Building Partnerships in Environmental Management for the Seas of East Asia: A Framework for Regional CooperationPRESENTER:Chua Thia-Eng, Regional Programme Director Partnerships in Environmental Management CONFERENCE: International Waters Workshop - A CEO Dialogue Jointly Organized by GEF and WFEO/FIDIC LOCATION: Washington, DC, USA DATE:June 7-8, 2001 CONTACT: IW:LEARN4211 N. Fairfax Dr. Arlington, VA 22207 USA Tel: +703-522-2190 Fax: +703-522-2191 infoiwlearn.orgBuilding Partnerships in Environmental Management for the Seas of East Asia: A Framework for Regional CooperationChua Thia-EngThe East Asian SeasCoastline:234,000 kmSea area:7 million km2Total population:1.9 billionCoastal population:522 million213 million are poor in China; 65 million in the rest of EASUses of the EAS: food supply livelihood medicine energy minerals transport recreationPEMSEA - multi-country, multi-sector collaboration and partnershipsshared visionstrategyprogram of actionsENVIRONMENTAL STRATEGY for the Seas of East AsiaINITIAL DRAFT as of 25 May 2001. Do not cite.A Strategic Approach to Achieving Shared VisionValuesEcologicalAestheticHistorical and culturalRecreationDevelopmentThreatsHabitat conversionOver-exploitationLand-based pollution sourcesOil and chemical pollutionDestructive fishing practicesInvasive speciesSea level riseClimate changeResource use conflictsUncontrolled developmentErosion/Siltation and sedimentationTrade in endangered speciesShared VisionSustainPreserveProtectDevelopImplementCommunicateStrategiesAction Programs Action Programs Action ProgramsAction Programs Action ProgramsAction Programs Action ProgramsEnsure Sustainable use of coastal and marine resources.The East Asian countries shall:STRATEGIC ACTION STATEMENTSTRATEGIC ACTION STATEMENTPreserve species and areas of the coastal and marine environment that are pristine or are of ecological, social or cultural significance.Protect ecosystems, human health and society from risks occurring as a consequence of human activities. Develop economic activities in the coastal and marine environment that contribute to economic prosperity and social well-being while safeguarding ecological values. Implement international instruments relevant to management of the coastal and marine environment.Communicate with stakeholders to raise public awareness, strengthen multisectoral participation and obtain scientific support for the sustainable development of the coastal and marine environment.The environment of the Seas of East Asia should be managed to ensure preservation of the ecosystems and the well-being and dignity of the people of the region.The right to development must be fulfilled so as to equitably meet development and environmental needs of present and future generations. (Agenda 21, Principle 3) Management of coastal and marine resources and the activities affecting them should respect natural processes and systems.Beneficial uses of the resources shall be encouraged and adverse uses avoided or minimized.Basic linkages between sustainable management of coastal and marine resources, poverty alleviation, and protection of the marine environment should be recognized (APEC Action Plan)General PrinciplesGeneral PrinciplesENVIRONMENTAL STRATEGY FOR THE SEAS OF EAST ASIAThe rights of all sectors of society shall be respected and the role of civil society recognized.The precautionary approach shall be widely applied. Where there are threats of serious irreversible damage, lack of full scientific certainty should not be used as a reason for postponing cost-effective measures to prevent environmental degradation. (Principle 15, Agenda 21) Activities within one State should not cause damage by pollution to other States and their environment. (UNCLOS, Art. 194(2) The interrelationship between conservation and socioeconomic development implies both that conservation is necessary to ensure sustainability of development, and that socioeconomic development is necessary for the achievement of conservation on a lasting basis. (ASEAN Agreement on the Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources, 1985)General PrinciplesGeneral PrinciplesENVIRONMENTAL STRATEGY FOR THE SEAS OF EAST ASIASupporting Implementation1.Enabling local governments to effectively manage coastal and marine environment and their natural resources;2.Promoting cross boundary, multi-sector, multi- agency cooperation in managing subregional sea areas and marine pollution hotspots;3.Developing management related methodologies, techniques, working models, and standards to strengthen practical efforts in the field;4.Providing policy support and scientific advise to the decision-makers;Supporting Implementation5. Identifying and demonstrating the synergies andlinkages between related internationalenvironmental instruments and facilitating their integrated implementation;6. Creating environmental investment opportun