The technical working group meeting of Asia-Europe Meeting (ASEM) Oceans Initiative held last week in Manila has forged a stronger cooperation between Asia and Europe on marine environmental protection and scientific research, said the Philippine Department of Foreign Affairs Saturday.

The Philippines played host to the three-day meeting until Friday to draw up an action plan for the ASEM Oceans Initiative, which is aimed at increasing the protection and preservation of ocean and marine resources in the face of rapid degradation.

Participants discussed the possibility of linking up with other existing regional programs, including United Nations Environment Program, to develop programs and projects on integrated coastal and ocean management.

"They also agreed to continue discussions on ocean governance in future meetings with a view to identifying common experiences and best practices that could serve as a basis for future Asia- Europe cooperation," the foreign department said.

The meeting also acknowledged current initiatives to save the marine environment such as the adoption and implementation of the Sustainable Development Strategy for the Seas of East Asia.

"The participants likewise agreed that marine environmental protection is a much needed response to the global challenge of deteriorating conditions of the world oceans that impact on the socio-economic well-being of Asia and Europe, and that Asia and Europe have a large stake in the conservation and sustainable management of the marine environment and its resources to ensure sustainable use and socio-economic benefits for present and future generations," said the foreign department.

In addition, the participants agreed the need to employ science and technology "to better understand the ocean and its processes", while scientific research is expected to yield "best scientific information" for ocean governance, sustainable environment and use of ocean resources.

Source: Xinhua