INTERNATIONAL CORAL REEF INITIATIVE DRAFTS 2009-2010

UNCLAS TOKYO 003242 SIPDIS STATE FOR EAP/J AND OES/ENRC FOR HOLLIS SUMMERS AND KELLY MILTON PASS TO USAID E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: SENV EFIS EWWT PREL JA MX SUBJECT: INTERNATIONAL CORAL REEF INITIATIVE DRAFTS 2009-2010 PROVISIONAL PLAN AT EAST ASIA WORKSHOP ¶1. (U) Summary: The International Coral Reef Initative (ICRI) held its fourth East Asia Regional Workshop in Tokyo November 17-19 and produced a draft provisional plan for 2009-2010 as well as terms of reference for upcoming meetings. The group's goal is to develop short and long-term plans to enhance Marine Protected Areas (MPA) in East Asia and to establish representative MPA networks by 2012. End Summary. ¶2. (U) Sixty-five participants representing ten East Asian governments and twenty-six organizations met in Tokyo November 17-19 for ICRI's fourth East Asia Regional Workshop (EARW),sponsored by Japan's Ministry of Environment. ¶3. (U) Ministry of Environment Vice Minister Yoshino opened the session by renewing Japan's commitment to support healthy marine ecosystems and ICRI's ongoing work. As requested by Washington, Econoff followed with opening remarks on behalf of the ICRI Secretariat. Yoshihiro Natori from United Nations University in Tokyo and Dr. Vo Si Tuan from the Institute of Oceanography in Vietnam co-chaired the workshop. Twelve representatives from organizations that manage MPAs gave presentations that included case studies, assessments of success and failure, and lessons learned at the local, national, and regional levels. Speakers engaged in lively question and answer sessions with attendees, comparing the methodologies, metrics, and tactics used in ICRI members' programs. ¶4. (U) By the last day, members had drafted a provisional plan for 2009-2010 which suggests topics to be developed into short-term (through 2012) and long-term (2013-2020) action plans at the next EARW slated for 2009. The provisional plan calls for hiring a consultant to conduct a regional review and gap analysis of MPA networks and ICRI 2012 goals; Japan offered to provide funding for the consultant. The plan also calls for upgrading the MPA database using ReefBase software and holding a regional workshop for assessment of MPA management effectiveness. The co-chairs will circulate a draft of the provisional plan to workshop participants and the Ad Hoc Committee on the ICRI East Asia Regional Workshop for discussion and revision with a goal of finalizing the document in one month. ¶5. (U) The EARW participants also produced draft terms of reference for future regional workshops to be held in 2009 and 2010. Vietnam offered to host the next EARW at at a time and location to be agreed upon between its government and the ICRI Secretariat. Thailand proposed hosting the 2010 EARW to preceed or follow the 2nd Asia Pacific Coral Reef Symposium, scheduled for May 2010 in Phuket. Japan offered to provide funding for some major costs of the 2009 and 2010 EARWs, though other donors are still being sought. ¶6. (U) The co-chairs will circulate a draft of the terms of reference to workshop participants and the Ad Hoc Committee on the ICRI East Asia Regional Workshop for discussion and finalization. The EARW summary report, the Provisional Plan for 2009-2010, and the terms of reference for 2009-2010 will be submitted to the next ICRI General Meeting in Thailand in April 2009. SCHIEFFER