Resources

COBSEA is guided by 5-year Strategic Directions to protect and sustainably develop the marine and coastal environment of the East Asian Seas region. New COBSEA Strategic Directions for 2023-2027 were developed in consultation with participating countries and adopted by silence procedure in December 2023.

The Marine and Coastal Ecosystems Framework aims to integrate and harmonize all programmes, projects, and activities that were and are proposed to be implemented in the East Asian Seas by Coordinating Body on the Seas of East Asia (COBSEA) in relation to all matters related to the conservation and governance of the marine and coastal environments, including its biodiversity and ecosystems condi

At the 24th Intergovernmental Meeting of the Coordinating Body on the Seas of East Asia (COBSEA) in June 2019, participating countries adopted the revised Regional Action Plan on Marine Litter to guide action on marine litter in the East Asian Seas region.

The Coordinating Body on the Seas of East Asia (COBSEA) Strategic Directions 2018-2022 were adopted at the Second Extraordinary Intergovernmental Meeting of COBSEA in April 2018. 

The Regional Seas Conventions and Action Plans adopted the next Regional Seas Strategic Directions (2017-2020) at the 17th Global Meeting of the Regional Seas Conventions and Actions Plans in Istanbul, Türkiye, 20-22 October 2015.

The New Strategic Direction for COBSEA (2008-2012) was adopted by the 19th Intergovernmental Meeting in 2008. The new strategic direction is intended to enhance COBSEA as a regional intergovernmental body that can strengthen the national capacities of member countries and assist in identifying and addressing relevant strategic and emerging issues.

Vision and Plan - A Systematic Approach: Leading the EAS Action Plan to the 21st Century

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) was originally adopted in April 1981 and revised in 1994.