The 16th PEMSEA Network of Local Governments for Sustainable Coastal Development (PNLG) Executive Committee Meeting was held in Xiamen, East China's Fujian province on April 22, 2025.

Group photo of the 16th PNLG Executive Committee Meeting (Xiamen)

Mr. Wang Yu, Secretary-General of PNLG Secretariat and Director-General of Xiamen Municipal Bureau of Ocean Development, attended the meeting and delivered the opening address.

Mr. Lin Huaiyuan, Executive Deputy Secretary-General of PNLG Secretariat and Level Ⅱ Counsellor of Xiamen Municipal Bureau of Ocean Development, presided over the meeting.

At the meeting, Ms. Aimee Gonzales, Executive Director of PEMSEA Resource Facility, Prof. Hong Huasheng, Chief Scientist of the Coastal and Ocean Management Institute (COMI) of Xiamen University, and Mr. Pan Shijian, Chair Emeritus of the PNLG, expressed their insights on the development of PNLG.

Meeting session of the 16th PNLG Executive Committee Meeting (Xiamen)

Representatives from Jakarta, Indonesia attended the meeting online and relevant personnel from COMI of Xiamen University participated on-site.

The meeting briefed the PNLG Work progress and plan, reviewed and approved the application of new members and the nomination and election plan for PNLG officers, discussed the preparations for the 2025 PNLG Annual Forum, strategies to motivate PNLG members, and the training program to enhance their capacity building based on the Letter of Cooperation between PNLG and PNLC.

In addition, the field trips to Xiamen University's research vessel "Tan Kah Kee" and Xiamen Public Service Center for Marine Economy were organized, allowing the participants to experience the city's achievements in marine scientific research and progress in marine economy.

Field trips (Xiamen)

PNLG Work Results in 2024:

Focused on the implementation of the PNLG Strategic Action Plan (2022-2030), the PNLG Secretariat has witnessed fruitful achievements in 2024:

• Refined PNLG's promotional video, brochures, and other communication materials to facilitate information sharing and experience exchanges among PNLG members.

• Successfully facilitated the admission of Yancheng City in East China's Jiangsu province and Dongying Huanhai Institute of Marine Conservation and Development as new members.

• Conducted the 15th PNLG Executive Committee Meeting.

• Successfully organized the 2024 PNLG Annual Forum in Xiamen, East China's Fujian province. The conference was attended by nearly 100 participants, including PNLG member representatives and renowned experts and scholars in the marine field from eight countries of Cambodia, China, Indonesia, Japan, Philippines, RO Korea, Timor-Leste and Viet Nam.

Group photo of the 2024 PNLG Annual Forum (Xiamen)

PNLG Work Progress in 2025:

In 2025, the PNLG Secretariat remains committed to actively promoting the concept of Integrated Coastal Management (ICM) and successfully facilitated the admission of Central Java province, Indonesia to PNLG. As of now, the PNLG has 60 members, including 55 regular members and 5 associate members, spanning 10 countries in the East Asian Seas region.

• On February 26, 2025, the First Ocean Decade International Coastal Cities Conference was held in Qingdao, Shandong province. As a key participating city, Xiamen officially joined the Cities with the Ocean Platform during the conference. Representing new members, Xiamen delivered a keynote speech that highlighted PNLG and its advocacy for ICM, significantly enhancing PNLG’s visibility and influence.

• To implement the Letter of Cooperation between PNLG and PNLC signed during the 2024 PNLG Annual Forum, the PNLG Secretariat has proactively planned to commission Xiamen University to organize a training program on Integrated Coastal Management this year. During the program, experts and scholars from PNLC will be invited to deliver courses for PNLG members, thereby leveraging the role of higher education institutions and research institutes in providing technological support for the local governments.

• The 2025 PNLG Annual Forum is scheduled to be held in Jakarta province, Indonesia from September 16-18, 2025. The PNLG Secretariat, in collaboration with the PEMSEA Resource Facility, is actively supporting Jakarta Provincial Government in preparatory work, including formulating and discussing the meeting agenda, task allocation, and other related matters.

PNLG Work Plan:

• The PNLG Secretariat will advance the preparation work for the 2025 PNLG Annual Forum to facilitate experience sharing and exchanges among PNLG members, ensuring a successful event and expanding the visibility and influence of PNLG.

• The Secretariat will continue to carry out election of PNLG officers. In accordance with the nomination and election plan, it will complete the solicitation, nomination and confirmation of candidates, ensuring a smooth election.

• It will spare no efforts to promote the concept of Integrated Coastal Management and recruit more new members, facilitating the growth of PNLG.

• The Secretariat will make continuous efforts to improve the training program for Integrated Coastal Management. Knowledge-sharing platforms will be established to promote capacity building of PNLG members and enhance the effectiveness of ICM for sustainable coastal development across the East Asian Seas region.