Progress report for
Strengthening regional cooperation for the protection of the marine and coastal environment in the Northwest Pacific
Achievement at a glance
Toyama, Japan, 2 January 2017 Four northwest Pacific nations meeting here for a yearly review of over two-decade-old joint efforts tackling environmental threats to their seas and shores, have agreed on the principles of an updated marine and coastal conservation strategy for one of the worlds most populous regions. Representatives of Japan, Peoples Republic of China, Republic of Korea and the Russian Federation attending the Twenty-second Intergovernmental Meeting of the Action Plan for the Protection, Management and Development of the Marine and Coastal Environment of the Northwest Pacific Region (NOWPAP) held from 19 to 21 December, endorsed the vision and principles of a new six-year strategy to align the 23-year-old Action Plan with the global sustainable development agenda. The proposed NOWPAP Medium Term Strategy (MTS) 2018-2023 envisions "a resilient Northwest Pacific marine and coastal environment, supporting sustainable development for the long-term benefit of present and future generations". This is to be promoted by leveraging the best scientific knowledge to inform policy- and decision-making and promoting intra-regional cooperation and synergy among project activities. Member countries will integrate the MTS vision in national marine coastal and marine conservation strategies.The Meeting approved a significant step up in funding to US$1,300,000 for NOWPAP activities for the 2018-2019 period, to be implemented by four Regional Activity Centres that focus on assessing the state of the coastal environment, monitoring pollution levels and developing marine disaster preparedness and response capacities of member states. Acknowledging the importance of ensuring that NOWPAP activities support national and regional progress towards the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), the Meeting called on member states to finalize MTS 2018-2023 by mid-2018, drawing on lessons learned during implementation of the MTS 2012-2017.