The Coordinating Body on the Seas of East Asia (COBSEA) oversees the implementation of the East Asian Seas Action Plan, adopted in April 1981 and revised in 1994. The Action Plan for the Protection and Development of the Marine Environment and Coastal Areas of the East Asian Seas Region (the East Asian Seas Action Plan) aims at protecting the marine and coastal environment in the region for the health and well-being of present and future generations.
At the request of participating countries, the Regional Coordinating Unit for the Action Plan was established in 1993, functioning as a Secretariat for COBSEA. The Secretariat is hosted by Thailand and administered by the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP).
COBSEA brings together nine countries (Cambodia, People’s Republic of China, Indonesia, Republic of Korea, Malaysia, the Philippines, Thailand, Singapore and Viet Nam) for the sustainable development and protection of the marine environment and coastal areas of the region.
Efforts are focused on addressing 1) marine pollution prevention, reduction and control, 2) marine and coastal biodiversity, ecosystem conservation and management, and 3) climate action, based on the COBSEA Strategic Directions 2023-2027, adopted in 2023.
COBSEA is one of 18 Regional Seas programmes for the sustainable management and use of the marine and coastal environment. Individual Regional Seas programmes reflect a similar approach, tailored to address regional context and environmental challenges while supporting delivery of global environmental and development goals.
