The journey began with the meeting of COBSEA's Working Group on Marine and Coastal Ecosystems on 21-22 October, where representatives from Cambodia, China, Indonesia, the Republic of Korea, Malaysia, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, and Vietnam addressed pressing challenges facing the region's marine heritage. The East Asian region's critical marine biodiversity contains 27% of the world's coral reefs and over 1% of globally mapped mangroves.

"Since marine life moves freely across borders, countries must work together to share information and manage resources effectively," emphasized Anders Poulsen, Senior Project Manager of the SCSSAP Project.

The meeting facilitated the sharing of national updates and progress, aiming to advance collaborative solutions outlined in the Marine and Coastal Ecosystems (MCE) Framework adopted by COBSEA in 2023. A central theme was the importance of adopting an integrated approach to coastal management, recognizing the interconnectedness of marine habitats.  

The UN Environment Programme (UNEP) played an active role, reaffirming its commitment to supporting member states in their environmental endeavors, during the three-day 26th Intergovernmental Meeting (IGM) of the COBSEA on 23-25 October. "The achievements of this meeting signal strong regional cooperation to protect the East Asian Seas," said Elizabeth Mrema, UN Assistant Secretary-General and UNEP’s Deputy Executive Director. "The East Asian Seas connect nine countries, making collaborative management essential. No single nation can effectively protect these waters alone - actions taken at the national level impact all neighboring countries. That's why the decisions made here, including the establishment of regional centers for marine litter and nutrients management, represent such significant progress. COBSEA exemplifies how regional cooperation can effectively address our shared marine environmental challenges."

The GEF/UNEP/UNOPS SCSSAP Project, a key player in this regional effort, found itself at the heart of the discussions. "As a UNEP-implemented project," explained Isabelle Vanderbeck, UNEP GEF International Waters Task Manager, "we can do many things, but if it's not owned by the countries, then we've failed."

Mahesh Pradhan, COBSEA Coordinator, emphasized the potential for long-term synergy, stating, "While challenges exist, there's significant opportunity in how project outputs and working groups can merge with COBSEA working groups to create overall impact."   

A field trip to Tonle Sap Lake provided a stark reminder of the delicate balance between humans and nature. The lake, a lifeline for millions, faces mounting pressures from overfishing, pollution, and climate change. Tonle Sap Lake, a vital fish nursery facing threats from overfishing and pollution, served as a reminder of the urgent need for collaborative action. The visit, organised by the Cambodia Ministry of Environment, showcased the Kampong Pluk Floating Village Waste Management Project, which tackles plastic pollution and promotes responsible waste disposal, illustrating the importance of active community participation and ownership to effective conservation efforts.

The week culminated in a strategic retreat for the SCSSAP and COBSEA teams on 26-27 October, focused on team building to strengthen cross-border collaboration for marine conservation.   

"The retreat was excellent in bringing together the project and COBSEA teams...this retreat was a real opportunity to start developing a concrete work plan towards the sustainability of the SCSSAP Project’s work beyond its lifetime," said Vanderbeck. "The power of face-to-face interaction should never be underestimated."   

Poulsen added, "These retreat events are important because people can feel isolated working in their own countries or offices. People go back home with a sense of connection that helps their motivation and communication."   

Watch the SCSSAP Project Retreat reflection video
 

The collaborative spirit, shared commitment, and tangible progress made during the week ignited hope for the future of the South China Sea and Gulf of Thailand and the wider East Asian Seas.

About the South China Sea Strategic Action Programme (SCSSAP) Project

The SCSSAP Project, funded by the GEF and implemented by UNEP with support from UNOPS, helps countries protect the coastal and marine environment of the South China Sea. Working with Cambodia, Indonesia, the Philippines, PR China, Thailand, and Vietnam, the project strengthens regional coordination and supports national actions to achieve the goals of the Strategic Action Programme (SAP).

For more information, contact the Senior Project Manager, Anders Poulsen (andersp@unops.org), and visit the project website (www.scssap.org).