Proceedings of the Fifteenth Executive Committee Meeting

8/10/2019 Proceedings of the Fifteenth Executive Committee Meeting

1/14

Manila, Philippines

18 19 November 2014

PEMSEA EC Meeting Report 15

PRO EEDINGS OF THEFIFTEENTH EXE UTIVE OMMITTEE

MEETING

Partnerships in Environmental Managementfor the Seas of East Asia


2/14

Fifteenth Executive Committee MeetingPEMSEA EC Meeting Report 15

1

15 th Executive Committee Meeting

Manila, Philippines18-19 November 2014

MEETING SUMMARY AND RECOMMENDATIONS

Agenda Item Discussion Recommendation/Action

Agenda Item 1.0:Adoption of theAgenda(EC/14/DOC/01)

The Council Chair opened the meeting bywelcoming the members of the ExecutiveCommittee.

The PRF ED also welcomed the EC

members, as well as a representative of theMinistry of Oceans and Fisheries, ROKorea, and consultants who are working onthe rebranding of PEMSEA.

The PRF ED briefed the meeting on the keyitems for discussion and proposed changesin the sequence of the meeting agenda toaccommodate the availability of theconsultants.

With regard to Agenda Item 4.0, namely the

Proposal from the Ministry of Oceans andFisheries (MOF), RO Korea, to sign a newCost-Sharing Agreement (CSA) withPEMSEA and second an officer from MOFto PEMSEA Resource Facility (PRF), theCouncil Chair emphasized the need toclarify the purpose and focus of the agendaand to ensure that it is within the scope ofthe terms of reference (TOR) and mandateof the Executive Committee (EC).

It was noted that Section 3.2.f of the EC

Rules of Procedure allows the EC to makedecisions on behalf of the PartnershipCouncil on matters relating to theoperations of the PEMSEA ResourceFacility. In this regard, the EC emphasizedthat Agenda 4.0 will focus on the aspect ofthe proposal that is relevant to the self-sustainability of PEMSEA and the principlesof the CSA, while specific issues andmanagement details pertaining to

The provisional agendawas adopted with minormodifications in thesequence of agenda items.

Regarding Agenda Item

4.0, the EC meetingdecided to focus thediscussion on theimplications of theproposal from MOF, ROKorea, on the CSA forvoluntary contribution andsustainability of the PRFCore Group, while thesecondment of an officer isa matter between MOFand the PRF ED.


3/14


2


secondment of an officer will be theresponsibility of the PRF Executive Director(ED) and the MOF.

Agenda Item 2.0:Summary of MajorRecommendationsfrom the 14 th ExecutiveCommittee Meetingand Decisions ofthe 6 th EASPartnershipCouncil Meeting(EC/14/DOC/02)

The EC noted the actions taken, inparticular:

Headquarters Agreemento The Council Co-Chair updated the EC

on the result of his discussion withSen. Miriam Defensor-Santiago, Chairof the Philippine Senate Committee onForeign Relations, and confirmed thatthe Senate review of the HQA hasbeen re-scheduled to January 2015.

o The meeting was also informed thatwith assistance from the PRF, Usec.

Analiza Teh, IntergovernmentalSession Chair, has issued a letter tothe Senate to follow up on theschedule.

o The EC noted with appreciation theefforts undertaken to pursue the HQAand its ratification by the PhilippineSenate.

o In light of the pending ratification of theHQA, the EC was advised of theimplications on the immunities andprivileges particularly of theinternational PRF officers. To addressthe issue, the PRF has alreadyrequested the UNDP to issue visaextension to PRFs internationalofficers.

o Issue related to taxation was notdeemed a concern as PEMSEA hasalready been recognized by thePhilippine Bureau of Internal Revenue(BIR).

