The East Asian Seas (EAS) Congress 2009 convened from 23-27 November in Manila, Philippines.

The event, hosted by the Philippines Government and organized by Partnerships in the Environmental Management for the Seas of East Asia (PEMSEA), a regional programme supported by the Global Environment Facility (GEF), the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and the United Nations Office for Project Services (UNOPS), provided a region-wide platform for dialogue, knowledge exchange, capacity building, strategic action and cooperation for the sustainable management and development of the East Asian seas. Over 1,400 participants attended the Congress, representing governments, UN agencies, industry, academia and youth.
The Congress featured several events: The International Conference on Sustainable Coastal and Ocean Development (23-26 November), the Meeting of the EAS Partnership Council (25 November) and the Ministerial Forum on Strengthening the Implementation of the Sustainable Development Strategy for Seas of East Asia (SDS-SEA) (26 November). Twenty-eight thematic workshops and seminars, as well as a Youth Leaders Forum, Corporate Social Responsibility Forum and Legislators’ Dialogue were held during the International Conference, examining issues ranging from ocean policy and legislation to the impacts of climate change on coastal and ocean areas.
The Congress concluded with the signing of the Agreement Recognizing the Legal Personality of PEMSEA by eight East Asian nations, which transforms PEMSEA into a fully-fledged international body to work for sustainable development of the region’s coastal and marine areas. Eleven Ministers and high-level delegates also signed the Manila Declaration on Strengthening the Implementation of Integrated Coastal Management (ICM) for Sustainable Development and Climate Change Adaptation in the Seas of the East Asia Region. On the final day of the event, delegates participated in field visits to ICM sites showcasing local government efforts in implementing ICM.
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