Break
Prospectives on North-East Asia MPA Networks

(Ms. Mi-Jin Lee, East and North-East Asia office of UN-ESCAP)

 FIO
New outputs releasing 《Conservation Initiative of Spotted Seals》

(Mr. Zhuang Hongfei, First Institute of Oceanography MNR China)

 FIO
Panel Discussion on 3030 for EAS Panel Discussion (Chair+4 , 10min/speaker) FIO/SIO/TIO, Japan, Cambodia, others

  • Patrick YEUNG，

Akbar，Partner of SEE Indonesia, Local Community

 
26 August, 2024

ST 4.2 Blue Carbon

Organizers

OPRI-SPF

CIMA

PEMSEA Resource Facility

Venue

TBC

 

Overview

Details to follow.

 

Program

Details to follow.

26 August, 2024