The East Asian Seas Congress 2009 (the third so far) was held on 23-27 November 2009 in Manila, the Philippines. NOWPAP booth was set up to display posters and promotional items showcasing NOWPAP activities. NOWPAP also was presented, along with several other PEMSEA partners, at the “Centerpiece Exhibit” of the Congress with the theme dedicated to dealing with marine litter.
NOWPAP RCU staff members chaired a workshop on transboundary pollution reduction in river areas and coastal areas; made presentation at a workshop related to addressing transboundary issues through regional cooperation; and also attended several workshops related to climate change in the East Asia (including applications of Integrated Coastal Management), ecosystem-based management, land- and sea-use zoning and some other regional initiatives, such as Sato Umi in Japan, Yellow Sea LME and Mangroves for the Future (MFF) projects. Three NOWPAP Regional Activity Centers (CEARAC, MERRAC and POMRAC) were also present at the Congress (through having a booth, co-chairing a WS, and making presentations).
The next EAS Congress will be held in 2012, along with the World Expo in Yeosu (Korea).
Implementation of NOWPAP contributes to the Global Programme of Action for the Protection of the Marine Environment from Land-based Activities (GPA) in the Northwest Pacific region.