Confidence, optimism and determination reigned in Iloilo City last Thursday, 29 November 2018, as the 2018 East Asian Seas Congress concluded. After three days of events and sessions that brought together various ocean stakeholders from 19 countries across the region, the closing ceremony was attended by ministers and other high-level officials from the partner countries of the Partnership for the Environmental Management of the Seas of East Asia. These included leaders from Cambodia, China, East Timor, Indonesia, Republic of Korea (South Korea), Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (North Korea), Japan, Lao People’s Democratic Republic, Myanmar, Philippines, and Singapore.

La Viña, T. (2018, December 4). Iloilo Declaration for healthy oceans. Manila Standard, pp. A4, A5.