The “Implementing the Strategic Action Programme for the South China Sea and Gulf of Thailand” (SCS SAP Project) completed its Inception Phase with the 1st Steering Committee Meeting held online on the 29 and 30 of June, 2021 with official representatives from Cambodia, China, Indonesia, Philippines, Thailand and Viet Nam and the UNEP Task Manager for the project, with the support of SEAFDEC, UNOPS and the Project Coordination Unit staff. This was followed by the Inception Workshop was held on the 1 July 2021 in order to present and launch the project and discuss key partnerships. In the opening statements it was noted that this is a “monumental event” to launch the project and coordinate with partners and stakeholders, with over 200 participants, including participating country national teams, and other relevant national stakeholders, and key regional and global partners and projects.
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The First Regional Working Group Meetings for Mangroves (1 December 2021), Coral Reefs (2 December 2021), Seagrass (3 December 2021) and Wetlands (7 December 2021) were held with national committee chairs and representatives of each working group including national project teams and experts to present and discuss the SAP targets particularly the status of SAP implementation from 2008-2020, and the status and progress of the SCS SAP Project implementation. Across the habitat working groups, it was evident that significant progress had been achieved in SAP implementation over the last decade in terms of the declaration of sites with protection and conservation status, development and implementation of management plans including restoration in sites, and adoption of policy and legislative reforms, among others.
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For further details about the meetings, please click [LINK]
According to the Terms of Reference of the Regional Working Groups (RWGs) adopted at the 1st Project Steering Committee (29-30 June 2021), the purpose of RWG has the responsibility “for co-ordinating the work of the National Committees on mangroves, coral reefs, seagrass, and wetlands, established in each of the participating countries; for ensuring effective implementation of project activities undertaken in the context of the achievement of the habitats management targets of the project; and to provide a mechanism for exchange of information and experience of habitats management activities in each country.”
The objectives of the First Meeting of the Regional Working Groups include 1. Present and discuss the SAP targets for mangroves, coral reefs, seagrass and wetlands, and selected sites; 2. Present the compiled information provided on the status of SAP implementation between 2008-2020, which will be further developed into a publication in 2022; 3. Present the compiled information on the national revisions to targets and sites, building upon recent and ongoing projects, initiatives, and best practices; and 4. Discuss executing arrangement and work plans for 2021-2022.
The documents and other materials will be available on the project website at https://www.scssap.org/events.
The Inception Workshop was held on the 1 July 2021 in order to present and launch the project and discuss key partnerships. In the opening statements it was noted that this is a “monumental event” to launch the project and coordinate with partners and stakeholders, with over 200 participants, including participating country national teams, and other relevant national stakeholders, and key regional and global partners and projects.
The SCS SAP overall vision, objectives, outputs as well as planned activities for 2021 were presented by the Senior Project Manager, as well as the projects executing arrangements and national and regional level working groups and committees to ensure full engagement of all stakeholders in project execution. This was followed by national presentations from National Technical Working Group chairs from Cambodia, China, Indonesia, Philippines, Thailand and Viet Nam.