GEF/UNDP Projecto The EC expressed appreciation to

UNDP and commended the PRF forfacilitating the signing of the ProjectCooperation Agreement (PCA), whichis a major milestone that allows thePRF to assume the role of Executing

Agency, including full responsibility fornegotiating and signing agreementsand contracts with partners, donors,

Headquarters Agreement

With the support from theIntergovernmental SessionChair and Council Co-Chair, the PRF willcoordinate closely with theDepartment ofEnvironment and NaturalResources (DENR)regarding the HQAratification and report backthe progress to the nextEC meeting.

The PRF will coordinatewith UNDP regarding theissuance of visaextensions for the twointernational officers ofPEMSEA.


4/14


3


project staff and contractors.o It was noted that six percent of

administrative fee has been allocatedin the project budget of GEF/UNDPProject on Scaling up SDS-SEAImplementation to cover direct andindirect costs associated with being anExecuting Agency.

o The EC was informed that the projectinception phase is for six monthsbeginning September 2014, and thatcorresponding work plan and budgetfor 2014 has been developed andsubmitted to UNDP.

o With regard to the preparation of workplan and budget and in line with the 6 th PC decision, the PRF will develop atwo-year work program for presentationin the 7 th EAS PC Meeting in June2015.

Lifeweb Project Proposalo The EC expressed appreciation to

MOF, RO Korea for sponsoring thePEMSEA-ACB-CBD Lifeweb PartnersRoundtable held in Pyeongchang, ROKorea in October 2014.

o The EC noted the successful conductof the Roundtable and that the PRF willcontinue to coordinate with the ASEANCenter for Biodiversity (ACB) andConvention on Biological Diversity(CBD) Secretariat on the follow onsteps needed to finance the project.

World Bank/PEMSEA KnowledgeManagement Project

o The EC was informed of the ongoingproject activities, the World Bankproject review, and the interactions withinvestment projects in Vietnam,Indonesia, Philippines and Chinarelated to the development of aregional Knowledge Managementplatform.

Lifeweb Project Proposal

The PRF will follow up with ACB and CBD Secretariaton further actions neededto facilitate the countryendorsements andimplementation of theLifeweb Project on

Achieving Aichi Targetsthrough ICM


5/14


4


4 th APEC Ocean-Related MinisterialMeeting Xiamen Declaration

o The PRF ED informed the meeting ofPEMSEAs participation in the 4 th

APEC Ocean-Related MinisterialMeeting, in Xiamen, China, in August2014. The PEMSEA delegation wasled by the Chair Emeritus, Dr. ChuaThia-Eng.

o The Technical Session Co-Chairemphasized the recognition given toICM implementation in the XiamenDeclaration, as adopted duringMinisterial Meeting.

o In line with this, the meeting wasadvised of the opportunity for PEMSEAand its Country Partners, who are alsomembers of APEC, to avail of fundingfor projects that are relevant to theimplementation of the XiamenDeclaration. Japan, in particular, hasalready secured funding of USD120,000 for the 2014 tranche under theinitiative on Blue Economy.

4 th APEC Ocean-RelatedMinisterial Meeting

Xiamen Declaration

The PRF was requestedto:

o Collaborate with theJapanese Governmentin developing a projectproposal forsubmission to APECSecretariat; and

o Notify the CountryPartners of thecollaborativeopportunities in theXiamen Declarationwhere PEMSEA hasexpertise, and provideideas of possibleproject proposals forconsideration underthe APEC funding,and submit the projectproposal to APEC in2015.

Agenda Item 3.0:EAS Congress andMinisterial Forum2015(EC/14/DOC/03)

The EC noted with appreciation theconfirmation of Danang City as host of theEAS Congress and MF 2015.

International Conferenceo In developing and finalizing the

International Conference programme, itis important to ensure a good flow ofsession discussions and avoidoverlaps. Scheduling of events shouldalso be planned carefully.

o It was highlighted that lesser number ofparallel workshops will help promotebetter participation and focus.

o There is a need to highlight climatechange as it is a crucial issue globally,particularly in light of the next UNFCCCCOP scheduled for November 30,2015 in Paris.

o For Session 3, it was suggested to lookinto the possibility of getting the Chairof Singapores Center for LiveableCities as possible speaker, apart frominviting the Center to also serve as

International ConferenceFramework Programme:


o Carefully review theFrameworkProgramme andensure a good flowand linkage of the

internationalconference sessionsand workshops;

o Modify Session 2 toinclude and highlightclimate change as acrucial issue and, withthe assistance of theCouncil Vice Chair,seek a plenary


6/14


5


workshop convener.o In identifying speakers and panellists, it

is integral to include experts/eminentpersons from Vietnam.

