REPORT OF THE REGIONAL PROGRAMME DIRECTOR/ INTERIM EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

Transcription

1 06 July st EAS Partnership Council Meeting Agenda Item: Technical Session 2.0 REPORT OF THE REGIONAL PROGRAMME DIRECTOR/ INTERIM EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR I. Introduction 1. The report of the Regional Programme Director / Interim Executive Director (RPD-IED) will cover activities undertaken by the Regional Programme on Building Partnerships in Environmental Management for the Seas of East Asia (PEMSEA) since the Inaugural Meeting of the Partnership Council held on 16 December 2006 in Haikou City, China. 2. The Inaugural Meeting was participated in by 11 State Partners, 12 Non-State Partners, one Observer Country, 8 Non-State Observers and three Sponsoring Organizations. The meeting deliberated on essential program undertakings and preparatory activities for the effective implementation of the Sustainable Development Strategy for the Seas of East Asia (SDS-SEA). The meeting marked a historical milestone for the region as the Partners formally commenced the process of transforming the present Regional Programme into a new regional coordinating mechanism. The regional mechanism, which includes the EAS Partnership Council, the PEMSEA Resource Facility (PRF), the EAS Congress and the Ministerial Forum, aims to realize the collective aspirations of the region by facilitating the application of partnership-oriented strategies contained in the SDS-SEA. The inclusive character of the SDS-SEA which provides an overarching framework for sustainable development, allows individual action programs to be accommodated into one overall blueprint for the protection, conservation and sustainable use of the region s marine and coastal resources. 3. From January to June 2007, PEMSEA Regional Programme Office (RPO) and the partners carried on the important task of preparing the current program for the transitional phase of SDS-SEA implementation (first 3 years). Utmost efforts were exerted to undertake the needed bridging and preparatory activities for SDS-SEA implementation. PEMSEA focused on activities that would continue to sustain the benefits of its past interventions while at the same time responding to emerging and urgent environmental problems at the local and national levels, such as the recent oil spill issue in Vietnam and the general concerns over the environmental impacts of climate change. Likewise, as a primary regional program on coasts and oceans, PEMSEA deemed it essential to continuously develop management methodologies and scientific tools along with improvements to its facilities, logistics and a planned augmentation of its manpower. 4. This report was divided into two main parts. The first part details the steps undertaken by the RPO to bring closure to the current phase of PEMSEA and Page 1 of 34 pages

2 provides information on its transformation to a regional mechanism. The second part reports on the bridging and preparatory activities undertaken by PEMSEA and is divided into three sections: a. Section A is devoted to bridging activities undertaken at the sites and the results and outcomes thereof. Countries involved include: i. Cambodia (A.1), ii. China (A.2), iii. Indonesia (A.3), iv. Lao PDR (A.4), v. Philippines (A.5), vi. Thailand (A.6), vii. Vietnam (A.7), and viii. Timor Leste (A.8) b. Section B highlights the strategic activities that the RPO has initiated to consolidate the gains of its program portfolio and streamline its operations to better serve its clientele in the future. Impact areas identified include: i. ICM training program (B.1), ii. Development of a postgraduate ICM curriculum (B.2), iii. ICM Code (B.3), iv. PEMSEA Task Force (B.4), v. PEMSEA Network of Local Governments (B.5), vi. Regional Task Force (RTF) / National Task Force ( NTF ) trainings (B.6), vii. State of the Coasts Reporting (B.7), viii. Areas of Excellence (AOE) work programs (B.8), ix. Corporate development strategy (B.9), x. Integrated Information Management System (IIMS) Technical services (B.10), xi. Coastal Use Zoning manual (B.11), xii. East Asian Seas (EAS) Congress 2009 (B.12), xiii. Port Safety, Health and Environmental Management Systems (PSHEMS) (B.13), and xiv. EAS Partnership Fund Arrangements (B.14). c. Section C reports on the other activities undertaken by PEMSEA, namely: i. Implementation of the Medium Sized Project on Public Private Partnerships on the Development and Implementation of Environmental Investments (C.1), ii. Cooperation and Collaboration with Partners (C.2), iii. International Conferences, Workshops and Seminars participated in by PEMSEA (C.3), Page 2 of 34 pages

3 iv. Communications and Publications (C.4), v. Resource Mobilization (C.5) and vi. Budget Expenditure (C.6). d. Section D summarizes the challenges and opportunities that PEMSEA needs to consider as part of its future development. 5. In spite of the Regional Programme s significant achievements, what has been a collective undertaking in pursuit of sustainable development in the EAS region remains a relevant and worthwhile quest for PEMSEA, as it tries to methodically tackle the perennial challenge of creating an ecologically sound environment for its stakeholders. With renewed enthusiasm, inspired by the confidence and trust given by its donors and partners, PEMSEA finds itself strategically positioned to work hand in hand with its partners for the implementation of the SDS-SEA. II. Closure of the Current Phase of PEMSEA and Transformation to a Regional Mechanism 6. At the start of the year, the Regional Programme developed a Strategic Work Plan to fulfill its remaining deliverables under the current phase, and to undertake the necessary preparations for the coming phase. Among the major tasks identified were: a. the completion of all pending project activities and closure of the current phase of the Regional Programme; b. the development and approval of the new GEF/UNDP Project on Implementation of the SDS-SEA; c. the confirmation of administrative and operating arrangements for the new project with UNDP and UNOPS; and d. the operationalization of the new mechanism for the Implementation of the SDS-SEA. a. Completion of pending project activities 7. To carry out the effective closure of its numerous activities in the region, the RPO performed a number of desk review audits and requested the various Project Management Offices (PMOs) to submit all remaining outputs highlighted in their contractual obligations along with their respective site terminal reports, inventory of equipment and financial delivery reports. By end of the first quarter, 95% of all field projects were completed, project terminal reports were submitted and inventories of equipment were provided by the PMOs. 8. An external audit of PEMSEA accounts for the period covering January to December 2006 was conducted from 12 February to 2 March The audit was commissioned by IMO London. The audit covered the adequacy of the accounting and financial operations and reporting systems, including: budget control, cash management, receipt and disbursement of funds, recording of all Page 3 of 34 pages

