The East Asian Seas (EAS) Congress is a pioneering region-wide platform for capacity building, strategic action and cooperation for the sustainable development of the Seas of East Asia. It has been described as an intellectual marketplace whereby policymakers, senior government officials, scientists and technical experts, the academe, private sector, local communities, nongovernmental entities, the youth and other stakeholders from local, national, regional and international levels come together to share knowledge/experiences and engage in dynamic discussions regarding trends, issues and concerns related to coastal and ocean governance, locally, regionally and globally.

The EAS Congress 2009 will be a venue for reviewing and sharing on-the-ground experiences in integrated management of coastal and marine resources. Carrying the theme, “Partnerships at Work: Local Implementation and Good Practices,” the EAS Congress 2009 will highlight initiatives and good practices covering key aspects of coastal and marine resource management and how interregional, interagency and multisectoral partnerships are contributing to regional and international environmental targets. The EAS Congress 2009 will review progress with respect to the implementation of the Sustainable Development Strategy for the Seas of East Asia (SDS-SEA), assessing the achievements and challenges that remain, and mapping out future actions to ensure the steady advancement towards the sustainability of the seas of East Asia.

The EAS Congress 2009 will be hosted by the Government of the Philippines. It is being organized by the Partnerships in Environmental Management for the Seas of East Asia (PEMSEA) together with the Department of Environment of Natural Resources (DENR) of the Philippines and supported by the Global Environment Facility, United Nations Development Programme, United Nations Office for Project Services and Coastal Management Center. Various partner organizations are being invited to co-convene Congress workshops, seminars and events.