Youth Forumo Apart from the triennial YF, the value of

having continuity and activitiesengaging the youth within PEMSEAwas underscored

o In securing sponsors for the YF, it maybe beneficial to link the initiative ofsecuring business partners with theCongress events such as the YF.

o It was suggested to look also into otherorganizations efforts related to youthto get more ideas on how to strengthenengagement of youth (i.e., WBCSDfuture leaders team)

o The proposal to bring in inspirationfrom a successful youth politician,entrepreneur, scientist,environmentalist and successful formerYF delegates was well-received.

Ministerial Forumo It is crucial that more efforts be put into

the organization and promotion of theMF and to make it as a must-go eventfor Ministers and senior officials of theregion.

o The proposed meeting betweenMinisters and CEOs is an importantand promising undertaking. It isimportant to exert more efforts toentice the CEOs to come andappreciate the value of this event.

keynote speaker thatis well-known in thefield of climate changeand sustainabledevelopment

o Ensure that experts oreminent persons fromVietnam are involvedin the plenary paneldiscussions as well asin various workshops.

The Executive Committeemembers wereencouraged to providesuggestions on possibleplenary keynote speakers

Youth Forum:


o Explore the possibilityof linking the initiativeof engaging thebusiness sector insupporting events ofthe EAS Congress(i.e., YF); and

o Review the YouthForum to facilitatecontinuity and regularyouth engagementwithin PEMSEA apartfrom the triennial YF.

Ministerial Forum:

The PRF was requested totake additional efforts toensure the success of theMinisterial Meeting withCEOs and its link with thelaunching of the PEMSEABusiness Network.


7/14


6


o The initiative related to theestablishment of a PEMSEA BusinessNetwork (PBN) and identification ofpossible founding members can belinked with the MF event by providingthe PBN founding members theopportunity to interact with theMinisters.

Agenda Item 4.0:Proposal from theMinistry of Oceansand Fisheries ofRO Korea(EC/14/DOC/04)

The proposal was introduced by the PRFED, and Ms. Joon Young Chang asrepresentative of MOF, RO Korea.

The EC reiterated their appreciation toChina, Japan and RO Korea for theircontinuing support to PEMSEA over theyears particularly under the CSA.

Ms. Chang explained that the MOF isrequesting that current CSA betweenUNDP and RO Korea be changed into aCSA between PEMSEA and RO Korea withthe provision that part of the support will beallocated to a Korean seconded officer. Ms.Chang further informed members of themonitoring mechanism within theGovernment of RO Korea. She alsosuggested the need for further clarificationof the position of a seconded officer.

The EC emphasized that the existing CSAsbetween China, Japan and RO Korea andUNDP are providing voluntary contributionsfrom the countries to support the PRFSecretariat operations in general. Theexisting CSAs do not include considerationsfor seconding officers from the contributingcountries.

The EC underscored the need to maintainthe principles of the current CSAs withUNDP and ensure that these principles areapplied equally to the contributingcountries.

The EC expressed thedesire to maintainconsistency in theobjectives and principles ofthe cost-sharingagreements that weresigned with China, Japanand RO Korea in 2007. Asa consequence, the ROKorean delegation wasrequested to consider thepossibility of signing twoagreements with the PRF.One agreement would be acost-sharing agreementthat is consistent with theobjectives and principles ofthe original cost-sharingagreement that was signedwith UNDP in 2007. Theother would be anagreement between theMOF and the PRF EDconcerning thesecondment of a Koreanofficer to PEMSEA.


