Eleven countries bordering the seas of East Asia have issued a joint declaration affirming their commitment toward the conservation and sustainable development of coastal and marine resources in the region. The Iloilo Ministerial Declaration entitled “East Asian Region Moving As One to Secure Healthy Oceans, People and Economies,” was adopted by environment ministers and heads of delegation during the 6th Ministerial Forum of the East Asian Seas Congress 2018 held in Iloilo City from Nov. 27 to 30. The 11 countries – Cambodia, China, Indonesia, Japan, Laos, North Korea, Singapore, South Korea, Timor-Leste, Vietnam and the Philippines – are members of the Partnerships in Environmental Management for Seas of East Asia (PEMSEA), an intergovernmental organization operating in East Asia to foster and sustain healthy and resilient oceans, coasts, communities and economies across the region.

Villanueva, R. (2018, December 6). East Asian states issue declaration for sustainable marine resources. The Philippine Star, p. B6.