Following the 26th Intergovernmental Meeting of COBSEA in Siem Reap, members of the South China Sea Strategic Action Programme (SCS SAP) participated in a two-day strategic retreat aimed at strengthening cross-border collaboration for marine conservation.
The retreat focused on developing practical solutions for regional environmental challenges, particularly important given the program's operation across multiple Southeast Asian nations. Through collaborative exercises, participants explored how to better align individual country priorities with regional conservation goals while building stronger inter-team relationships.
A key outcome was the development of the acronym "S.U.S.T.A.I.N." (SCS SAP and COBSEA United for Strong Transboundary Actions for an Ideal Nature) to highlight the partnership between SCS-SAP project and COBSEA to achieve sustainability. Using the V2MOM method, the team established a vision for equitable and transparent resource allocation for restoration and conservation efforts across Southeast Asia, specifically addressing the triple planetary crisis.
The initiative prioritizes transparency, integrity, equitable access, and cultural sensitivity while ensuring political buy-in and efficiency. Key activities will focus on establishing and operationalizing a financial facility, including management reviews, governance frameworks, stakeholder consultation, and communication strategies. The team also addressed potential obstacles such as changing administrations, geopolitical tensions, and challenges in aligning various national policies.
The group set concrete targets: establishing an operational financial facility by December 2025, securing $50 million in funding by June 2026, and implementing 18 grants and protocols across national, local, and community levels by December 2026. These goals balance environmental impact with community benefit, demonstrating a comprehensive approach to conservation and development.
This innovative approach to regional environmental cooperation, combining strategic planning with team strengthening, has created a robust framework for marine conservation financing. As Southeast Asia confronts the triple planetary crisis, this collaborative model may prove crucial in protecting the region's vital marine ecosystems.
Liana McManus, TDA/SAP Consultant, said:
“Even if each individual knows their task perfectly, without appropriate transparency to the rest of the team members, you cannot achieve the collective goal.”
Isabel Vanderbeck, UNEP GEF International Waters Task Manager, said:
“The retreat was excellent in bringing together the project and COBSEA teams... this retreat was a real opportunity to start developing a concrete work plan. The power of face-to-face interaction should never be underestimated.”
SCSSAP Project Manager Anders Poulsen said:
“These retreat events are important because people can feel isolated working in their own countries or offices. People go back home with a sense of connection that helps their motivation and communication.”
Watch this short recap on YouTube.
