|
5th International Conference on the Environmental Management of Enclosed Coastal Seas (EMECS 2001)
Asian Forum
20 November 2001
Portpia Hotel, Kobe, Japan
Organised by Asia-Pacific Network for Global Change Research (APN), Institute
for Global Environmental Strategies (IGES) Kansai Research Center, and International
EMECS Center.
Summary Report
Programme
Theme
Current status of Asian enclosed coastal seas and realization of an integrated assessment
Background
| (1) |
The Asian region is home to 55% of the earth's population. Nine of the world's 13 largest cities with a population greater than 10 million are located within this region, and urbanization and industrialization are expected to progress even further throughout the 21st century. Most of the largest cities are located on inner bays, at the mouths of rivers and in other coastal areas that include enclosed coastal seas. In order to preserve the environments of such enclosed coastal seas, urbanization and industrialization in Asia must be pursued in a sustainable manner.
|
| (2) |
International efforts to prevent global warming began in the 1990s and are continuing. However, further progress for these measures will require scientific evaluations and advance forecasts of the impact of global warming on ecosystems and socio-economic systems. Enclosed coastal seas contain seaweed beds, tidelands and other valuable ecosystems, and cities that are centers of population, social infrastructures and so on are located further inland. These areas are easily affected by natural disasters such as rising sea levels, floods and high surf. For this reason, the relationship between changes in the global environment and enclosed coastal seas must also be identified.
|
| (3) |
In light of this situation, the environmental management of enclosed coastal seas in Asia must be promoted by cooperation among countries, international organizations, academic societies, citizens groups and other entities, both within that region and in other regions as well. To facilitate such cooperation, scientific identification of the current status of enclosed coastal seas in Asia from an academic perspective and a comprehensive and wide-ranging grasp of factors such as population, resources, environment, development and land use must be conducted to determine future prospects from both medium and long-term perspectives, and to propose policies for the international community to consider.
|
Objectives
The Asian Forum will be held with the following objectives:
|
| (1) |
To present and discuss research achievements on the current status, long-term perspective, and policy direction of coastal environments in Asia.
|
| (2) |
To identify the current status of relevant studies and research of enclosed coastal areas in the Asia-Pacific region from the medium/long-term viewpoint, and to evaluate the significance and the feasibility of the above-mentioned studies and research.
|
Key Questions
| (1) |
Present status of Asian coastal zones
What are the values and functions of Asian coastal zones?
What problems do Asian coastal zones face?
|
| (2) |
Measures and policy directions for the coastal preservation
How can urbanization and development coexist with the coastal environment?
How is sustainable development in Asia?
How is integrated coastal zone management implemented?
What is missing for desirable coastal zone management?
What roles should science play for desirable coastal zone management?
How should international cooperation address common trans-boundary problems?
|
| (3) |
Possibility of the comprehensive assessment
Is Comprehensive Environmental Assessment for the Asian Coastal Zones feasible and valuable?
Are there any practices for related database development and assessment?
Which subjects should be included in the comprehensive assessment?
How can we join forces internationally for the assessment?
|
Tentative Goals
- To continue the exchange of information in the region.
- To develop an international network of experts and related people.
- To start planning the Comprehensive Environmental Assessment for the Asian Coastal
Zones.
- To publicise an intermediate version of the assessment at the 6th EMECS Conference
in 2003.
Summary Report
CLOSING REMARKS by Prof. Nobuo Mimura, Coordinator
of the Forum
The Asian Forum started as the first session of the EMECS 2001 Conference
and achieved great success. We had five very interesting presentations focusing
on the marine ecosystem, water pollution, coastal development and the environment,
and the future perspective of environmental protection in the Asian region.
We also held an active Panel Discussion Session. Through this Forum, we were
able
to recognise that coastal zones are precious assets to the people of Asia although
they are facing serious problems. There have been good practices to address
the problems, placing an importance on science and technology to support policy-makers
and raise people's awareness, the systematic approach of ecological urban planning
in coastal cities, education and cooperation with local communities. It was
also
stressed that the promotion of education and training on integrated coastal
management in Asian countries is essential. An important initiative derived
from the Asian
Forum is the proposal of a Comprehensive Environmental Assessment for the Asian Coastal Zones, which will act as a blueprint to
create positive linkage between scientists and policy-makers, and other stakeholders,
for action. The follow-up activities for the assessment are expected to bridge
the 5th EMECS Conference in Kobe and the 6th EMECS Conference in Thailand, in
2003.
Coordinator Nobuo Mimura
Professor, Center for Water Environment Studies
Ibaraki University, Japan
-Back to EMECS Top-
|
