Toyoma, Japan, 21 December 2017 – Four northwest Pacific nations meeting here for a yearly review of over two-decade-old joint efforts tackling environmental threats to their seas and shores, have agreed on the principles of an updated marine and coastal conservation strategy for one of the world’s most populous regions.
Representatives of Japan, People’s Republic of China, Republic of Korea and the Russian Federation attending the Twenty-second Intergovernmental Meeting of the Action Plan for the Protection, Management and Development of the Marine and Coastal Environment of the Northwest Pacific Region (NOWPAP) held from 19 to 21 December, endorsed the vision of a new six-year strategy to align the 23-year-old Action Plan with the global sustainable development agenda adopted by world leaders in September 2015 .
The proposed NOWPAP Medium Term Strategy (MTS) 2018-2023 envisions "a resilient Northwest Pacific marine and coastal environment, supporting sustainable development for the long-term benefit of present and future generations". This is to be promoted by leveraging the best scientific knowledge to inform policy- and decision-making and promoting intraregional cooperation and synergy among project activities. Member countries will integrate the MTS vision in national marine coastal and marine conservation strategies.
The Meeting approved a significant step up in funding to US$1,300,000 for NOWPAP activities for the 2018-2019 period, to be implemented by four Regional Activity Centres that focus on assessing the state of the coastal environment, monitoring pollution levels and developing marine disaster preparedness and response capacities of member states.
Acknowledging the importance of ensuring that NOWPAP activities support national and regional progress towards the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), the Meeting called on member states to finalize MTS 2018-2023, drawing on lessons learned during implementation of the MTS 2012-2017.
Addressing the opening session, H.E. Mr. Tamaki TSUKADA, Deputy Assistant Minister International Cooperation Bureau, Global Issues, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Japan, said NOWPAP provides an effective regional cooperation platform for addressing emerging shared marine environmental issues. “There is no better time than now for NOWPAP member states to assess developments in ocean protection, review their strategy and adopt policy guidelines,” he said.
Taking note of the growing threat to the Northwest Pacific coastal and marine environment from marine litter, in particular microplastics, the Meeting called on NOWPAP member states to step up Action Plan activities to prevent, monitor and remove marine litter at national and local level, working through the Regional Action Plan on Marine Litter adopted in 2008.
It endorsed a proposed special project to monitor and assess the impact of the growing microplastics pollution in the region, which will be led by the Chinese Research Academy of Environmental Sciences.
Located between approximately 121 degree E and 143 degree E longitude, and approximately 33 degree N and 52 degree N latitude, the Northwest Pacific Region includes coastal areas and islands in both sub-polar and temperate zones and is home to about 300 million people, most of them living in coastal areas in China, Japan, Republic of Korea and Russia.
The spectacular marine life and commercially important fishing resources in the NOWPAP region are increasingly threatened by coastal development, land-based activities, oil spills and marine litter. The region is particularly vulnerable to marine pollution incidents due to its high shipping density. Over-fishing, nutrient overloading, introduction of non-indigenous and invasive species, aquaculture, destruction and modification of habitats, and climate change impact are major threats to the coastal and marine ecosystems.
Launched in 1994, the Action Plan is one of 18 Regional Seas Programme of UN Environment which aims to protect and ensure sustainable use of the world’s coastal and marine environment.
