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THE EAST ASIAN SEAS CONGRESS

Background and Features

The year 2003 created new opportunities for the sustainable development of the seas of East Asia, as it heralded the birth of the first-ever East Asian Seas Congress. This five-day event, held from 8-12 December in Putrajaya, Malaysia, brought together various stakeholders from diverse disciplines to work hand-in-hand to uphold the welfare of the East Asian Seas and ensure the sustainability of their resources. It will be remembered as the occasion where the Sustainable Development Strategy for the Seas of East Asia (SDS-SEA) was endorsed by environment- and ocean-related ministers and senior officials from PEMSEA’s twelve participating countries, with the signing of the Putrajaya Declaration.

This Congress, a follow-up to the Putrajaya event, promises to drive the wheels of sustainable development in continuous motion, thereby bringing East Asia closer and closer to ultimately achieving a healthy and bountiful future for its seas and its people. Designed to address pressing coastal and marine environmental issues in practical formats and against a multidisciplinary setting, the various Congress components provide participants the opportunity to take active roles in sustainable development.

The EAS Congress 2006 features the:

• Ministerial Forum* on the Implementation of the Sustainable Development Strategy for the Seas of East Asia* -- 14-15 December 2006;

• International Conference on Coastal and Ocean Governance: One Ocean, One People, One Vision -- 12-14 December 2006; and

• Meeting of the EAS Partnership Council* -- 16 December 2006.

A number of side events, including the First EAS Youth Forum and the Inaugural Meeting of the PEMSEA Network of Local Governments, organized by PEMSEA and its partners, will also be held during the Congress.

Congress Objectives

ONE OCEAN - As the interconnected seas and waterways of the East Asian region are affected by common issues and problems, the Congress will highlight shared developments on sustainable coastal and ocean management, as well as identify common strategies and solutions.

ONE PEOPLE - Culturally, politically and economically interconnected and joined together by the East Asian Seas, the Congress seeks to bring together multi-level stakeholders and partner organizations/ experts to pool valuable expertise, knowledge and resources, from youth and women’s groups to policymakers from government and international organizations.

ONE VISION - The Congress aims to foster the ideals of regional partnership and advance sustainability for the Seas of East Asia through a venue for dialogue, knowledge exchange and collaboration.
 

*Event by invitation only