Events

Land-based marine pollution, including the impacts of nutrient waste, sediments, and wastewater, is a considerable threat to the East Asian Seas. It contributes to the degradation of marine and coastal ecosystems by blocking the light and oxygen needed to reach plants and life underwater. In recognition of the increasing urgency of the situation, Nutrients, Sediments and Wastewater is highlighted as a priority area in COBSEA’s Strategic Directions 2023-2027.

The Marine Mammal Twinning, part of the EU-funded Ocean Governance Project, is pleased to host a webinar in collaboration with The Coordinating Body on the Seas of East Asia (COBSEA), and the North-East Asian Marine Protected Areas Network (NEAMPAN) – North-East Asian Sub-Regional Programme for Environmental Cooperation (NEASPEC).

Pre-INC 2 Asia online forum on benefits of the plastic pollution treaty - potential provisions on high-risk plastic product categories, circularity, and financing mechanisms

This informal event provides a space for exchange and dialogue on relevant issues for countries and experts, ahead of INC-2.

WWF, together with COBSEA and PEMSEA, is pleased to organize an online forum in preparation for the second Intergovernmental Negotiating Committee (INC-2) for the plastic treaty on May 10, 2023 (Wednesday 2pm-4pm GMT+08). 

Land-based marine pollution, including nutrient waste, sediments, and wastewater, is one of the most significant threats affecting the East Asian Seas (EAS). Agriculture, aquaculture, domestic and industrial waste contribute to the marine pollution problem in the region. Marine pollution not only alters the integrity of the environment but also has detrimental effects on human health. While all EAS countries implement governing policies to reduce pollution, there remain gaps to effectively address the issue, including monitoring, awareness and capacity, and enforcement.

Based on the earlier Desk Study on Nutrient Pollution, the COBSEA Secretariat has drafted a strategy and action plan on reducing nutrient pollution for the seas of East Asia, based on a quantitative analysis of modeled nutrient sources and impacts. This draft will be presented for guidance by COBSEA participating countries through an interactive webinar on 27 September 2022.  This draft plan is tentatively entitled “Reducing Nutrient Excess in Watersheds and Seas of East Asia” or Plan RENEWSEAS.

The second informal consultation continues to develop the framework for COBSEA’s work on marine and coastal ecosystems in the East Asian Seas. Participating countries are invited to present their feedback on the draft framework, share their national priorities, and provide extensive recommendations that should be included in the framework at the regional and national levels.

The first informal consultation for COBSEA Marine and Coastal Ecosystems aims to identify and discuss actions and activities for the conservation and governance of the marine environment of the East Asian Seas. COBSEA has a rich history of working in coral reefs and marine and coastal spatial planning; this upcoming consultation builds on the momentum of these previous efforts towards fostering a holistic and inclusive strategy for COBSEA work in the marine and coastal ecosystems.

Side Event: Collective Effort in South-East Asia to End Plastic Pollution

UN OCEAN CONFERENCE 2022, LISBON, PORTUGAL

Event Date: 29 June 2022 at 8:00-10:00am (GMT +1) / 2:00-4:00pm (GMT +7)

Event Location: Virtual

Organized by: SEA circular project, United Nations Environment Programme

COBSEA Secretariat, in collaboration with Plastic Fischer and Ocean Conservancy, will host a side event for the UN-DESA organized 7th Multi-Stakeholder Forum on Science, Technology, and Innovation for the Sustainable Development Goals. All side events will be related to the forum’s theme, Science, Technology and Innovation for building back better from the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) while advancing the full implementation of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.

COBSEA Secretariat and CSIRO will organize consultations to identify country needs, existing frameworks and existing project outputs where available.