4 financial transactions in expenditure reports, records maintenance and control; the competitiveness, transparency and effectiveness of the procurement activities of the project in order to ensure that the equipment and services purchased meet the requirement and consistent with established policies and guidelines; and asset management, cash management, general administration and information management. The external audit was successfully completed, with all accounting records verified and no major non-conformities in the financial and administrative system identified. b. Development and approval of the new GEF/UNDP Project on Implementation of the SDS-SEA 9. The Executive Summary and Project Document for the GEF project entitled Implementation of the Sustainable Development Strategy for the Seas of East Asia (SDS-SEA) were submitted to UNDP and GEF on 23 March The Project Document outlines the major issues and problems to be addressed by the project, the strategy for project implementation, expected global, national and local benefits, country ownership, project sustainability, replicability, management arrangements and the project work plan and budget (Annex 1. Request for Council Work Programme Inclusion and table of content). The Project Document was approved by the GEF Council in June c. Confirmation of Administrative and Operating Arrangements for the New Project with UNDP and UNOPS 10. Cost Sharing Arrangements (CSAs) were signed between UNDP and China, Japan and RO Korea to finance the operation of the PRF Secretariat Services. A total of US$ 356,383 was received by UNDP. After deduction of administrative service charges by UNDP, the balance of funds for the operation of the PRF Secretariat Services is US$ 327,872. Seven staff will be hired for the PRF Secretariat Services, including two international staff and five national staff as noted in Annex 2. d. Operationalization of the New Mechanism for the Implementation of the SDS-SEA d.1 Establishment of the PEMSEA Resource Facility (PRF) 11. The RPO has started the necessary preparations to set-up the PRF Secretariat Services. In close consultation with the RPO, UNDP initiated staffing action with the announcement of a number of posts for the PRF Secretariat Services in May, including: Programme Specialist (1), Programme Officer (1), Technical Officer (2), Finance Assistant (1) and Programme Assistant (1). The staffing of posts is expected to be completed by the end of August. The PRF Secretariat Services will become operational in September With the recent approval of the GEF/UNDP/PEMSEA project on Implementation of the SDS-SEA, staffing of the PRF Technical Services will commence in August, Page 4 of 34 pages

5 with the expected start-up of the project in October Twenty-five (25) posts have been identified, including 6 in the Executive Director s Office (1 international; 5 national), and 19 in the PRF Technical Services (4 international; 15 national). d.2 Construction of new PEMSEA office 13. The construction of PEMSEA s new office building commenced in April The construction is in accordance to the pledge of national support by Secretary Angelo Reyes of the Philippine Department of Environment and Natural Resources during the Ministerial Forum in December At that time, Secretary Reyes offered to continue hosting the RPO/PRF and to provide the necessary administrative and technical support. The new two-storey building is located adjacent to the present RPO office in the DENR compound. The DENR has committed PhP 5 million ($110,000) for putting up the building structure. Interior finishing and furnishing of the building is being facilitated through the Regional Programme budget. d.3 Refurbishment of existing office and facilities 14. The RPO has likewise undertaken a number of facilities and equipment upgrading to prepare itself for the next phase. The existing office is being refurbished and decongested to provide adequate working space, sanitation facilities, improvement of the telephone system, and enhancement of the IT system. III. Bridging activities undertaken since the Inaugural Partnership meeting A. Bridging Activities in participating countries 15. To ensure a smooth transition of the current program to the next phase, PEMSEA has initiated bridging activities in concerned participating countries. Planning meetings were conducted in Cambodia, China, Indonesia, Lao PDR, Thailand, Philippines and Vietnam. The planning meetings included the development of bridging activities in support of the next phase of PEMSEA. A.1 Cambodia 16. Bridging activities in Cambodia will occur at the national level, as well as the Sihanoukville ICM site, as follows: a. Formulation of a strategy and work plan for the development of a national marine policy/strategy. The bridging project entails the review and evaluation of existing policies and programs concerning coastal and ocean governance in Cambodia. A report on existing policies, strategies, laws and institutional arrangements regarding coastal and ocean governance and marine affairs will be produced, and a national workshop will be conducted to formulate a strategy and work plan for the development of national marine Page 5 of 34 pages

6 policy/strategy in line with the SDS-SEA and other regional and global instruments b. Streamlining the approach for a national ICM program. The project s objective is the preparation of a strategy and work plan for streamlining and scaling up ICM efforts in Cambodia over the next six years. The bridging project will review and build upon existing and proposed policies, institutional arrangements, programs/projects on coastal management in Cambodia. A national consultation workshop on ICM scaling-up will be conducted. c. Sub-decree on the establishment of a national system for OPRC. In support of the national oil spill contingency plan, which was prepared during the current phase of the PEMSEA Regional Programme, a national subdecree has been drafted by the Ministry of Works and Transport, National Oil Spill Response. A national workshop on the proposed sub-decree will be held and a revised sub-decree will be submitted for approval by the Council of Ministers. d. Second cycle ICM program priorities and initiatives in Sihanoukville. The bridging project includes activities covering institutional arrangements (transformation of PCC, sustainable operation of PMO and Sihanoukville Environmental Laboratory), strategic actions (scaling up of solid waste management system, sustainable beach tourism), capacity development (upgrading of the analytical laboratory and training on IIMS) and public awareness. An Action Plan for the implementation of the Sihanoukville Coastal Strategy will be prepared and incorporated into the work program for the follow-on project. A.2 China 17. In China, PEMSEA held separate meetings with the national focal point and concerned representatives from the various ICM demonstrate and parallel sites, as well as those local governments around the Bohai Sea area. Major bridging activities include: a. Preparation of a detailed work plan for SDS-SEA implementation in China. In summary, implementation of the SDS-SEA in China will involve the following activities: i. Developing and putting into service, at national and regional levels, a regular reporting system for the State of the Coasts (SOC) report for the Seas of East Asia; ii. Promoting national policy, legislative and institutional reforms including strengthening interagency and multi-sectoral coordinating mechanisms aimed at improved integrated management of marine and coastal areas; iii. Institutional arrangements for national ICM programs; iv. Capacity building for local government ICM programs; Page 6 of 34 pages