8/14


7


Agenda Item 5.0:PRF ExecutiveDirectors Post(EC/14/DOC/05)

The EC held a closed-door discussion onthe agenda item.

The Executive Committeeagreed on the appointmentof Mr. Adrian Ross as theExecutive Director for aregular term of three (3)years. The issue ofwhether this regular termof three (3) years includeshis appointment for oneyear in 2014, will befinalized after discussionsand agreement betweenthe Partnership CouncilChair and the Ministry ofOceans and Fisheries, ROKorea, by December 31,2014.

Agenda Item 6.0:PEMSEAs BrandGuidance Report(EC/14/DOC/06)

The consultants, Ms. Peachy Pacquing andMr. Cris Mora, presented the PEMSEABrand Identity Book.

It was emphasized that the brandguidebook is an internal document thatwould serve as a reference materialcodifying the key principles of PEMSEA.This will also help ensure that all materialsand campaigns to be developed orlaunched by the organization would beconsistent with PEMSEAs key principles.

The EC concurred that the proposed Visionand Value Proposition are on the righttrack, however, the Mission requires furthermodification in order to reflect theuniqueness and compelling value ofPEMSEA, including:

o Collective partnership;o Local mobilization and ownership;o Getting things done on-the-ground;

ando Networking.

The EC emphasized the need to review thevarious elements of the guidebook and toprioritize the substance capturing the keyessence of PEMSEA, and capitalize on thesuccessful story of PEMSEA that ismarketable. In general, it was felt that the


o Focus on brandingstatements forpromotion of PEMSEAServices and thePEMSEA BusinessNetwork to targetedcustomers,companies, investorsand foundations;

o Review the elementsof the PEMSEA brandguidebook and ensurethat the uniquenessand compelling valueof PEMSEA arehighlighted. Inparticular, reprofile themission statement toreflect partnership,local ownership,

leadership,networking, andactions on the groundwhich characterizedPEMSEA over thepast two decades andwill continue to deliverin the years ahead;


9/14


8


PEMSEA branding needs to be more edgyand dynamic.

The EC further underscored the need toensure that the guidebook will be easy tounderstand.

The EC recognized the rationale behind theelements and rendition of the new PEMSEAlogo, and the need to update the old logo,giving it a look that will appeal to variousaudiences.

o Test the proposedelements of the brandguidebook (i.e., Vision,Mission, Valueproposition and logo)to a wider audience togenerate moresuggestions andfurther strengthen theguide book; and

o Refine and condensethe brand statementsinto one or two pagesfor submission andreview at the 16 th ECmeeting in March2015.

Agenda Item 7.0:Implementation ofthe Strategy andImplementationPlan for Achievinga Self-SustainedPEMSEA(EC/14/DOC/07)

The consultant, Mr. Ryan Whisnant,presented the meeting document.

PEMSEA Business Network (PBN)o The EC was informed that initial

discussion and presentation of thePBN has been undertaken with SanMiguel and Petron companies based inthe Philippines, which resulted topositive feedback.

o Both companies also have theirrespective foundations which havebeen involved in some of PEMSEAsICM initiatives.

o The EC emphasized that the call forvoluntary contributions from PEMSEACountry Partners to support PEMSEAsself-sustainability will always remain.However, various options should beexplored since current voluntarycontributions will not suffice to sustainPEMSEAs operations.

o The PBN initiative is seen to haverelatively low risk with an annualinvestment of USD 26,000.

o The PBN is considered as a valuablemeans not only to engage the businesssector in PEMSEA initiatives, but willalso be beneficial to strengthening thecapacities of the business sector in theregion in working together withgovernments and communities towardsa blue economy and addressing


o Strengthen PEMSEAsunique valueproposition byunderscoring thebenefits brought aboutto youth, internationalcompanies, localcommunities and otherstakeholder groups;

o Include policy advicein the list of PEMSEAServices;

o Emphasize the role ofPEMSEA PartnerCountries to identifyand engagecompanies asmembers of thePEMSEA BusinessNetwork (PBN); and

o Proceed with testing

the business plans forthe PBN and PEMSEAServices and reportresults to the 16th ECMeeting.


