Resources

Background:

• The PNLC Learning Center consolidates the wealth of information on coastal and ocean
governance, improves public access to this information, promotes awareness and replication of
exemplary practices in coastal governance, and generally promotes a culture of learning and
knowledge sharing.

• The need to establish and strengthen PEMSEA learning centers is based upon two certainties: a)
there is a significant amount of intellectual capital in the region that remains untapped in the
drive to achieve sustainable development; and b) capacities to address the priority management
issues/concerns are disparate among and within countries of the region, and in certain
programme areas, are inadequate.

• The overall objective of establishing PEMSEA learning centers is to serve as PEMSEA’s technical
support mechanism in the implementation of programs within the framework of the SDS-SEA.
The learning centers will ensure the region’s access to expert services and advice as well as providing support and assistance in project management and implementation relating to SDS-
SEA implementation.

• Research institutions and universities are expected to provide a strong support to PEMSEA in
promoting the replication and scaling up of ICM efforts, linking it with other area-based
management approaches and in implementing the joint regional strategy ‘Sustainable
Development Strategy for the Seas of East Asia (SDS-SEA). Thus, strengthening their capacity on
SDS-SEA programs specifically in integrated coastal management and other management
approaches, the promotion of blue economy and related activities is critical.

Introduction:

The 2024 PNLC Executive Committee (PNLC EC) Meeting was organized by the PEMSEA Resource
Facility (PRF), which is currently serving as the interim PNLC Secretariat, on 22 July 2024 in Puerto
Princesa, Palawan, Philippines. It was organized as a back-to-back activity with the 16
th EAS
Partnership Council Meeting and the Blue Carbon Working Group Meeting. It was participated in by

Prof. Yonvitner of the Center for Coastal and Marine Resources Studies of the IPB University (CCMRS-
IPB) and President of the PNLC, Dr. Fang Qinhua, Deputy Director of the Coastal and Ocean

Management Institute of Xiamen University (COMI-XU) and Vice-President of the PNLC, and Ms.
Aimee T. Gonzales, PEMSEA Resource Facility (PRF) Executive Director as members of the PNLC
Executive Committee. Ms. Isdahartatie and Dr. Gentha Akmal of the CCMRS-IPB University/incoming
PNLC Secretariat and Ms. Maida Aguinaldo, PEMSEA Training and Capacity Development Manager
served as the Secretariat of the meeting.

The Republic of Korea, through KMI, hosted the 6th GEO Blue Planet Symposium on “Digital Solution
for Sustainable Ocean Community”. The symposium introduced GEO Blue Planet to help establish
GEO Blue Planet networks in Asia to strengthen data-based marine and coastal management
capabilities. It hoped to provide the participants an opportunity to become key members of the GEO
BP Asian network by participating in the working groups on topics of interest, including digital MSP.

Introduction:

The 2023 PNLC Executive Committee (PNLC EC) Meeting was organized by the PEMSEA Resource
Facility (PRF), which is currently serving as the interim PNLC Secretariat, on 27 July 2023 in Hanoi,
Vietnam. It was organized as a back-to-back activity with the 15th EAS Partnership Council Meeting. It
was participated in by Prof. Yonvitner of the Center for Coastal and Marine Resources Studies of the
IPB University (CCMRS-IPB) and President of the PNLC, Dr. Fang Qinhua, Deputy Director of the Coastal
and Ocean Management Institute of Xiamen University (COMI-XU) and Vice-President of the PNLC,
and Ms. Aimee T. Gonzales, PEMSEA Resource Facility (PRF) Executive Director as members of the
PNLC Executive Committee. Ms. Isdahartatie of the CCMRS-IPB University/incoming PNLC Secretariat
and Ms. Nancy Bermas from PRF attended the meeting which was chaired by Prof. Yonvitner. Ms.
Maida Aguinaldo, PEMSEA Training and Capacity Development Manager served as the Secretariat of
the meeting.

Purpose:

This document was established in line with Article 5, Paragraphs 4-5 of the PNLC
Charter, mandating the creation of a Code of Conduct that will provide standards for
professional conduct in every major field of operation of the PNLC to guide the smooth
and efficient operations of the network in implementing the Sustainable Development
Strategy for the Seas of East Asia (SDS-SEA). It was patterned, with appropriate
amendments, after the Code of Ethics for PRF Personnel and the codes of conduct of
several associations and universities. The PNLC Code of Conduct was approved by the
General Assembly on 10 September 2022.