NOWPAP links with partners are strengthened

NOWPAP has recently increased exchange with partners through participation in a number of international meetings and workshops.   On 7-10 April 2008, NOWPAP activities were presented at the 4th Global Conference on Oceans, Coasts and Islands (attended by over 400 patricians from 70 countries).  NOWPAP is trying to bring interested partners, such as PEMSEA, to share their experience in Integrated Coastal and River Basin Management (ICARM), and have received positive response.   At the 2008 International Coastal Cleanup Conference on 23-25 April, NOWPAP marine litter activities and future plans were introduced to 60 attendees, including the ICC national coordinators from the US and around the world.  NOWPAP publications on marine litter were distributed among participants.  The Ocean Conservancy, the ICC initiator and advocate, has expressed its willingness to participate in a training workshop planned by NOWPAP in September 2008, in order to further promote the ICC campaign in the region.  Presentation on NOWPAP efforts in marine litter monitoring has been made at the meeting of the UNEP/IOC Technical Working Group (TWG) on 1-3 May 2008.  TWG members discussed the first draft of the UNEP/IOC Operational Guidelines on Survey and Monitoring of Marine Litter.  Experience accumulated by NOWPAP member states in marine litter monitoring will be taken into account while finalizing the UNEP/IOC Guidelines, along with expertise from OSPAR, HELCOM and other programmes.  In order to strengthen partnerships with other organizations and programmes in the region, NOWPAP will participate in the upcoming 7th IOC/WESTPAC International Scientific Symposium “Nature Hazards and the Changing Marine Environment in the Western Pacific and the 12th Session of the NEAR-GOOS Coordinating Committee which will take place on 21-25 May 2008.  Both meetings are organized in conjunction with 7th Intergovernmental Session of the IOC Sub-Commission for the Western Pacific scheduled for 26-29 May 2008.  Presentations on NOWPAP current and future activities will strengthen further cooperation with partners.