7 v. Implementing Bohai Sea Sustainable Development Strategy (BS- SDS) by focusing on a selected watershed area and addressing water pollution reduction and related financing and investment options; vi. Supporting the efforts of the Xiamen ICM site in addressing pollution caused by upstream activities; vii. Organizing specialized training courses at the national and subregional levels; viii. Strengthening the secretariat support in Xiamen for the PEMSEA network of local governments (PNLG); ix. Identifying the needs and potential roles of private sector and industry for the implementation of coastal strategies; x. Evaluating, package and promote good practices of the Strategic Partnership, and subproject within the Partnership; and xi. Supporting the efforts of the Xiamen city government in the organization and conduct of the World Ocean Week. b. Sea Use Zoning related activities. Preparation of guidelines on sea use zoning, based primarily on Chinese experience and the development and conduct of regional training courses on sea use zoning in collaboration with the State Oceanic Administration (SOA) China. c. World Ocean Week in Xiamen. Assisting Xiamen Municipality in the preparation and conduct of the World Ocean Week, establishment of sister relationship with the city of Stockholm, and linking World Water Week in Stockholm with the World Ocean Week in Xiamen. d. PNLG Secretariat services. Supporting the PNLG secretariat in Xiamen with the organization of the PNLG workshop on natural hazard prevention and management, and facilitating a study tour for government officials attending the PNLG workshop to visit other ICM sites. e. Capacity Building. Assisting Xiamen University in strengthening its training program and the implementation of a postgraduate degree course on Marine Affairs. A.3 Indonesia 18. In Indonesia, a meeting with twenty stakeholder organizations was held at BAPEDALDA of Bali province on 6 February The meeting identified activities that will contribute to the strengthening of integrated management of watershed, river basins and the coastal seas; strengthening law enforcement and addressing the concerns of declining local culture and values due to the influence of modernization and globalization; and promoting community awareness on the importance of natural resources and environmental conservation. In addition, during the Leadership Forum held in April 2006, the following activities were agreed upon to enhance environmental quality of Jakarta Bay coastal area and its watershed: Page 7 of 34 pages

8 a. Forge the commitments of national and local leaders to the application of integrated river basins and coastal management of Jakarta Bay through ecosystem-based approach; b. Establish inter-agency and multi-sectoral coordinating mechanism to effectively address critical issues, including land- and sea-based pollution, threatening the environmental sustainability of Jakarta Bay; c. Formulate a long-term strategic plan for the integrated ecosystem-based management of Jakarta Bay, through the consensus and partnerships among various stakeholders; d. Strengthen the capacity of relevant governments, institutions, sectors and community members for the active participation and contributions to the management of Jakarta Bay ecosystems and resources. 19. A draft UNDP Small Grants Programme (SGP) project proposal on coral rehabilitation at Les Village, Tejakula Subdistrict, Buleleng Regency, Bali Province has been prepared by the Bali PMO and reviewed by PEMSEA s RPO. A.4 Lao PDR 20. In Lao PDR, PEMSEA conducted a mission to Vientiane, Champasack and Saravanne in April It was agreed that the national SDS-SEA implementation project will focus on capacity development in: a. multiple water-use planning and strategy development; b. reduction in water pollution through fostering good practices in community/ household-based waste management; c. creation of alternative livelihoods; d. promotion of community development, public awareness and advocacy; and e. participation in ICM training courses and study tours organized by PEMSEA. 21. Accordingly, an initial draft project work plan and budget were formulated. Meetings with the Mekong River Commission and the UNDP Country Office in Vientiane resulted in the identification of potential areas of collaboration, particularly in terms of information exchange and operational linkages. Partnerships with other major donor funded projects having similar objectives in the country, such as EU, World Bank and ADB, are still being explored. A.5 Philippines 22. In the Philippines, bridging activities are focusing on the following areas: a. Formulation of strategy and workplan for the development of a national SDS policy/strategy. The project involves the preparation of a White Paper, strategy and work plan for a national policy covering coastal and ocean governance in the Philippines, in line with the framework provided by the SDS-SEA. Page 8 of 34 pages

9 b. Streamlining institutional and operational arrangements for River Basin and Coastal Area Management (RBCAM). This project entails streamlining the institutional mechanisms, operational arrangements, resource allocations/commitments, and pollution reduction investment strategies and plans for the implementation of a comprehensive river basin and coastal area management program in the Philippines. A Presidential Executive Order covering implementation of a RBCAM is the principal expected output of the project. An IIMS-River Basin Information Management module is also being developed and demonstrated, for replication in other river basins of the region. In addition, a methodology for preparing an Integrated River Basin Coastal Area Investment Plan on Pollution Reduction is being demonstrated in the Manila Bay watershed, for use in the follow-on PEMSEA project. c. Development of coordinating mechanism and 6-Year Work Program for ICM scaling up in line with the implementation of Executive Order (EO) 533. This project involves a review of policies, institutional arrangements and existing/planned programs and projects on coastal area/resource management in the Philippines, with a view to recommending improvements in coordinating mechanisms, institutional arrangements and work programs for ICM scaling-up. Establishment of a national ICM scaling up program is in direct response to Presidential Executive Order 533 (June 2006), wherein the Philippines adopted ICM as a strategy for sustainable development of its marine and coastal resources. A.6 Thailand 23. In Thailand, PEMSEA held meetings and consultations with various partners and collaborators on April 2007 concerning potential roles/contributions/activities in the implementation of the SDS-SEA. A meeting was likewise conducted between the RPO and key ICM implementers and PMO in Chonburi, to discuss strategies and focus areas for SDS-SEA implementation in the coastal province. The consultations led to the identification of following bridging activities: a. ICM Framework on Sustainable Development of Coastal and Urban Areas Strengthening the understanding and implementation of the ICM framework to be implemented by the 22 municipalities and administrative office in Chonburi Province. b. Gulf of Thailand s Oil Spill and Preparedness and Response Contingency Plan in collaboration with Cambodia and Vietnam. Supporting the efforts of the Marine Department, Ministry of Transport, (i.e., Thailand s National Focal Point for the Framework Programme for Joint Oil Spill Preparedness, Response and Cooperation in the Gulf of Thailand) as host of the Programme Secretariat and organizer of the annual meeting of National Focal Points in 2007, involving Cambodia, Thailand and Vietnam. Other planned activities include the establishment of the GOT internet-based information sharing system, to be hosted by Thailand, and the conduct of a GOT joint oil spill exercise, to be supported by the Marine Department of Page 9 of 34 pages

