PEMSEA Learning Exchange on Good Practices in Implementing Biodiversity Conservation-Focused Ecosystem and Area-based Management Approaches

Rationale: In December 2022, the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework (GBF) was adopted by 196 nations at the UN Biodiversity Conference (CBD COP15) in Montreal, Canada. With goals and action-oriented targets particularly focusing on reducing threats to biodiversity (Target 3) and tools and solutions for implementation and mainstreaming (Target 20).

In March 4, 2023, a historic agreement under the purview of UNCLOS was reached at the United Nations in New York on a new treaty for the conservation and sustainable use of biodiversity beyond national jurisdiction (BBNJ) known as the High Seas Treaty2. The treaty’s objective to establish large scale marine protected areas directly contributes to the Kunming-Montreal GBF 30 x 30 conservation target.

In the context of the healthy ocean’s component and enabling capacity programs of the Sustainable Development Strategy for the Seas of East Asia Implementation Plan 2023-2027, this seminar jointly organized by the Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries, PEMSEA Resource Facility and the Korea Maritime Institute (KMI), Korea Marine Environment Management Corporation (KOEM) and Korea Institute of Ocean and Technology (KIOST) will elucidate on the implementation requirements of the Kunming-Montreal GBF (and BBNJ) in consideration of national circumstances, priorities and capacities in relation to coastal and marine biodiversity management in the EAS region. It will highlight the practical experiences in the region in implementing area-based management approaches such as integrated coastal management (ICM), marine spatial planning (MSP) and other approaches as measures to operationalize the GBF requirements in line with the commitments made by the countries.

As one of the pioneering countries in East Asia to promote the implementation of ICM, the Republic of Korea has established a full-fledged national ICM system by enacting the Coastal Management Act in 1999 and adopted an ICM Plan in 2000. In 2018, the Marine Spatial Planning and Management Act was enacted to establish a marine spatial plan that integrates the coastal management plan and establish new systems such as the marine spatial data system, marine use zone, marine space characteristics evaluation, and marine suitability consultation. Speakers from KMI and KOEM will share RO Korea’s experiences and future plans in establishing a system of MSP and marine and coastal management methods that facilitate the integration of various area-based approaches in RO Korea, including the conservation and management of marine protected areas and current status in implementing the ecological axis management under the Natural Environment Conservation Act of 1991 as part of other effective area-based conservation measures (OECM).