ABOUT PEMSEA> PROGRAMME COMPONENTS> CAPACITY BUILDING
COASTAL & MARINE POLICY

Objective

To facilitate the formulation and adoption of integrated approaches in managing land and water uses as part of a State's coastal/marine policy and strategies for addressing transboundary environmental issues.

Background

Efforts at addressing issues in the coastal and marine areas have not always been based on a clear management framework and philosophy.

In addition, existing policies on the marine and coastal environment tend to focus on particular problems or sectors, without considering the bigger picture. Sectoral implementation results in conflicts in the laws and regulations as well as between the various agencies involved, thus reducing their overall effectiveness.

Focus

PEMSEA will focus on promoting the development, strengthening and adoption of national coastal and marine policy in East Asia, emphasizing the need for integration. It will encourage the sharing of experiences among participating countries that are at different levels of policy development and improve collaboration among these countries.

Strategies

A shared vision, strategies and action programme will be promoted for the seas of East Asia.

Tools for the adoption of national coastal policy will be developed. These tools include:

• Guidelines for the formulation and adoption of national coastal policy;
• Model national coastal policy; and
• Model implementing legislation.

Policy support will be extended to ICM demonstration sites, pollution hot spots and subregional sea areas.

Good policy practices in the region and the rest of the world will be compiled for use in the development of coastal and marine policy.

Involving policy level officials and regional and legal experts in PEMSEA's work will build consensus.

Towards a Regional Mechanism

Adoption of national coastal and marine policies among the participating countries will promote a common appreciation of shared problems relating to the coastal and marine areas and common approaches to addressing them. This will serve as the basis for the countries to reach an agreement on a common programme of action that will demonstrate how it is possible for countries to work together towards solving problems in the coastal and marine environment.

See related:   Regional Mechanism