2nd Meeting of the Regional Scientific and Technical Committee

The 2nd Meeting of the Regional Scientific and Technical Committee (RSTC) was held on 23-25 July 2024 in Bangkok, Thailand, with participation from National Technical Focal Points and Technical Staff from Cambodia, China, Indonesia, Philippines, Thailand, and Vietnam, together with Regional Working Group (RWG) chairpersons, regional experts, regional partners, and with support by the National Coordinators and Project Coordination Unit. The meeting was also attended by Ms. Isabelle Vanderbeck, UNEP Task Manager, and Mr. Anders Poulsen, Senior Project Manager of the SCS SAP Project. During the meeting, the process for updating of the Transboundary Diagnostic Analysis (TDA) and Strategic Action Programme (SAP) and the potentials for regional data and knowledge management processes for the South China Sea and Gulf of Thailand were discussed. The updated TDA and SAP, as well as effective regional knowledge management processes, are considered key outcomes of the SCS-SAP project, and can be used by SCS countries - and the region as a whole - to mobilize future support for multiple national commitments related to climate, biodiversity and the Sustainable Development Goals by 2030 and beyond.

Following the two-day meeting, the project site visit was held at Don Hoi Lot wetland in Samut Songkhram Province, and Marine and Coastal Resources Office 8 in Samut Sakhon Province, Thailand, for knowledge sharing as one of the project sites under the SCS SAP Project. 

For more information, the meeting documents, presentations, and other relevant materials are available on the project website at https://scssap.org/2nd-meeting-of-the-rstc

Harnessing science for the South China Sea and Gulf of Thailand: Special Forum highlights solutions for improved management

BANGKOK, 22 April 2024 — A critical forum kicks off today at the 2nd UN Ocean Decade Regional Conference and 11th WESTPAC International Marine Science Conference focusing on science-driven strategies for managing and preserving the rich ecosystems of the South China Sea and Gulf of Thailand and will run until 24 April at the Berkeley Hotel Pratunam in Bangkok, Thailand. The United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) and United Nations Office for Project Services (UNOPS), funded by the Global Environment Facility (GEF), will convene the Special Forum that explores how scientific knowledge can translate into tangible environmental improvements.

Scientists and representatives from the governments of Cambodia, China, Indonesia, Philippines, Thailand, and Vietnam, who are key stakeholders of the South China Sea and the Gulf of Thailand, as well as lead conservation experts from across the Asia Pacific region will gather to discuss sustainable development in the South China Sea. Over the course of three-days, they will share observations from multiple initiatives that have been conceived to boost the ‘blue economy' in the region’s most affected areas. Discussions will also cover the different challenges being faced by communities and ecosystems along Thailand’s coast, including the impact of tourism on the coral reef ecosystem around Koh Mak Island. Additionally, reports from fishermen operating in overlapping fishing areas and coastal dolphin habitats in the Middle Gulf of Southern Thailand will be presented. Attendees will also learn about reef coral decline and adaptive solutions for coral reef conservation in Nui Chua National Park in Vietnam.

The South China Sea is a biodiversity hotspot under increasing pressure from overexploitation, habitat degradation, and pollution. The Gulf of Thailand and the South China Sea are interconnected large marine ecosystems, sharing water, marine life, and even environmental threats. Their connection means that pollution or habitat loss in one can impact the other, underscoring the need for a unified management approach.

Mr. Anders Poulsen, Project Manager of the GEF/UNEP/UNOPS Implementing the Strategic Action Programme for the South China Sea and Gulf of Thailand (SCS SAP) Project said: “The outcomes of this forum have significant implications for safeguarding the South
China Sea and Gulf of Thailand, contributing to regional and global ocean conservation efforts. It highlights that collaborative, science-based approaches are essential to ensure the sustainable use and protection of these essential marine resources for generations to come.”

Mr. Ukkrit Satapoomin, Director of Thailand's Marine Resources Conservation Division, Department of Marine and Coastal Resources (DMCR) of the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment (MONRE) and the National Technical Focal Point of the SCS SAP Project also expressed: "As one of the six participating countries, Thailand is honored to host this important forum. The health of the Gulf of Thailand is inextricably linked to the South China Sea, and collaborative, science-based solutions are paramount. We are working alongside our regional partners to ensure a thriving future for these vital marine ecosystems."

The Special Forum underscores the UN Decade of Ocean Science for Sustainable Development, emphasizing collaboration between scientists, policymakers, and local communities.

Dr. Vo Si Tuan, Regional Science Coordinator of the SCS SAP Project and Co-Convener of the Special Forum likewise added: “The countries bordering this critical marine basin recognize the urgent need for action, working together through the SCS SAP Project, to implement solutions guided by science and regional cooperation.”

China Organizes Expert Consultation Meeting to Discuss Execution of Site Level Activities

South China Institute of Environmental Sciences (SCIES), Ministry of Ecology and Environment of the People's Republic of China has organized an expert consultation meeting on SCS SAP Project PCA (Project Cooperation Agreement) on 14 July 2022 as part of the UNEP/GEF “Implementing the Strategic Action Programme for the South China Sea and Gulf of Thailand (SCS SAP Project). The objectives of this meeting were to discuss activities of habitats including mangroves, seagrass and coastal wetland to be implemented during 2022-2023 in China. The meeting took the form of combination of online and offline. Participated by about 40 participants, the meeting was chaired by Dr. Xiangbin Pei, who is China’s national coordinator of the UNEP/GEF SCS SAP Project.

Read more ...

Cambodia Finalizes National and Site Level Activities for Execution

The Ministry of Environment of Cambodia has organized a national consultation workshop from 24-25 February 2022 in Kampot Province as part of the UNEP/GEF “Implementing the Strategic Action Programme for the South China Sea and Gulf of Thailand (SCS SAP Project). 

Participated in by 32 participants, the workshop discussed and finalized the project activities and budget for national and site level execution, which will form part of the agreements between MOE and UNOPS that will support the execution of project activities in Cambodia. A total of 12 sites (three sites for each habitat) were identified for the restoration and management of mangrove, coral reef, seagrass and wetland habitats in the four coastal provinces in Cambodia. It is expected to achieve the targets of 33,978 has of mangroves, 1,080 has of coral reefs, 3,231 has of seagrasses and 21,052 has of wetlands under sustainable use and management.

Read more ...

In Recognition of Mike Baumann (1967-2022)

It is with great sadness we announce the passing of Michael Francois Baumann last month, in Pattaya, Thailand.

Mike has been a key contributor and behind the scenes to both the initial South China Sea project (http://www.unepscs.org/) and now the SCS SAP Implementation Project (https://scssap.org/) and the Fisheries Refugia Project (https://fisheries-refugia.org/) providing his services in the design and development, hosting and maintenance, data security and network solutions, backups, and updating of the UNEPSCS, SCSSAP, and Fisheries-Refugia websites and associated databases. He has also worked in various UN organizations such as UNEP, UNDP and FAO, and regional organizations and projects such as SEAFDEC, COBSEA and SOPAC. He also is responsible for the development of GEF funded project web-sites such as the SOPAC/GEF Pacific IWRM Project and Pacific R2R Project websites and associated databases (http://www.pacific-iwrm.org and https://www.pacificr2r.org/).

Read more ...

Progress in achieving the South China Sea and Gulf of Thailand SAP targets

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. 

For further information, please click this link.

South China Sea Organizes its First Regional Working Group Meetings on Habitats

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.

For further details about the meetings, please click [LINK] 

Save the Date!

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.