2012 EAS Congress Ministerial Forum held,
the Changwon Declaration adopted
Maritime Ministers of 11 Members of PEMSEA attended
The Ministry of Land, Transport and Maritime Affairs (Minister: H.E. Mr. Kwon, Do-Youp) announced that the Changwon Declaration which contains basic directions for the sustainable development for the seas of East Asia was adopted at the Fourth East Asian Seas Congress (EAS Congress) Ministerial Forum held in Changwon on the 12th of July.
The Ministerial Forum this year held an in-depth discussion on the achievements and limitations of the Sustainable Development Strategy for the Seas of East Asia (SDS-SEA) from the vantage points of central and local governments, enterprises, and international organizations, along with a debate about implementing the SDS-SEA action plans in the next five years (2012-2016).
In addition, representatives of the East Asian 11 countries reaffirmed the importance of a marine-based green economy in advancing human welfare, reducing disaster risks, and maintaining marine ecosystem services, and reached agreement on adopting the Changwon Declaration whose core contents are centered on establishing a blue economy which is a sustainable marine economy's development model.
A person related to the MLTM stated, "The Changwon Declaration's adoption is a welcoming event, as its emphasis on a blue economy is a rendering of the "green economy" concept agreed upon at the Rio+20 in a way that suits the regional characteristics of East Asia."
The person went on by adding, "The MLTM will further strengthen its partnerships with the states, local governments, enterprises, and civic societies of East Asian countries in order to develop green economies in East Asia while actively pursuing an application of the blue economy concept to Korea's coastal and maritime integrated management policies.
The MLTM vowed that with an aim to carry out the agreed action plans prescribed in the Changwon Declaration, it will further strengthen its efforts to carry out the SDS-SEA at a national level,
Predicting that Korea will play a key role in realizing the model of blue economy, which is a sustainable economic development model for the seas of East Asia going forward.