10/14


9


emerging concerns and impactsbrought about by environmental issuesas well as climate change, thus goingbeyond typical Corporate SocialResponsibility (CSR) approaches.

o The EC emphasized that the PBNneed not be a standalone initiative butshould be linked to various initiatives ofPEMSEA.

PEMSEA Serviceso Apart from the services outlined in the

document, the strength of PEMSEA inproviding policy advice on coastal andocean governance and managementshould also be highlighted.

Agenda Item 8.0:Updating theSDS-SEA(EC/14/DOC/08)

The PRF Programme Specialist introducedthe agenda and updated the EC on theestablishment and preliminary workundertaken by the Technical WorkingGroup (TWG) on updating the SDS-SEAand setting of post-2015 targets.

The consultants, Atty. Pauline Caspellanand Ms. Jemima Mendoza, presented theworking documents.

Proposed updates for the SDS-SEAo The EC emphasized that in order to

facilitate ease of explanation andpresentation of the SDS-SEA and itsupdates particularly to Ministers andsenior government officials, it would begood to come up with short explanatorydocument which will include abackgrounder, key revisions andrationale.

o At the same time, a short informationmaterial on the updated SDS-SEA willalso be useful to facilitate easierunderstanding of the updated SDS-SEA. The same material may also beutilized for media promotion purposes.

Proposed Adapt Strategyo The EC recognized the value of

developing a new strategy for the SDS-SEA focusing on climate change

In line with the targetpresentation of theupdated SDS-SEA at theEAS Congress 2015, thePRF was requested to:

o Prepare a shortdocument explainingthe background of therevisions, highlightingkey revisions and theirrationale for thePEMSEA Partners;and

o Prepare a two-to-threepage document on thesubstance of theupdated SDS-SEA forease ofcommunication towider audience.

The EC adopted the workplan and schedule for theupdating of the SDS-SEAand setting of post-2015targets.


11/14


10


adaptation.o In preparing the new strategy, it is

important to base on existing facts anddevelopments related to climatechange, and not to depend heavily onthe expected results of the UNFCCC in2015.

Setting of post-2015 targetso Similar to the original targets of the

SDS-SEA, the EC underscored theneed to ensure that the new targets willbe easy to understand andmeasurable.

o It would also be good to link the SDS-SEA targets with other global targets(i.e., increase in ICM coastlinecoverage contributing to biodiversityprotection, climate change adaptation,etc.)

Work Plan and Scheduleo The EC reminded the meeting that

activities to be undertaken in line withthe updating of the SDS-SEA andsetting of post-2015 targets should berealistic given the short time left tocomplete the documents andconsultations with countries.

o The EC agreed that the proposedexpanded meeting in March 2015 willhelp facilitate the timely completion ofthe drafts and initiate review andcountry consultations.

Agenda Item 9.0Other Business

Dr. Zhang Zhanhais status as Vice Chair ofthe Intergovernmental Session of the EASPartnership Council

o The EC was informed that Dr. ZhangZhanhai, Intergovernmental SessionCo-Chair, has recently been promotedto Director-General of the StrategicPlanning and Economy of SOA.

o The PRF and the EC believe that thisnew development should be formallyclarified and discussed with the StateOceanic Administration in order toclearly assess possible implications toDr. Zhangs position in the EC.

Dr. Zhang Zhanhais status

The PRF was requested todraft a formalcommunication to Dr.Zhang Zhanhai forsignature by the CouncilChair with attention to the

Administrator of SOA, PRChina, expressing the ECsrequest for Dr. Zhangscontinued service asIntergovernmental Session


12/14


11


o The EC noticed the close relevance ofDr. Zhangs new position to thebusiness of PEMSEA and reiteratedthat the promotion of Dr. Zhang will notaffect his service since he is still basedwithin PEMSEAs NFP in China.

o Should there be restrictions in terms ofhis travel, the EC also considered thepossibility of holding some of the ECmeetings in Beijing.