10 Thailand, Merchant Marine Department of Cambodia and East Asia Response Ltd. (EARL). c. Collaboration with Coastal Habitats and Resource Management (CHARM). Signing of a Letter of Cooperation with CHARM. Joint collaborative activities with CHARM include the establishment of a nationwide network between local governments involved in CHARM and PEMSEA ICM projects, the conduct of a national ICM workshop and organizing a study tour to Xiamen and nearby municipalities. d. Collaboration with Thailand Environmental Institute (TEI). TEI will collaborate with PEMSEA to promote the adoption of the ICM Framework of Sustainable Development for Coastal Areas throughout the country. e. Collaboration with Chulalongkorn University. The university will support PEMSEA activities in Thailand particularly with regard to providing technical/ scientific support to coastal management and establishment of a national and regional task force of experts to support SDS-SEA implementation. f. Providing assistance to Chonburi PMO to arrange a study tour to Japan; g. Collaborating with the National Focal Point in the finalization of work program for ; h. Participating in the PEMSEA Network of Local Government (PNLG) workshop in Danang in September A.7 Vietnam 24. In Vietnam, the activities identified at the national level for the bridging and follow-on phases are intended to support the implementation of the Master Plan on Basic Survey and Management of Marine Resources and Environment until 2010 and Vision until 2020, as follows: At the local level, Moreover, the following bridging and follow on phases of PEMSEA are recommended to implement activities that would support the new developments in Vietnam and in strengthening national capacity to implement the national strategy on sustainable development: a. Formulation of a strategy and work plan for the development of Vietnam national marine policy this bridging project entails analysis of existing national marine related policies and legislation, and determination of possible policy and legislative conflicts and gaps. A consultation workshop on coastal and marine policy and management mechanisms involving policy makers and senior government officials will be conducted, where recommendations and a work program in support of a national marine policy will be reviewed and adopted. b. Streamlining the approach for a national ICM program--- this project entails the preparation of a 6-year framework program for ICM scaling up, Page 10 of 34 pages

11 including coordinating and implementing mechanisms for ICM scaling up in 14 coastal provinces in central Vietnam. A consultative/consensus building workshop will be organized to promote agreement on the 6-year plan, including roles and responsibilities of the various stakeholders. c. Initiating the second cycle of ICM program in Danang--- the implementation of the second cycle ICM in Danang will focus on strengthening local governance, implementation of strategic action programs and transforming the project-based management mechanism into a sustainable and local government-based body to oversee the sustainable development of the city. There is also a keen interest to establish an ICM Learning Center in Danang. Discussions with the various academic and research institutions were focused on their role in capacity development to increase the critical mass of national and local experts that are able to provide technical and scientific support to management. The bridging project entails transformation of PCC to a long-term coordinating mechanism, setting up an ICM training center, identifying strategies and action programs for the implementation of the Framework for Sustainable Development of Coastal Areas through ICM; and adoption of the proposed regulation on ICM zoning scheme in the tourism development zone. A.8 Timor Leste 25. Following an earlier visit by the RPO, a mission was undertaken to Timor Leste in the third week of June. Discussions with the National Focal Point focused on selection of an appropriate site for the development and implementation of an ICM demonstration project. The ICM project will be designed to enable the local community in coastal and ocean governance with special emphasis on protection of biodiversity, food security and sustainable livelihoods. B. Preparatory activities for the next phase 26. Aside from the above bridging activities, several undertakings in preparation for the next phase were likewise initiated by the RPO. These activities are meant to enhance the effective use of scientific methods and further build the capacity of the region in coastal and ocean governance: B.1 ICM Training program 27. The RPO is in the process of updating existing and developing new PEMSEA ICM training manuals, practical guides and case studies. These materials will be field-tested in preparation for the full blown roll-out in the next phase. The revised/new materials will be utilized in the conduct of training-of-trainers, training of NTF members at the regional and national levels, and training of ICM managers and implementers at the sub-national level. The refinement of existing training manuals is being done with the help of a course developer. Page 11 of 34 pages

12 B.2 Development of a postgraduate ICM curriculum 28. The RPO is in the process of developing a postgraduate ICM curriculum and educational program for a comprehensive post-graduate degree training. The program is built upon the recommendations of the capacity development workshop, which was conducted during the EAS Congress The course curriculum is being developed following extensive consultations with relevant faculties of selected universities, including University of the Philippines in Diliman, Xiamen University and National University of Singapore. PEMSEA s publication Dynamics of Integrated Coastal Management: Practical Application for Sustainable Coastal Development in the Seas of East Asia, which is now being used as a textbook in several universities in the US, Europe and Asia, is the major reference for the development of the ICM curriculum. B.3 ICM Code 29. The RPO continues to pursue the development of an ICM Code for voluntary use by national and local governments of the East Asian region as a standard for recognition/certification of ICM sites. The ICM Code will provide the core elements and requirements of an effective coastal management system. The Code takes into account the legal requirements that local governments must abide by, as well as all related significant environmental, social and economic aspects of marine and coastal governance. The ICM Code is built upon the provisions of ISO 9001 and ISO 14001, thus enabling ICM performance to be measured against international standards. The first draft of the ICM Code has been prepared and the final Code is expected to be completed by September this year. B.4 PEMSEA Task Force 30. In preparation for the next phase, PEMSEA has embarked on the development of the PEMSEA Task Force, which will be composed of both the Regional Task Force (RTF) and National Task Force (NTF), beginning January The PEMSEA Task Force aims to mobilize the available intellectual capital in the region to serve as the technical support network for the implementation of the SDS-SEA. In February 2007, PEMSEA announced the opening of applications for the Task Force and identified the various task teams to be developed. More than 150 applications have been received and screened. These applicants will form part of the database that includes the list of capacities and availability of potential Task Force members. The official start-up of the PEMSEA Task Force is scheduled for October B.5 PEMSEA Network of Local Governments (PNLG) 31. Preparations have been made for the next PNLG meeting, which is scheduled from 5 to 7 September 2007 in Danang, Vietnam. The theme of the meeting is, Addressing Coastal Security by Investing in Natural and Man-made Hazards Prevention and Management. The theme is timely and highly relevant in light of Page 12 of 34 pages

