12/02/2009 -

The Philippine Environmental Governance Project (EcoGov) was among prominent participants in the Third East Asian Seas Congress and Ministerial Forum, convened 23-27 November 2009 in Manila, Philippines. The Congress is a triennial event organized by “Partnerships in Environmental Management for the Seas of East Asia” (PEMSEA), an intergovernmental coordinating regional mechanism funded by the Global Environment Facility (GEF) and implemented by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP). The event was attended by over 1,600 participants, hosted by the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR), Philippines and featured a number of keynote addresses, seminars, work-shops, poster sessions, exhibitions, field trips and social/networking events — all designed to ramp up implementation of the Sustainable Development Strategy for the Seas of East Asia (SDS-SEA) — a regional action plan endorsed by 11 member countries.

EcoGov was among many exhibitors at “SEAnergies” — held on the main floor of the Philippine International Conven-tion Center (PICC) — interacting with visitors and promoting knowledge products supporting the ridge-to-reef approach for integrated ecosystem manage-ment. On 24 November 2009, EcoGov senior technical specialists presented papers in two thematic workshops. Dr Perry Aliño provided insights on the EcoGov model for MPA networks, and Ms. Stella Salas shared information on the EcoGov experience with ring fencing of accounts in solid waste management.

During the Special Meeting of the EAS Partnership Council, held on the evening of 25 November 2009, EcoGov was among several organi-zations that formalized partnership arrangements with the PEMSEA governing body. USAID through the Office for Energy and Environment (OEE) was represented with observer status at this special council meeting. The Memoran-dum of Understanding between EcoGov and PEMSEA focuses on the convergence of interests in integrated management of coastal areas, river basins and estuaries. While the SDS-SEA provides an overarching management framework for the countries of the EAS region, the EcoGov ridge-to-reef framework provides a national level management framework that brings good environmental governance practices down to the local levels in the Philippines. More specifically, the areas for cooperation, such as State of Coasts reporting, information sharing, joint training and developing sustainable financing mechanisms, are in alignment with the strategies of both PEMSEA and EcoGov. These strategies focus on the establishment of learning systems, scaling up of best practices, mainstreaming and institutionalization of knowledge towards sustainability.

PEMSEA Chief Technical Officer, Mr S. Adrian Ross, following the signing ceremony, commented that EcoGov plays a pivotal role in the implementation of Executive Order (EO) 533. The EO affirms ICM as a national strategy and policy framework for the Philippines and engages the DENR and its various bureaus, line agencies, regional and provincial offices. Mr Ross further stated that EcoGov and PEMSEA had recently collaborated in providing advice to local governments on the development of “bankable” environmental projects.

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