Engaging Brunei Darussalam, Thailand,Malaysia and DPR Korea

o In line with the effort to furtherstrengthen PEMSEA as a newlyestablished international organization,the EC recognized the value ofrevitalizing the relationship of PEMSEAwith other countries in the EAS region,including Brunei and Malaysia.

o The EAS Congress 2015 may serve asa good opportunity to bring in thesecountries and explore opportunities toencouraging them in becomingPEMSEA Country Partners.

o Thailand on the other hand continuesto be a signatory and part of theGEF/UNDP Project on the Scaling upof the SDS-SEA. While politicaldifficulties in previous years may haveprevented Thailand from signing theHaikou Partnership Agreement, therecent political developments in thecountry may be a good opportunity toencourage Thailand to become a full-fledged PEMSEA Country Partner.

o In recent years, the DPR Korea has notbeen able to participate in a number ofPEMSEA meetings, including the last

EAS Partnership Council. The variousactivities to be undertaken by PEMSEAleading to the EAS Congress 2015may provide opportunities to re-engagethe DPR Korea.

Co-Chair of the EASPartnership Council.

Engaging BruneiDarussalam, Thailand,Malaysia and DPR Korea:

The PRF was requestedto:o Explore opportunities

for engaging BruneiDarussalam, Thailandand Malaysia toparticipate in the EASCongress 2015 and tobecome PEMSEACountry Partners; and

o Re-engage DPRKorea in the activitiesand meetings of thePartnership Counciland EAS Congress2015 as a PEMSEACountry Partner.


13/14


12


Closing of theMeeting

The Chair thanked the members of theExecutive Committee for their constructiveinput to the discussions. Amb. Seet-Changalso expressed appreciation on behalf ofthe Committee members to therepresentative from the MOF, RO Korea,the PRF Secretariat and the consultants forthe efforts in making the meeting asuccess.

The meeting closed at6PM, 19 November 2014.


14/14


13

Annex A

List of Participants

Executive Committee Amb. Mary Seet-ChengChairEast Asian Seas Partnership Council &Senior Specialist Adviser andNon-resident Ambassador of Singaporeto Panama and CubaMinistry of Foreign AffairsSingapore

Prof. Chul Hwan KohTechnical Session ChairEast Asian Seas Partnership Council &Professor of Marine BiologySchool of Earth and EnvironmentalSciences (Oceanography)College of Natural SciencesSeoul National UniversitySeoul 151-742Republic of Korea

Dr. Antonio G.M. La ViaCo-ChairEast Asian Seas Partnership Council &Dean, Ateneo School of Government

Ateneo de Manila University

Katipunan Avenue, Loyola HeightsQuezon CityPhilippines

Mr. Makoto HarunariTechnical Session Co-ChairEast Asian Seas Partnership Council &DirectorJapan Institution for Transport PolicyStudiesJapan

ObserverMs. Joon Young ChangDeputy General ManagerMarine Environment Cooperation TeamKorea Marine Environment ManagementCorporation

Haegon Bldg., 610 Samsung-roGangnam-gu, SeoulRO Korea

ConsultantsMr. Ryan WhisnantPrincipalCoalescent Services

Ms. Peachy PacquingBranding consultant

Mr. Cris MoraDesigner

Atty. Alaya de LeonLegal Specialist

Ateneo School of Government

Atty. Pauline Agatha CaspellanLegal Consultant


Ms. Jemima Marie MendozaResearcher


PRF SecretariatMr. Stephen Adrian RossExecutive DirectorPEMSEA Resource Facility

Mr. Yinfeng GuoProgramme SpecialistPEMSEA Resource Facility

Ms. Kathrine Rose S. GallardoSecretariat Coordinator

PEMSEA Resource Facility

Ms. Caroline VelasquezExecutive AssistantPEMSEA Resource Facility

Proceedings of the Fifteenth Executive Committee Meeting

Documents

Transcript of Proceedings of the Fifteenth Executive Committee Meeting