July 2012: The 2012 East Asian Seas Congress took place in Changwon City, Republic of Korea, with a focus on building a “blue economy” in the region. It addressed, in particular, progress in the governance of regional/sub-regional seas within the framework of the Sustainable Development Strategy for the Seas of East Asia (SDS-SEA). The Congress included the Fourth Ministerial Forum, an Exhibition, an East Asian Seas Partnership Council Meeting, and a PEMSEA Network of Local Governments Forum.

Under the theme “Building a Blue Economy: Strategy, Opportunities, and Partnerships in the Seas of East Asia,” the Congress took place from 9-13 July 2012, and was co-organized by the Partnerships in Environmental Management for the Seas of East Asia (PEMSEA) and the Government of the Republic of Korea, and supported by the Global Environment Facility (GEF), the UN Development Programme (UNDP), and the UN Office for Project Services (UNOPS).

The Congress included sessions on a variety of topics relating to the blue economy, including: the role of the blue economy in achieving sustainable development; factors that can support the development of a blue economy; integrated coastal management (ICM) good practices and lessons learned; the role of ports in the sustainable growth and development of countries in the East Asian Seas region; innovative technologies for protecting ecosystem services and developing a blue economy; sustainable fishery management; and scientific challenges and solutions to ocean sustainability.

In addition, the Congress included the Third East Asian Seas Youth Forum, which resulted in the Changwon Youth Declaration for the Protection of the Seas of East Asia. The Declaration reiterates participants’ commitment to protecting the region’s oceans and coasts, and makes recommendations for achieving this. [Congress Website] [Day 1 Daily Bulletin (10 July)] [Day 2 Daily Bulletin (11 July)] [Day 3 Daily Bulletin (12 July)]