03 Nov 2010 Story Oceans & seas

NOWPAP is strengthening relationships with partners

At a joint workshop on capacity building for the UN Regular Process for global reporting and assessment of the state of the marine environment, organized by the Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission (IOC) and the Korea Ocean Research and Development Institute (KORDI) on 21-22 October 2010 in Ansan, Republic of Korea, NOWPAP representative contributed a presentation introducing NOWPAP activities relevant to the Assessment of Assessments (AoA) and Regular Process.  NOWPAP experience shared at the workshop, together with other partners such as COBSEA, PEMSEA, PICES, WESTPAC and YSLME, constitutes regional efforts towards the Regular Process.  According to the NOWPAP workplan for 2010-2011, NOWPAP Regional Activity Centers are implementing several thematic assessments which might serve as a basis for the second ^State of Marine Environment Report ̄ for the NOWPAP region, contributing to the Regular Process as well.   NOWPAP participated also in the 7th Executive Committee Meeting of PEMSEA held on 26-27 October 2010 in Manila, the Philippines.  This expanded Executive Committee Meeting allowed PEMSEA partners to discuss the future of PEMSEA as it is becoming an independent international organization (evolving from a GEF-financed regional project).  As one of the non-country partners, NOWPAP has been supportive in PEMSEA activities since the Letter of Cooperation (LOC) was signed three years ago.  With the renewal of the LOC in 2010, both sides are committed to further develop the partnership towards implementation of the NW Pacific Action Plan and the PEMSEA Sustainable Development Strategy for the Seas of East Asia.