Atienza cites importance of East Asian Seas meet

MANILA, Philippines - Environment and Natural Resources Secretary Lito Atienza underscored yesterday the importance of the East Asian Seas (EAS) Congress which the Philippines will be hosting on Nov. 23-27, 2009 at the Philippine International Convention Center in Manila.

“I cannot overemphasize the importance of the East Asian Seas Congress to the Philippines and the rest of the East Asian region. For one, it will serve as an intellectual marketplace for both government and non-government stakeholders on how to effectively and efficiently manage the seas and bodies of water within our territories in the best interest of our coastal population, our economy and our environment,” Atienza said during the executive committee meeting of the Partnerships in Environmental Management for the Seas of East Asia (PEMSEA) held at the Crowne Plaza in Mandaluyong City.

Atienza, who chairs the national organizing committee of EAS Congress 2009, updated the participants comprising of representatives of PEMSEA member countries on the government preparations for the Congress, which he said, is “progressing very well.”

According to him, renowned speakers from different parts of the world have already confirmed to participate, including former President Fidel V. Ramos.

Carrying the theme, “Partnerships at Work: Local Implementation and Good Practices,” the EAS Congress is being organized by the DENR and PEMSEA, with support from the Global Environment Facility, United Nations Development Program, United Nations Office for Project Services and the Coastal Management Center.

Atienza said a key feature of the international conference is the Third Ministerial Forum of the East Asian Congress on Nov. 26, 2009 to be attended by environment ministers of PEMSEA member countries which include Cambodia, China, DPR Korea, Indonesia, Japan, Lao PDR, RO Korea, Singapore, Thailand, Timor-Leste, Vietnam and the Philippines.

According to Atienza, a Ministerial Declaration on Adaptation to Climate Change through integrated coastal management is expected to be signed during the forum.

According to the DENR chief, the Philippines had already undertaken a number of actions, including innovative policies to improve the management of the country’s coastal and marine resources.