PEMSEA E-UPDATES Vol. IV Issue 06 June 2003
Danang to Employ PPP Approach for Environmental Investments
DANANG, VIETNAM -- The public-private partnership (PPP) approach for
environmental investments will soon be demonstrated in Vietnam with the recent Danang
People's Committee decision to host an Investor's Roundtable on 9 September. The
Roundtable will provide a forum for local and national governments, operating
companies, financial institutions and donor agencies to discuss investment opportunities
for an integrated industrial wastewater and hazardous waste treatment system for Danang.
The proposed project involves the planning, financing, construction and operation of two
waste management facilities designed to handle and properly dispose of industrial and
hazardous waste for Danang City. While the industrial wastewater treatment plant will
cater to the requirements of the industrial locators at the Hoa Khanh Industrial Park, the
hazardous waste facility will serve both the industries and hospitals and other health care
establishments in the city. The facilities will serve to mitigate risks to the environment,
protect human health, attract new investments to the area, facilitate ISO 14001
certification of existing industry and commercial enterprises, and enhance the social and
economic well-being of Danang City.
An initial capital outlay of US$ 6.95 million and US$ 3.05 million is estimated for the
industrial wastewater treatment plant and hazardous waste treatment facility, respectively.
Revenues will be derived from user charges collected from industrial firms and health
service providers eventually using the facilities.
Under the PPP arrangement in Danang City, there will be resource pooling and risk
sharing between the public and private partners. The private sector is expected to bring in
technical know-how and the necessary infusion of capital while the public sector partners
have committed to shoulder 30% of the capital cost, facilitate investment procedures,
develop and enforce relevant City ordinances, manage interjurisdictional issues and
promote cooperation among different levels of government, agencies, and sectors.
Deadline for registration for the Danang City Investors Roundtable is 10 August 2003.
Interested parties can register through PEMSEA's web page at www.pemsea.org.
Representatives of interested operating companies, financial institutions, investor groups
and international organizations are requested to participate in the roundtable. The
Roundtable is being hosted by the People's Committee of Danang City, and co-orgainzed
by PEMSEA, the Danang ICM Project Cordinating Committee, the Danang City
Investment Promotion Center and the Project Management Office for the Danang City
ICM Demonstration Site.
Additional information about the investment opportunity in Danang as well as the other
project sites is available by joining the PEMSEA's Investors
Network at http://way.to/pemseainvestments.
IMO Urges Member States to Establish Partnership Arrangements
LONDON, UNITED KINGDOM -- The International Maritime Organization (IMO) has
urged its member states to establish technical cooperation through more partnership
arrangements.
In a resolution adopted at the IMO Workshop on Partnership Building from 9-10 June,
IMO called for international and regional organizations, nongovernment organizations,
and industry to develop effective partnership arrangements with the organization. At the
same workshop, mechanisms were explored on how existing IMO-related partnership
arrangements could be enhanced for sustainable development. The partnership workshop
was the first conducted by IMO.
In his opening remarks, Mr. William O'Neil, IMO Secretary General, stressed the need to
build partnerships with the industry to continue the efforts of IMO in providing technical
assistance to developing countries. Over 150 delegates from IMO participating countries,
various UN agencies, intergovernmental organizations and nongovernment organizations
attended the two-day workshop.
PEMSEA participated in the workshop and shared its experiences in building
partnerships with the private sector for environmental management. Dr. Chua Thia-Eng,
PEMSEA Regional Programme Director, discussed PEMSEA's partnership experiences,
particularly in mobilizing public-private partnerships in promoting corporate
responsibility, sharing knowledge and expertise, and in developing environmental
investment.
"Sustainable development is a global imperative, and strategic partnerships involving
government, business, industry and civil society represent a potential solution to
developing countries around the world," Dr. Chua said.
PR China and Philippines to Send Top Officials to Ministerial Forum
QUEZON CITY, PHILIPPINES -- Hon. Wang Shuguang, Administrator of the State
Oceanic Administration of PR China, and Hon. Elisea Gozun, Secretary of the Philippine
Department of Environment and Natural Resources, will be representing their respective
countries in the Ministerial Forum on the Sustainable Development of the Seas of East
Asia, scheduled 12 December in Putrajaya, Malaysia. The Ministerial Forum is part of
the East Asian Seas Congress 2003.