13 the region s exposure and vulnerability to a wide range of man-made and natural hazards. It is anticipated that it will attract the attention of the donor representatives, since some of the local governments will be presenting their respective programs on how they are addressing hazard and disaster reduction and management. The PEMSEA PNLG Secretariat in Xiamen has begun its preparations for the forthcoming workshop. Danang s city government is providing the necessary support and coordination with the PNLG Secretariat. B.6 RTF / NTF trainings 32. PEMSEA plans to provide trainings for its pool of Regional Task Force and National Task Force trainings as part of the PEMSEA Task Force Program. The RTF will be working in various fields. PEMSEA has identified the following areas that the task force can contribute to: project planning, development and management; coastal strategy development and implementation; environmental risk assessment; integrated information management; environmental and resource valuation; coastal use zoning; integrated environmental monitoring; waste management/pollution control; performance evaluation; coastal and ocean policy and institutional arrangements; training skills development; and communication and stakeholder mobilization. B.7 State of the Coasts Reporting 33. Another preparatory activity is the development of a State of the Coasts (SOC) reporting that includes a generic framework or template based on the Framework for Sustainable Development of the Coastal Areas through ICM. The template can be used by ICM project sites for reporting their progress in achieving set targets or criteria related to those of MDG, WSSD Plan of Implementation, Agenda 21 and the SDS-SEA. State of the Coasts reports will be prepared for Xiamen and Batangas as case studies for the development and testing of the template, for future use by all ICM sites. B.8 Areas of Excellence (AOE) work programs 34. The RPO has likewise started to develop the PEMSEA Program for Areas of Excellence (AOE). The RPO will establish partnership arrangements with internationally and regionally recognized AOEs by engaging these organizations and institutions in the implementation of the SDS-SEA. The RPO has already established a close working relationship with the Marine Environmental Research and Innovative Technology (MERIT) of Hong Kong. MERIT is a recognized national AOE of the Hong Kong for marine pollution research. The RPO has also held initial dialogue with the Asian-Pacific Environmental Law Institute (APCEL) and the Law Faculty of the National University of Singapore on their possible role in maritime law training. A small consultative workshop will be organized to develop the concept and operation of the AOEs. Page 13 of 34 pages

14 B.9 Corporate development strategy 33. Another important undertaking that the RPO has initiated is the development of a corporate development strategy and plan for the PEMSEA Resource Facility (PRF). This initiative explores the feasibility of a sustainable enterprise mechanism within the PRF framework that will continue to offer products and services to a range of clients on a cost-recovery basis. B.10 IIMS Technical Services 35. The Regional Programme has started to develop a plan on how to effectively market its IIMS Technical Services. As part of the preparation for the provision of IIMS products and services, enhancement of the software is being undertaken to support wider applications such as river basin management and coastal use zoning. The Department of Environment and Natural Resources in the Philippines has recently adopted the IIMS as the information management tool covering river basins, coastlines and coastal seas. B.11 Coastal Use Zoning Manual 36. The RPO has initiated the preparation of a Coastal Use Zoning Manual. The manual will enumerate the steps to be undertaken in preparing a Coastal Use Zoning Scheme. A review of the RPO training modules and the Coastal Use Zoning schemes of Bali, Bataan, Batangas, Danang, Sihanoukville, Port Klang, Nampho and Xiamen has been initiated at the RPO to identify possible strengths and areas for improvement that can be incorporated in the Coastal Use Zoning manual. A collaborative activity is being initiated with the State Oceanic Administration to prepare a standard guideline on the development of sea use zoning and permit system using the Chinese practical experience. The guidelines will be used as the major reference in the preparation of the Coastal Use Zoning Manual to be used for the region. B.12 East Asian Seas (EAS) Congress The RPO has started its initial preparations for the holding of next EAS Congress in 2009 in the Philippines. The DENR Secretary has already endorsed the hosting of the EAS Congress to the Office of the President. It was also agreed that the Philippines will establish a Local Organizing Committee, which will oversee the preparations and operations of the next EAS Congress scheduled for November 23-27, In the meantime, the RPO uploaded speeches, photos, PowerPoint presentations, meeting proceedings and other multimedia materials from the EAS Congress 2006 to the PEMSEA website to share the experience, knowledge and insights gained from the international conference and other events. More information regarding EAS Congress 2009 and the 3 rd Ministerial Forum can be found in PC/07/DOC/13 and will be reported under Agenda Item: Technical Session Page 14 of 34 pages

15 B.13 Port Safety, Health and Environmental Management Systems (PSHEMS) 38. The RPO is finalizing the manual and training modules related to Port, Safety, Health and Environmental Management Systems (PSHEMS). PEMSEA is currently completing the preparation of the PSHEMS Code and recognition system. The PSHEMS Code is aimed at providing port authorities or any other company operating within the port, whose activities may have an effect on the health and safety of people, environment, cargoes, and port installations, with a standard against which to measure the performance of its operations. The Code is based on key elements of recognized international standards, namely ISO 9001 (Quality Management), ISO (Environmental Management), and OHSAS (Occupational Health and Safety). B. 14 EAS Partnership Fund Arrangements 39. The RPO continues to explore various options pertaining to the setting up of an institutional arrangement for the establishment, operation and management of the EAS Partnership Fund. The need to have a legal personality has become critical for receiving contributions, revenues and operation of the Fund. Currently, PEMSEA has no legal personality and opening up an account can only be done under the UN framework. The RPO has consulted UNDP and UNOPS regarding the establishment of the account. 40. At present, the Regional Programme has $478,340 deposited in the IMO/PEMSEA trust account in Manila. By the end of the current phase, these funds need to be transferred to a new trust account, for utilization by PEMSEA as seed funds for the EAS Partnership Fund. The trust account can also serve as the depository for all other revenues arising from sales of products and services of PEMSEA, such as books, trainings, etc. 41. The RPO has conducted studies to determine a viable mechanism, examining the working models of the International Rice Research Institute, the ASEAN Biodiversity Center, and the Technological Information Promotion System (TIPS). Initial studies show that there are two main options for the establishment of the needed trust account. One option would entail UNOPS opening an account, which would be managed by UNOPS in Copenhagen, with a management fee of at least 7%. The other option would be to establish an international NGO, (e.g., PEMSEA Resource Facility, Inc.), with a Board of Directors comprised of the Executive Committee of the EAS Partnership Council. Management of the funds would remain the responsibility of the Council. These two options will be further discussed under Agenda Item of the Technical Session. C. Other activities undertaken by PEMSEA 42. The RPO continued to undertake activities relevant to the development and immediate objectives of PEMSEA. Cooperation and collaboration with partners who share common objectives with PEMSEA were explored and have produced new partnerships for the regional mechanism: Page 15 of 34 pages

