An introduction video to the new initiative entitled “Implementing the Strategic Action Programme for the South China Sea." 

The GEF-financed Implementing the Strategic Action Programme for the South China Sea project is making significant strides in coastal environmental security. Launched by UN Environment, the project is working to achieve major environmental stress reduction across over 1.8 million ha of coastal habitats (mangroves, coral reefs, seagrass, and wetlands). A key innovation driving this success is the scaled-up application of drone technology (unmanned aerial vehicles) to conduct cost-effective aerial surveys and rapid assessments. 

This initiative entitled “Implementing the Strategic Action Programme for the South China Sea and Gulf of Thailand" is financed by the Global Environment Facility and is implemented by the United Nations Environment Programme in partnership with the Ministries responsible for environment in Cambodia, China, Indonesia, Philippines, Thailand and Vietnam. The overall objective of this initiative is to assist the governments of the participating countries in meeting the targets of the approved Strategic Action Programme (SAP) for the South China Sea through the provision of technical assistance as required in implementing national activities in support of the SAP; and the provision of strong regional co-ordination of the process of SAP implementation.

This ‘Story from the South China Sea’ aims to contribute to regional efforts to promote gender equality in fisheries. The seafood supply system of Southeast Asia differs from many other parts of the world where whole families are often involved in the activity of fishing, act as market analysts, work on construction of fishing vessels and gear, right through to often running small seafood outlets that are enjoyed by the more than 300+ million people that live in coastal areas of places like the South China Sea.

The South China Sea is a strategic body of water surrounded by nations that are currently at the helm of industrialization and rapid economic growth in the Asia-Pacific region. The South China Sea has always been central to issues of economic and political stability in Southeast Asia and adjacent regions. The South China Sea is also a global center of shallow water tropical marine biodiversity and is central to defining environmental sustainability and food security in the region. Coastal communities of the South China Sea’s riparian states are, however, at the highest risk globally from the impacts of increasing rates of coastal and marine environmental degradation. The Strategic Action Programme for the South China Sea, endorsed at the inter-governmental level, represents the only agreed common vision among the participating countries on targets and actions for reversing environmental degradation trends in the South China Sea. The following short film outlines the process of Strategic Action Programme formulation and importantly the contribution its implementation will make to the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals.

The South China Sea is a global centre of shallow water marine biological diversity that supports significant fisheries that are important to the food security and export income of Southeast Asian countries. This short film outlines efforts of the Southeast Asian Fisheries Development Center (SEAFDEC) to work with communities and governments to integrate habitat and biodiversity conservation considerations into fishery management and practices. The South China Sea Fisheries Refugia Initiative is financed by the Global Environment Facility and implemented by United Nations Environment with the aim of achieving the fisheries targets of the Strategic Action Programme for South China Sea.

The Strategic Action Programme for the South China Sea represents the only intergovernmentally endorsed agreement of the priority, costed actions to reverse environmental degradation of this globally significant marine basin. This photo shows the Global Environment Facility's Chief Executive Officer, Dr. Naoko Ishii, recently endorsing a large GEF International Waters project to implement the coastal habitat, land-based pollution, and regional cooperation components of the South China Sea.

The initiative entitled the “Establishment and Operation of a Regional System of Fisheries Refugia in the South China Sea and Gulf of Thailand Sea" is working with communities and governments to implement the fisheries component of the South China Sea Strategic Action Programme. Its objective is to integrate habitat and biodiversity conservation considerations into fishery management and practices. The initiative is financed by the Global Environment Facility, implemented by United Nations Environment, and executed regionally by the Southeast Asian Fisheries Development Center in partnership with the government agencies responsible for fisheries in Cambodia, Indonesia, Malaysia, Philippines, Thailand and Vietnam. The fisheries refugia approach, which aims to safeguard habitats critical to the life cycles of important fisheries resources, will not only improve and secure biodiversity but also build resiliency for those who rely on the ocean for their food and livelihoods. By improving the way fisheries and environment ministries work together, and by linking fishing effort with coastal management practices, this initiative will provide multiple benefits for the environment and people. Click here for more information about fisheries refugia.

Baseline coastal habitat area information can be accessed on Goggle Maps by clicking here. Google Earth users can load this information and data by clicking here.