The Ministerial Forum provides a venue to discuss the state of the region's environment
and natural resources and to agree on a common framework of actions for the East Asian
Seas. Other concerned ministers from the PEMSEA participating countries are also
expected to attend the forum which will consider the final draft of the Sustainable
Development Strategy for the Seas of East Asia (SDS-SEA) and a declaration of regional
cooperation for adoption.
Aside from the Ministerial Forum, the Congress will also feature the International
Conference on the Sustainable Development of the East Asian Seas: Towards a New Era
of Regional Collaboration and Partnerships. Congress side events will include the 3rd
Forum of the Regional Network of Local Governments (RNLG) Implementing Integrated
Coastal Management, the Media Forum on Partnerships in Environmental
Communication, and the Multidisciplinary Experts Group Meeting.
East Asian Senior Government Officials Meet in Thailand for Sustainable
Development Strategy
PATTAYA, THAILAND -- High-level officials from PEMSEA participating countries
will review the final draft of the Sustainable Development Strategy for the Seas of East
Asia (SDS-SEA), share experiences in national cross-sectoral consultations, and discuss
measures to facilitate national and regional consensus building for the SDS-SEA during
the Senior Government Officials Meeting (SGOM) to be held on 4-5 August. The
Government of Thailand will host the SGOM.
About 40 high-level officials from PEMSEA national focal agencies, concerned
international organizations, and the Regional Programme, are expected to attend the
SGOM. In the past four months, a series of consultations between PEMSEA participating
countries were held regarding the strategy.
The SGOM in Pattaya is organized by PEMSEA to prepare the programme and working
documents for review and endorsement by concerned ministers during the Ministerial
Forum on the Sustainable Development of the Seas of East Asia, which will be held
during the East Asian Seas Congress 2003 in December in Putrajaya, Malaysia (see
related article).
Stakeholders Rehabilitate Mangroves in Port Klang
PORT KLANG, MALAYSIA -- Over 1,000 mangrove seedlings were planted in Teluk
Gong, Port Klang, during a mangrove re-planting program organized by the Selangor
Waters Management Authority, in collaboration with Klang Municipal Council and
Forestry Department on 14 June.
With the theme, "preserve the mangrove forest for a quality environment", the event was
officially launched by Dato' Zakaria Md Derus, Selat Klang Assemblyman. Other guests
included Hj. Rahmat bin Hj Mohd Sharif, Lembaga Urus Air Selangor Director; En
Razani bin Ujang, Selangor Forestry Department Director; and Mrs Habsah bt Muda,
Wildlife Department Director.
About 150 stakeholders participated in the event, including representatives from the
government, nongovernment organizations, private sector, university students, local
residents and primary school children of Teluk Gong -- a fishing village surrounded by
areas undergoing rapid development. Staff from the Project Management Office of
PEMSEA's national integrated coastal management (ICM) demonstration site in Port
Klang also participated.
The activity enhanced the community's awareness on the importance of mangrove forests
to biodiversity, coastal protection, and as a heritage for future generations. The natural
environment of the coastal areas of Klang and Kuala Langat are threatened with pollution
from land and sea-based activities, indiscriminate and improperly planned coastal
development, overfishing and destruction of natural habitats.
In collaboration with local stakeholders, and with PEMSEA support, the State
Government of Selangor is implementing an ICM program in Port Klang focused on
land-sea use planning, sustainable use of coastal and marine resources, environmental
protection, and mitigation of pollution problems.
Several organizations also held environmental awareness exhibits as part of the day's
activity. The exhibitors included the PEMSEA ICM demonstration site in Port Klang,
Forestry Department, Wildlife Department, and the Fishermen Association of Kg
Perajurit.
Industry Showcases Corporate Responsibility for Poverty and Environment
MANILA, PHILIPPINES -- The business sector showcased its various contributions to
addressing social issues such as poverty and environmental degradation during the Fourth
Corporate Social Responsibility Week sponsored by the League of Corporate
Foundations held last 9-11 July.
With the theme "Ka Partner Ka" (We are Partners), the three-day event provided a venue
for 58 business organizations, foundations and government agencies to share their efforts
in assisting local communities to address priority social issues. PEMSEA participated in
the three-day celebration by putting-up an exhibit and information booth. PEMSEA also
shared its experiences in a plenary session on partnerships for the environment, which
presented the Integrated Coastal Management program of the Province of Bataan as an
example of collaborative efforts from different sectors of society in caring for the
environment.
Presenters in the Partners for the Environment plenary included Hon. Elisea G. Gozun,
Department of Environment and Natural Resources Secretary; Mr. Motassim Al-
Ma'ashouq, Petron Corporation President; Hon. Leonardo Roman, Bataan Provincial
Governor; and Dr. Chua Thia-Eng, PEMSEA Regional Programme Director.
