A panel of influential leaders in the field of economics and finance, coastal and ocean governance, and science has started discussions to develop ambitious and transformative actions to secure the region’s healthy oceans, people and economies.
Organized by the Partnerships in Environmental Management for Seas of East Asia, the Ocean Leadership Roundtable Dialogue held recently at a hotel in Makati City, aimed to map out the prospects and outlook for the coasts and oceans of the East Asian region beyond 2020. According to Pemsea, ocean protection is gaining political, social,and economic and ecological prominence with the adoption of the UN Sustainable Development Goals, particularly SDG 14 on life below water.
In a statement, Pemsea said the experts provided perspectives on relevant political, economic and social trends and a scientific understanding on how to assess the possible impacts and opportunities of the EAS region post-2020. The dialogue was conducted during the 10th East Asian Seas Partnership Meeting, wherein Pemsea reflected on its body of work on the occasion of its 25th anniversary.
As a collective partnership, Pemsea was introspective about its role in responding to global and regional trends, and the types of future institutional and partnership arrangements it should enter into. It was also contemplating about its continuing focus on scaling up and replicating its Integrated Coastal Management approach.
“Pemsea’s work in scaling up ICM in East Asia and partnerships with national and local governments, international organizations, intergovernmental institutions and other stakeholders were commended as relevant contributions to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goal 14. We aim to advance and align our commitment to the Sustainable Development Strategy for the Seas of East Asia with the global ocean agenda,” said Pemsea Executive Director Aimee Gonzales.
The Philippines Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) has, likewise, supported the implementation of nationwide projects aligned with the UN SDG 14, or the goal to “Conserve and Sustainably Use the Oceans, Seas and Marine Resources for Sustainable Development.”
The discussions during the Ocean Leadership Roundtable session will serve as a lead up to a four-day East Asian Seas (EAS) Congress that will be held from November 27 to 30 in Iloilo City.
With the theme “25 years of Partnerships for Healthy Oceans, People, and Economies: Moving as One with the Global Ocean Agenda,” the EAS Congress is expected to draw some 1000 participants from here and abroad.
It aims to build on existing partnerships and achievements and promote new initiatives, investments and partnerships to accelerate the achievement of national, regional and global targets for the sustainable development of oceans and coasts.
The dialogue speakers included Dr. Chua Thia-Eng, chairman emeritus of the EAS Partnership Council; Deborah Robertson, natural resources specialist of the Asian Development Bank; and Dr. Laura David, professor at the University of the Philippines Marine Science Institute. The “EAS Futures Outlook” roundtable session was facilitated by Dr. Antonio La Viña, Pemsea council chairman.