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1.
Organization/Project Name: Partnerships on Environmental
Management for the Seas of East Asia
2. Brief Introduction of the Partner
For more than a decade, PEMSEA has been at the forefront of protecting
life support systems and promoting the sustainable use and management of
coastal and marine resources through intergovernmental, interagency, and
multisectoral partnerships. It has endeavored to remove the critical
barriers to effective environmental management such as inadequate or
inappropriate policies, disparate institutional capacity and technical
capabilities, and limited investment in environmental facilities and
services. In the course of its operation, the programme has developed
management-related methodologies, techniques, working models, and
standards to strengthen practical efforts in the field.
3. PEMSEA programme components
Integrated Coastal Management and Risk Assessment / Risk Management
An integral part of this regional effort is the on-the-ground
implementation of two management frameworks: The Integrated Coastal
Management or ICM, which addresses land-water interactions and the
impacts of human activity in coastal areas; and the Risk Assessment and
Risk Management, which applies to subregional sea areas and the impacts
of human activities on marine ecosystems. The ICM framework provides
local government units with tools to harmonize the economic development
and environmental management of coastal and marine areas. The programme
has established national demonstration sites that provide hands-on
experience in implementing ICM in various localities across the
region—each with different development priorities.
Regional Networking
Stronger links between local government units implementing ICM have been
achieved through the formation of the Regional Network of Local
Governments, which provides an interactive venue for local government
practitioners of ICM to share experiences in the governance of coastal
and marine resources. This endeavor has consolidated and built on each
country’s experience by transferring lessons learned and enhancing
required skills and capacities across the region, supported by a
comprehensive, systematic, region-wide action program.
Capacity Building
These initiatives cover specialized training seminars in ICM,
environmental risk assessment and risk management, project development,
coastal use zoning, oil spill preparedness and response, and integrated
environmental monitoring, among others. Further, through the
professional apprenticeship program, the regional partnership has been
able to provide on-the-job training for interns and fellows and increase
awareness and respect for other cultures in the region and beyond.
Complementing these capacity-building efforts is the establishment of an
ICM regional training center in Xiamen, China and national training
centers in Batangas, Philippines, and in the Democratic People’s
Republic of Korea.
Intellectual Capital
Harvesting the scientific and technical affluence in the region and
processing it into workable solutions through venues such as the Meeting
of Experts, has proven effective in bridging information gaps to support
policy development. Through the development of the Integrated
Information Management System or IIMS, sharing the technical inputs of
science and packaging them into accessible information for regional
consumption has been made possible. This web-enabled information system
allows networking among project sites and fast access and connectivity
to stakeholders and partners in all sectors throughout local and
regional settings. Anchored on this concept of connectivity is the
linking of websites among countries aptly called Coast to Coast or C2C,
which aims to further supplement the integration of data among concerned
stakeholders.
Public
Mobilization
The influx of knowledge and skills in sustainable development has
enabled the delivery capacities of non-government and community-based
organizations, environmental journalists, the youth, and other
stakeholders via concrete action programs. Partnership with the media
has been nurtured through media conferences and forums on various
occasions, emphasizing its role in sustainable development.
Environmental Investments
Recognizing that both the public and private sectors and communities in
general can benefit by pooling their resources and sharing
responsibilities, the region has employed the Public-Private Partnership
approach or PPP—an innovative tool and alternative delivery mechanism
that brings together the skills and resources of diverse partners in the
development of environmental services and facilities at the local level,
particularly for small and medium-sized municipalities.
Possible investments in environmental facilities and services using
clean technology have been packaged into profitable projects around the
region, and in the process, have turned environmental problems into
lucrative enterprises. Current PPP projects include: the Integrated
Solid Waste Management Systems in Pampanga and Bataan in the
Philippines; the Integrated Environmental Management and Development
Project for Maluan Bay in Xiamen, China; and the Integrated Industrial
Wastewater and Hazardous Waste Treatment System in Danang, Vietnam.
Upcoming activities related to the Yellow Sea Partnership
As part of the Public Awareness and Communication Strategy, the EAS Seas
Congress which features seven thematic sessions is an important event
that could generate support for sustainable management and protection of
the East Asian Seas, including large marine ecosystems such as the
Yellow Sea. It aims to raise awareness and provide venues for discussion
among various stakeholders and partners on the issues confronting the
East Asian Seas Region and the ways of finding possible solution to
these challenges. By targeting on a wide range of participants, the
International Conferences and Workshops will serve not only as a
learning experience
The EAS Congress also features the Youth Forum - a venue for young
people in the region to come together and share experiences and stories,
knowledge and ideas on improving coastal and ocean management. It aims
to: (1) increase the awareness and appreciation of the youth on the rich
marine heritage of the East Asian region; (2) to facilitate an effective
learning experience through interaction with experts and leading
authorities on coastal and ocean management; and (3) to seed confidence
and develop leadership potential among youngsters in the region.
4. Contact Information
PEMSEA Regional Programme Office
DENR Compound, Visayas Avenue, Quezon City
1101 Philippines
Mailing Address : P.O. Box 2502 Quezon City 1165
Philippines
Telephone (632) 920-2211; 926-3752
Telefax (632) 926-9712; 426-3849
Website : www.pemsea.org
E-mail info@pemsea.org |