16 C.1 MSP-PPP project 43. A tripartite Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) was signed between PEMSEA, the Municipality of Puerto Galera and Louis Berger-SCOTIA on 23 April 2007 to facilitate a public-private partnership (PPP) for a wastewater treatment facility in Puerto Galera. An Environmental Users Fee (EUF) System has been approved by the municipal Sangguniang Bayan (SB) of Puerto Galera with the recent adoption of an ordinance covering local government financing of environmental undertakings. The EUF System imposes fees on tourists upon entry to Puerto Galera for the enjoyment of the municipality s environment and natural resources. The funds generated from the EUF collection will be used to finance the construction and operation of the sewage facilities and other activities under the Coastal Resource Management (CRM) Plan, which is aimed at addressing the environmental problems, as well as improving the lives of the people of Puerto Galera. C.2 Technical Cooperation and Collaboration 44. Since January 2007, The RPO has entered into several partnership agreements on behalf of PEMSEA with various organizations. This has continued PEMSEA s efforts to develop partnership ventures with other international organizations, national and local governments and the private sector to undertake collaborative activities that would enhance the PEMSEA s portfolio and catalyze more interests in the sustainable development of the East Asian seas. A detailed description of collaboration and cooperation with partners can be found in PC/07/DOC/12 and will be reported under Agenda Item 3.3 Technical Cooperation and Collaboration. The following is a summary table on these partnerships: Table: Technical Cooperation and Collaboration (January to June 2007) Partner(s) Areas of Cooperation and Collaboration Swedish Environmental Secretariat for Asia (SENSA) Louis-Berger Group Incorporated and Sustainable Coastal Tourism in Asia Philippines (SCOTIA) Xiamen City Government, the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and the State Oceanic Administration (SOA). MOU for mutual collaboration on the activities of: participating in the Xiamen World Ocean Week to be held in November each year; facilitating the development of a sister city relationship between Stockholm and Xiamen; participating in the 2007 PNLG Forum in Danang, Vietnam; cooperating with Sida in the sustainable city project; serving as one of the co-convenors/sponsors for the East Asian Seas Congress MOU on Public-Private Partnership (PPP) arrangement for a wastewater treatment facility in Puerto Galera. 2 nd World Ocean Week (WOW) Page 16 of 34 pages

17 City Government of Danang, Vietnam IOC/ UNEP Coastal Habitats and Resources Management (CHARM) International Ocean Institute (IOI) WESTPAC/ IOC NACA and SEAFDEC NOWPAP PNLG Forum Assessment of Assessments of the Regular process for the global reporting and assessment of the state of the marine environment, including Socio-Economic Aspects. Promotion and facilitation of sustainable development of marine and coastal resources and governance of the large marine ecosystems of the Seas of East Asia, within the framework of the Sustainable Development Strategy for the Seas of East Asia (SDS-SEA). Cooperation for the sustainable development of marine and coastal resources and governance of the Seas of East Asia. Discussion underway on possible collaboration in the state of the coasts reporting Initial discussion on possible collaboration on achieving sustainable growth of the fisheries and aquaculture sector. Preparation of a Letter of Cooperation between PEMSEA and NOWPAP, leading to NOWPAP becoming a Partner in the EAS Partnership Council. C.3 Conference / Workshops 45. PEMSEA participated or will be participating in the following conferences or workshops: a. Ports and Environment (1 February). PEMSEA Technical Officer Ms. Diana C. Factuar attended the Conference on Ports and Environment, held in Haiphong, Vietnam, on 1 February The conference served as a venue for sharing lessons from the Indochina Ecoports Project on Environmental Management Systems (EMS). The conference concluded that EMS in relation to health and safety has been internationally recognized since the 1990s and is now gaining interest from the port and harbor sectors. The conference acknowledged that networking among donors and projects is important, as there is significant progress in EMS, particularly with regard to laws and regulations and instruments development (method and standards). The Port Safety, Health and Environmental Management System (PSHEMS) of PEMSEA was recognized as one of the instruments that fulfills the objectives of EMS implementation. b. Capacity 2015 (4-5 April). The RPD attended the 2 nd Regional Steering Committee of Capacity 2015 on 4-5 April 2007 in Hanoi, Vietnam, as a member of the Regional Steering Committee. The meeting reviewed Capacity Page 17 of 34 pages

18 2015 program activities and provided policy and management advice to the Capacity Development Advisor (CDA) and staff of the Programme. Capacity Development (CD) will be an important cross-cutting area of concern that needs to be mainstreamed into major UN development programs. There are greater opportunities as a result of the implementation of the ONE UN concept and strategies. There is a high demand for technical expertise to assist countries in identifying their capacity needs and development strategies. c. Marine Litter Prevention and Control Workshop (June 27-28). PEMSEA s nominee, Ms Corazon Davis of Philippines DENR participated in a NOWPAP Marine Litter Prevention and Control Workshop and International Coastal Cleanup on June 2007 at Rizhao, Shandong, China. Ms Davis participation was funded by NOWPAP. The workshop was organized by the State Environmental Protection Administration (SEPA) of China, Northwest Pacific Action Plan (NOWPAP) of the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), Rizhao City, and the Environmental Protection Bureau (EPB) of Shandong. Co-organizers included the Chinese Research Academy of Environmental Sciences (CRAES) and NOWPAP Data Information Network Regional Activity Center (DINRAC). d. Globalization and Maritime Policy (July 9-10). PEMSEA Regional Programme Director participated in the Seminar on Maritime Policies at Terceira, Azores, Portugal. The seminar was co-organized by the Conference on Peripheral Maritime Regions and the Autonomous Government of the Azores. At the invitation and sponsorship of the organizer, the RPD shared East Asian Seas experience related to the development and implementation of the SDS-SEA. e. Australia Coral Bleaching Workshop (July 30 to August 3). PEMSEA has nominated Ms. Nancy Bermas, Technical Officer (Research) to participate in the Responding to Mass Coral Bleaching and Climate Change: A Workshop for Coral Reef Managers slated on July 30 to August 3, 2007 at the Southern Great Barrier Reef, Australia. The workshop is being hosted by the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority (GBRMPA), the U.S. National Oceanic Administration (NOAA), and the World Bank/Global Environment Fund Coral Reef Targeted Research Project (CRTR), with additional support from the Australian Department of Environment and Water Resources. Workshop topics include developing a bleaching response plan, predicting bleaching events, assessing ecological impacts from bleaching, assessing socioeconomic impacts from bleaching, communicating about bleaching and climate change and implementing management interventions during bleaching events. Ms. Bermas participation will be partially funded by the workshop organizer. f. 4 th GEF International Waters (IW) Conference (July 31 to August 3). PEMSEA will be represented by the RPD and the Technical Coordinator at the 4 th GEF International Water Conference in Cape Town, South Africa from 31 July to 3 August The purpose of the conference is to review GEF s global International Waters portfolio and to share experience and best Page 18 of 34 pages

