Download Partners` Reports on SDS-SEA Implementation: IOC

Statement from WESTPAC/IOC/UNESCO
WESTPAC/IOC/UNESCO started a way to revitalize its activities from 7th Session held on
26-29 May, 2008.
WESTPAC could set its High-Level Objectives at the Session, and now try
to organize Advisory Group which has the responsibility to provide scientific and technical
advice on the development, planning and implementation of the activities. WESTPAC could
identify leaders and activities of 13 projects.
Leader meeting is in plan to hold sometime this
year for standardization of project structure, in order to facilitate their activities with more
financial and other supports from member states.
Steps for revitalization is still in preparatory phase now, but after organization of the Advisory
Group in late this year, WESTPAC will have better clarity in its program and budget and
smoother and wider activity in various fields of marine science. WESTPAC has now new
officers (Chair, Dr. Zhang Zhanhai (China); 1st Vice-Chair, Dr. Yasuwo Fukuyo (Japan); 2nd
Vice-Chair, Dr. Nor Aieni Bin Hj Moktar (Malaysia)) and will have a director for its Regional
Office in Bangkok, Thailand soon.
WESTPAC, as the Regional Subsidiary Bodies of IOC/UNESCO, wish to play an important
role in establishing partnerships and understanding (agreements) with other UN and
non-governmental regional bodies who have similar and/or overlapping interests. EAS Congress
2009 to be held next year is one of the best chances to initiate closer cooperation between
PEMSEA and WESTPAC, and we wish to start communication to make it more fruitful meeting
for both of us.
1. Goals/Objectives in line with the SDS-SEA
WESTPAC/IOC/UNESCO High-Level Objectives (HLOs), aligning with IOC High-level
Objectives (2008-2009) and Medium-term Strategy (2008-2013), are;
1) Prevention and reduction of the impacts of natural hazards
2) Mitigation of the impacts and adaptation of climate change and variability
3) Safeguarding the health of ocean ecosystems
4) Management procedures and politics leading to the sustainability of coastal and ocean
environment and resource
5) Scientific knowledge and innovation
There are nine projects related to ocean science and two each in ocean observing system and
ocean service in WESTPAC.
All projects have specific mission and objectives/goals set in
accordant with the WESTPAC-HLOs.
2. Major achievements/accomplishments during the intersessional
period
In 2005-2008 much effort are concentrated for revitalization of WESTPAC activities through
various types of activities such as:
1) Enhancing the Participation and Support
2) Restructuring and Refining WESTPAC Activities
3) Implementing the WESTPAC Workplan (2005-2008) such as Scientific Symposium
4) Improving Regional Capability in Marine Science
5) Strengthening Regional Cooperation
6) Facilitating the Implementations of IOC Activities
3. Current and future activities/programmes
Besides the activities to be made by each projects listed below, WESTPAC is now in process to
establish the Advisory Group of WESTPAC to oversee and evaluate achievement of projects
and to provide scientific advice for future of WESTPAC.
Reformation of structure of projects
is also on-going to facilitate their activity with more financial and other in kind support from
member states.
Project leader meeting for this purpose will be held this year,
Projects related to ocean science:
1. Harmful algal blooms in the western Pacific (WESTPAC-HAB)
2. Atmospheric Inputs Study
3. Ocean Remote Sensing
4. Responses of Marine Hazards to climate change in the Western Pacific
(WESTPAC-MaHaz)
5. Coastal Marine Biodiversity and Conservation in the WESTPAC Region
6. Enhancing the Capability on Oil Spill Response and Restoration of Marine Ecosystem in
the Western Pacific
7. Fluvial Sediment Supply to the South China Sea: Anthropogenic and Natural Aspects
8. Coral Reefs under Climate and Anthropogenic Perturbation (WESTPAC-CorReCAP)
9. Marine Hazards Forecasting and Mitigation in the Western Pacific (WESTPAC-MHWM)
Projects related to Ocean observing sysetem
1. Northeast Asian Global Ocean Observing System ( NEAR-GOOS)
2. Southeast Asian Global Ocean Observing System (SEAGOOS)
Projects related to Ocean service
1. International Bathymetric Chart of the Western Pacific (IBCWP)
2. ODINWESTPAC Pilot Project (including GODAR-WESTPAC)
4. Needs/Challenges
WESTPAC needs to complete formation of the Advisory Group and its first meeting to review
all activities and set clearer objectives with time frame.
Before them, a project leader meeting
for standardization of project framework is also necessary.
now preparing them.
The officers with secretariat are
These actions related to the revitalizations have just started from the end
of May. Financial condition ofor WESTPAC projects is expected to be not much serious,
comparing with that in previous years, as China and Korea increased their support to
WESTPAC.