Guangzhou, China 
5-10 August 2019

Human activities stemming from social and economic developments have caused environmental problems in the coastal areas, which are already vulnerable to climate impacts and natural disasters. Marine spatial planning (MSP) is an increasingly recognised process to bring together multiple users of the ocean to make informed and coordinated decisions on marine resource sustainability.

Participants of the capacity building programme gather for a group shot.

In view of this, the ASEAN-China Cooperation Project, through the South China Institute of Environmental Sciences of the Ministry of Ecology and Environment (SCIES, MEE) organised a capacity building programme on MSP involving participants from ASEAN countries as well as local participants from China. The programme was coordinated under the ASEAN Senior Officials on Environment (ASOEN), ASEAN Working Group on Coastal and Marine Environment (AWGCME) national focal points, and the ASEAN Secretariat.

Participants engaged in information sharing and discussions during the programme.

The programme aimed to share information on existing practices and the regulations of ASEAN Member States and China in relation to coastal resource utilisation and management. It also aimed to identify potential cooperation in promoting sustainable coastal management in the region. 

Cheryl Rita Kaur, Centre Head for the Coastal and Marine Environment (CMER) represented MIMA in the programme. Counterparts from like-minded institutions, representatives from environment-related agencies, and stakeholders from ASEAN countries also attended the programme. Cheryl spoke about the importance of other tools to further support MSP implementation, including integrated coastal zone management (ICZM) approaches.

Overall, the programme provided a good opportunity to learn best practices from neighbouring countries and exchange views and perspectives on the different management measures and approaches on coastal management in the region.

The programme included a site visit to the Nansha Wetland Park to understand wetlands conservation in China.

Cheryl Rita (extreme right) with Dr. Chen Qinghua and Dr. Qiu Guanglong (extreme left) from China on a tour around the Nansha Wetland Park.