19 practices for international waters management. PEMSEA will put up an exhibition at the site. C.4 Communications and Publications 46. The following activities and outputs were accomplished by PEMSEA s Communications Unit since January 2007: a. Publication of and upload in the website of 12 meeting/workshop proceedings for the following events: i. Meeting of Experts to Discuss the Framework for SOC Reporting ii. Workshop on the Ecosystem-based Management of Interrelated River basins, Estuaries and Coastal Seas iii. Workshop on Local Government Financing for Water, Sewage and Sanitation - Theme 6 iv. Assessment of East Asia's Capacity Building in Ocean and Coastal Governance v. Proceedings of the Workshop on Achieving the MDGs through Enhancing Local Capacities for ICRM vi. Second Ministerial Forum vii. Inaugural Meeting of the EAS Partnership Council viii. Inaugural Meeting of the PEMSEA Network of Local Governments ix. Regional Network on Coastal and Ocean Governance x. Joint Meeting of SGP Coordinators and PMO Directors xi. Report on the Outputs and Outcomes of the EAS Youth Forum xii. ICM Dialogue b. Essential Essays in Regional Ocean Governance. The book s chapters are currently being reviewed and copyedited. The proposed book is the product of a joint project between Nippon Foundation and PEMSEA. c. Manila Bay Atlas. Copyediting of the Manila Bay Atlas has been conducted. The document will be published and disseminated in September. d. Tropical Coasts. The Tropical Coasts Vol. 13 No. 2 EAS Congress Special Issue 1 One Ocean, One Vision was published in June The second Special Issue One People, One Vision, will be published in September. e. EAS Congress Articles. Approximately 30 selected articles presented at the EAS Congress 2006 are being peer-reviewed, copy edited and will form a special publication of the Journal of Ocean and Coastal Management (OCMJ). f. PEMSEA Portfolio. PEMSEA will come out with a PEMSEA Portfolio that will provide readers with a general background and rationale pertaining to the various activities undertaken by PEMSEA, as well as the evolution and transformation of PEMSEA. Page 19 of 34 pages

20 g. Publications Catalogue. PEMSEA has released its Publications Catalogue in June featuring more than 150 publications and other multi-media materials released since its inception. h. E-Updates. PEMSEA has produced 4 issues of the E-UPDATES, a monthly electronic newsletter of PEMSEA providing information on outputs and outcomes of its projects, partnerships, training, conferences and PNLG and other stakeholder activities. i. Website. The number of visitors in the PEMSEA website has increased by 35% from 2,316,815 hits (June 2005 to May 2006) to 3,135,821 hits (June 2006 to May 2007). Moreover, the website started to utilize the IWLearn Toolkit, which is powered by Plone, a content management system (CMS) that provides industry standard functions and features implemented by the W3C and other web development standards. A new PEMSEA website, soon to be released, will allow dynamic interaction which will enable registered users to post announcements and events, discuss current issues and concerns, syndicate news and multimedia, among other features. The website is being developed with the assistance of the IWLearn Team in Nairobi. j. Youth Program. The Coastal Management Center (CMC) and PEMSEA laid the ground work for young environmentalists in the region when it coorganized the first Youth Forum for the EAS during the EAS Congress A Youth Program was created as an offshoot of the Youth Forum to ensure the continuous empowerment and involvement of young people towards environmental management. It also aims to contribute to the fulfillment of the objectives of the Communicate Strategy of the SDS-SEA by tapping the creativity and fresh perspectives of young people to bridge the communication gaps and enhance available communication channels between and among various stakeholders. k. Optimize the use of IT. PEMSEA is undertaking a comprehensive review of its in-house information technology system in order to increase its capacity and effectiveness in the application of IT. The review is being conducted with the help of IT experts from a private company. The objective is an improved quality management system for the RPO/PRF operation, and efficient, costeffective service to PEMSEA Partners and collaborators. l. PEMSEA Database. The PEMSEA Gateway database has been upgraded with new software (Goldmine ). New fields had been incorporated into the human resource (HR) database, providing information on educational attainment, PEMSEA trainings, interns/fellows, PEMSEA Task Forces, Technical Working Groups (TWG) at PEMSEA sites, etc. Encoding of trainees and TWG members has been completed. Applicants for the NTF/RTF have been uploaded as well, including education, skills, work experiences and CV s. The encoding of training participants during the PEMSEA Phase I project is being undertaken at present. The database has close to 5,000 entries, which will form the core of the region s intellectual capital, for scaling up and replicating good practices in coastal and ocean governance during the follow-on phase of PEMSEA. Page 20 of 34 pages