In his presentation, Dr. Chua emphasized the need for the involvement of stakeholders in
partnership with government at all levels to plan and implement measures to stop or
reduce environmental threats.
"We need to change the way we used to do things. We tend to leave environmental
problems to the public sector. Experiences all over the world have shown that
governments alone cannot address environmental problems effectively. We need the
involvement of the stakeholders in partnership with the government at all levels, to plan
and implement measures to stop or reduce the threats to our valuable ecosystems, so that
they can continue to generate the goods and services, which we have long enjoyed," Dr.
Chua said.
Selangor Earmarks RM 5 Million for Eco-Tourism Development of Crab Island
PORT KLANG, MALAYSIA -- The Selangor State Government has allocated about RM
5 million (US$ 1.34 million) for development projects aimed at improving the amenities
of Pulau Ketam (Crab Island), as part of the state's effort in developing the island into a
major tourist attraction within the next two to three years. Developing the tourism
potential of the island is part of the State Government's integrated coastal management
(ICM) program, which focuses on the sustainable use of coastal and marine resources.
Top government officials including Datuk Zakari Md. Derus, Klang Assemblyman, P.
Komala Devi, Kapar Member of Parliament, and Datuk Mohd Sharif Yusof, Klang
Municipal Council President visited the island recently.
Datuk Mohd. Shariff Jajang, State Infrastructure, Information and Malay Reserve Land
Committee Chairman said that RM 4 million would fund the ICM project in Pualu Ketam,
focusing on the improvement of the island's water supply system with the building of
new pathways and repairing water distribution lines.
Pulau Ketam is part of PEMSEA's national ICM demonstration project in Klang. The
State Government of Selangor leads the implementation of the ICM project in
collaboration with local stakeholders and with PEMSEA support.
During the visit, Hj. Rahmat bin Hj Mohd Sharif, Lembaga Urus Air Selangor (Luas)
Director, gave a presentation on Pulau Ketam, which focused on the ecosystem
restoration and eco-tourism development. His presentation highlighted the efforts aimed
at attracting tourists to the island, which include the development of areas for fishing,
bird watching, jungle-tracking, and the establishment of a major seafood center.
PEMSEA Assists in Development of Wastewater Management Course
BÜSUM, GERMANY -- PEMSEA shared its experiences in the development of a
training course curriculum and module design on municipal wastewater management
during the 6th Course Developers Workshop held at the Research and Technology Centre
West Coast, University of Kiel in Büsum, Germany from 23 June to 4 July 2003. Ms.
Maricor Ebarvia, PEMSEA Technical Officer, participated in the workshop and shared
PEMSEA's experiences in project development and stakeholder participation.
Ten other resource persons from various UN agencies and the academe participated in the
workshop. The experience of the participants, who are also subject matter experts,
contributed significantly to the development of the training course and modules on
municipal wastewater management. The developed modules will be validated initially in
East Africa.
Employing the Train-X methodology, a common international standard used for training
development, the workshop was organized by the United Nations Environment
Programme Global Programme of Action and hosted by the UN Train-Sea-Coast
Programme and the University of Kiel.
Earlier in April, PEMSEA and UNEP-GPA signed a Memorandum of Understanding for
a collaborative partnership on sharing experiences and knowledge in the sustainable
development of marine and coastal resources and in the governance of regional seas and
oceans. PEMSEA's participation in the Germany workshop is a result of this agreement.
Melasti A Festival of Hope
QUEZON CITY, PHILIPPINES -- PEMSEA has recently produced "Melasti A
Festival of Hope", an 11-minute video that explores the different environmental
challenges surrounding the marine and coastal areas of Bali, and the partnerships
established for the conservation and sustainable use its coastal and marine resources.
The Melasti Festival is a ceremony held several days before the start of the Balinese New
Year to honor the world's waters in recognition of its power. The video offers a unique
glimpse of Balinese life, particularly on its three inseparable threads: faith, culture and
the environment.
The video will be featured during the East Asian Seas Congress 2003, to be held in
Putrajaya, Malaysia on 8-12 December 2003 (see related article).
PEMSEA is also currently working on videos in Chonburi, Thailand and Danang,
Vietnam. The videos will explore how the two sites are contributing to sustainable
development, as stipulated during the World Summit on Sustainable Development using
the integrated coastal management framework and process.
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