The Opening Ceremony of the Ministerial Forum was held on 14 December in Haikou City and was participated in by Ministers and Senior Government Officials from East Asian Countries.

Mr. Sun Zhihui, SOA Administrator and Forum Chair, highlighted China’s initiatives related to the protection and management of the coastal and marine environment of the region.

Mr. Yu Xun, Hainan Deputy Governor, noted the contribution of the EAS Congress 2006 in building a platform for the region as well as for the province of Hainan in promoting an ocean-based economy.

Dr. Andrew Hudson, Principal Technical Advisor, International Waters, UNDP, emphasized the experience of PEMSEA and underscored the significance of cooperation in addressing environmental, social and economic problems.

Dr. Jean-Claude Sainlos, Director, Marine Environment Division, IMO, highlighted the significance of the Sustainable Development Strategy for the Seas of East Asia (SDS-SEA) as a framework and guidance in the implementation of the IMO Conventions in the region.

(From left to right) H.E. Chuan Leekpai, former Prime Minister of Thailand, Dr. Chua Thia-Eng, Regional Programme Director of PEMSEA, Dr. Alfred Duda, GEF, and Dr. Andrew Hudson, Principal Technical Advisor, International Waters, UNDP, during the Opening Ceremony of the Ministerial Forum.

Representatives of organizations, institutions and programmes were granted Observer status during the second day of the Ministerial Forum, on 15 December, at the Huandao Tide Hotel, Haikou City.

Mr. Chen Lianzeng, Deputy Administrator of the State Oceanic Administration of China, stressed that the Putrajaya Declaration of the First Ministerial Forum in 2003 reflected the common responsibility and commitments of the countries in the region to implement the WSSD Plan of Implementation through the SDS-SEA.

Hon. Kim Gyong Jun, Vice Minister of the Ministry of Land and Environmental Protection (MLEP), represented the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea.

Dra. Masnellyarti Hilman, Deputy Minister for Nature Conservation Enhancement and Environmental Degradation Control, Ministry of Environment, represented Indonesia.

Heads of delegation delivered their respective country statements during the Ministerial Forum session on 15 December.

Hon. Heizo Kito, Deputy Minister for Technical Affairs, Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport, Japan; Hon. Noulinh Sinbandhit, Chairman, Water Resource Coordination Committee Secretariat, Prime Minister’s Office, Lao PDR; and Hon. Angelo T. Reyes, Secretary, Department of Environment and Natural Resources, Philippines.

Country delegations, representatives of Observer organizations, institutions and programmes, and other participants during the Forum.

Hon. Noulinh Sinbandhit, Chair, Water Resource Coordination Committee Secretariat, Prime Minister’s Office, Lao PDR, stressed that “action to protect the environment is considered a duty of all organizations and citizens.”

Hon. Angelo T. Reyes, Department of Environment and Natural Resources, Philippines, commended the abundance and diversity of the country’s coastal and marine resources at the same time lamenting the current environmental state of the oceans, coasts and resources in the country.

Hon. Eun Lee, Vice Minister of the Ministry of Maritime Affairs and Fisheries, Republic of Korea, cited active cooperation at the international and regional levels as a vital factor in protecting the marine environment.

Hon. Eun Lee of RO Korea; Hon. Rosa Chen Huey, Deputy Secretary, Ministry of the Environment and Water Resources, Singapore; and Hon. Estanislau Aleixo da Silva, Deputy Prime Minister, Minister, Ministry of Agriculture, Forest and Fisheries, Timor-Leste.

Dr. Dang Hong Vu, Vice Minister, Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment, Vietnam, stated that legislative measures were adopted to address the environmental problems.

Dr. Jean-Claude Sainlos, IMO; Hon. Sun Zhihui, SOA, China; Dr. Andrew Hudson, International Waters, UNDP/GEF; and Dr. Chua Thia-Eng, PEMSEA.

Dr. Alfred Duda, Senior Advisor on International Waters, GEF Secretariat.

Given the broad areas of common interest between PEMSEA and FAO, Mr. He Changchui, FAO Assistant Director General, Regional Office for Asia and the Pacific, expressed willingness to cooperate especially in areas of sustainable fisheries and coastal zone management.

Dr. Magda Lovei, The World Bank, outlined some of the possible major areas of strategic partnerships with PEMSEA, including integrated management and involvement of local communities in pollution reduction and adoption of clean production technology, scaling up successful pilot conservation programmes, and application of innovative financing tools.

On board the R/V Haijian 83 of of China, Mr. Khieu Muth, Secretary of State for the Environment, Cambodia, began the signing ceremony by signing the Haikou Partnership Agreement and a globe symbolizing partnership.

Mr. Sun Zhihui, Administrator of China’s State Oceanic Administration, signing the Haikou Partnership Agreement.

Dr. Li Haiqing of SOA served as Master of Ceremonies for the signing ceremony.

Mr. Dang Hang Vo, Vice Minister, Ministry of Natural Resources and the Environment, Vietnam, signing the Haikou Partnership Agreement.

Mr. Dang Hang Vo being congratulated by Dr. Andrew Hudson of UNDP.

A toast to celebrate the adoption of the Haikou Partnership Agreement for the Implementation of the SDS-SEA.

Solidarity chain of the country partners.

Mr. Sun Zhihui and Dr. Chua Thia-Eng presented the signed globe to the observers and other guests.