21 C.5 Resource Mobilization 47. As of 30 June 2007, co-financing contributions from sources other than GEF totaled US$ 24,652,411. Of this amount, co-financing from governments totaled US$_22,776,236 exceeding the target of US$3.3 million in the UNDP-GEF Project Document by 690%. The counterpart commitments by local governments provided concrete evidence of the support being given to ICM programs by local stakeholders. A breakdown of the co-financing contributions is given in Annex Contributions for EAS Congress 2006 totaled to US$1,052,937, representing a 359% increase from EAS Congress 2003 contributions, which were US$ 229,388. EASC 2003 Contributors EASC 2006 Contributors IMO (Maritime Transport 81,174 State Oceanic Administration 519,480 Workshop) Ship and Ocean 92,079 Hainan Government 259,740 Foundation (Theme B Workshops) UNEP-GPA ( Land Based 7,550 UNDP Capacity ,718 Pollution workshop) World Fish 30,000 IMO 15,000 Center(Fisheries and Aquaculture Workshop) Kualiti Alam Malaysia 2,652 Korea Maritime Institute (KMI) / 66,391 Korea Environmental Institute (KEI) Alam Sekitar Malaysia 3,183 UNEP-GPA 15,000 Malaysia Department of 12,750 Nippon Foundation 69,434 Environment (DOE) Total EASC ,388 OPRF 52,174 CMC-Youth Forum 30,000 UNESCO-IOC 15,000 Total EASC ,052,937 C6. Budget Expenditure 49. As of 31 May 2007, the RPO has committed US$ 1,834,705, or 86.29% of the total budget of US$ 2,126,113 for D. Challenges and Opportunities 50. Despite the many achievements over the last 14 years, long-term sustainability remains the greatest challenge to PEMSEA. Achieving the goals of SDS-SEA will require enduring, coordinated efforts by concerned governments and stakeholders. PEMSEA has made considerable headway as an effective coordinating mechanism for the SDS-SEA implementation, but this regional mechanism needs further strengthening of purpose and sustainability. The support from the Governments of China, Japan, RO Korea, providing cash Page 21 of 34 pages

22 contributions to the PRF Secretariat Services, as well as the support rendered by the Government of the Philippines in constructing a new building to house the PRF, and the increased involvement and in-kind and in-cash contributions from stakeholder Partners are important signals of increasing commitments. However, in fact, a large part of the financial requirements for the regional coordinating mechanism for the SDS-SEA implementation still depends on GEF sponsorship. 51. PEMSEA needs to make even greater efforts to explore options and opportunities for a self-sustaining regional mechanism, taking advantage of the new opportunities and growing importance of coastal and ocean management in the region and the world at large. Therefore, it is essential to develop a creative operating mechanism that can generate financial resources through products and services in support of SDS-SEA implementation. This will allow PEMSEA to graduate from a solely UN dependent operating mechanism to a self-sustained, stakeholders-driven regional organization with its own legal personality. The creation of PEMSEA Resource Facility, Inc. is one step towards that goal. State and Non-State Partners are urged to explore an appropriate, stakeholder-driven regional coordinating mechanism that can effectively implement the SDS-SEA. 52. Although the concept of partnership is a noble one, a great deal of effort is still needed to promote mutual trust, support and consensus amongst governments and stakeholder partners in addressing the many important environmental and sustainable development issues of the seas of East Asia. However, it must be recognized that the region has made significant achievement over the past decade, especially the various marine and ocean policy and institutional reforms that have taken place in several countries of the region. This has provided a solid foundation upon which regional coastal and ocean governance can be built. 53. Nevertheless, greater efforts are required in building intergovernmental, interagency and multi-sector partnerships. There is still a need to promote a stronger buy-in from some governments and concerned stakeholders pertaining to the objectives of PEMSEA and its mode of operation. PEMSEA s mission, as stated in the SDS-SEA, recognizes that all environmental management efforts are beneficial or potentially beneficial to environmental improvements of the region. PEMSEA s commitment is to work in partnership with concerned UN agencies, regional and national organizations, projects and programs towards achieving the common vision for the sustainable development of the seas of East Asia. Actions for Consideration by the 1 st EAS Partnership Council Meeting 54. The Meeting is invited to discuss the progress that has been made by the Regional Programme Office over the past six months with regard to: a. the steps undertaken to bring closure to the current phase of PEMSEA; b. the transformation to a regional mechanism; c. the bridging and preparatory activities undertaken in participating countries; d. the consolidation and streamlining of its program portfolio and operations; and e. other related projects, activities, opportunities and challenges. Page 22 of 34 pages

23 Annex 1. Request for Council Work Programme Inclusion and Table of Content PROJECT EXECUTIVE SUMMARY REQUEST FOR COUNCIL WORK PROGRAMME INCLUSION UNDER THE GEF TRUST FUND AGENCY S PROJECT ID: PIMS 3469 GEFSEC PROJECT ID: COUNTRY: Regional East Asia Participating Countries: Cambodia, China, Indonesia, Lao PDR, Philippines, Thailand, Timor-Leste and Vietnam, with Brunei Darussalam, Japan, RO Korea and Singapore participating on a costsharing basis PROJECT TITLE: Implementation of the Sustainable Development Strategy for the Seas of East Asia (SDS-SEA) GEF IA/EXA: UNDP OTHER EXECUTING AGENCY(IES): UNOPS DURATION: 3 years GEF FOCAL AREA: International Waters GEF STRATEGIC OBJECTIVES: IW Strategic Objective (b) catalytic role in addressing transboundary water concerns ; IW Strategic Programmes a) Depletion of coastal and marine fish stocks and associated biological diversity and b) Nutrient overenrichment and oxygen depletion from land-based pollution of coastal waters in Large Marine Ecosystems GEF OPERATIONAL PROGRAM: OP 9 PIPELINE ENTRY DATE: April 2005 ESTIMATED STARTING DATE: October 2007 EXPECTED CEO ENDORSEMENT: July 2007 IA/EXA FEE: $1,041, FINANCING PLAN PPG Project GEF Total 700,000 10,876,336 Co-financing GEF IA/ExA Government 237,900 27,594,400 International Agencies/Org Others 66,300 5,780,000 Co-financing Total 304,200 33,374,400 Total 1,004,200 44,250,736 Financing for Associated Activities: Baseline estimated at $ billion CONTRIBUTION TO KEY INDICATORS IDENTIFIED IN THE FOCAL AREA STRATEGIES: The project contributes to the key indicators of the GEF IW Strategic Objective (b), by fostering the development and implementation of required policy reforms, institutional arrangements, core partnerships and capacities in support of SDS-SEA implementation. The project also contributes to IW Strategic Programmes a) Depletion of coastal and marine fish stocks and associated biological diversity, and b) Nutrient over-enrichment and oxygen depletion from land-based pollution of coastal waters in Large Marine Ecosystems. Additional indicators to be supported include: improvements in fish stock and coastal habitat achieved; community livelihoods sustained and access to fish for Page 23 of 34 pages