OBJECTIVE(S):

Part 1: Launching of the East Asian Seas Sustainable Business Network

• Overview of PEMSEA’s work with companies on ICM and the new EAS-SBN
• Keynotes: business perspective on sustainable development of coasts and oceans
• Briefing on Blue Economy in East Asia: Introduce policy brief/findings of research on blue economy for business in East Asia

Part 2: Blue Economy Development for Business in East Asia: CEO and Ministerial Dialogue (Private session for CEOs, Ministers and founding members of the EAS SBN)

• Welcome remarks to CEOs and Ministers and key findings of the Blue Economy for Business in East Asia Report
• Response to findings of the report and comments by Ministers
• Response to findings of the report and comments by CEOs
• Moderated dialogue on blue economy between CEOs and Ministers to develop:
• Key actions to be taken by companies and government
• The role of the EAS-SBN in promoting blue economy growth and investment

Part 3: Setting the Agenda for the East Asian Seas Sustainable Business Network (Private session for members of the EAS-SBN)

• Roundtable discussion between founding members of the EAS-SBN
• Develop EAS-SBN Programming for 2016

EXPECTED OUTPUTS:

Part 1:

• Understanding by companies of coastal and marine sustainable development issues and the value of the EAS-SBN
• Inputs/feedback on research on Blue Economy

Part 2:

• CEOs and Ministers introduced
• Inputs on the role of the EAS SBN in promoting blue economy growth and investment
• Key actions to be taken by companies and government

Part 3:

• New members oriented to the EAS-SBN and fellow members
• Draft roadmap for EAS-SBN programming in 2016

KEY MESSAGE(S) OF THE WORKSHOP/SEMINAR/EVENT

• Sustainable development issues have moved from being "nice to have" or CSR-focused concerns to core, strategic considerations for business.
• Today, the East Asian region is the prominent center for commercial ocean activity.
• Companies face issues impacting their ocean and coastal operations including overfishing, loss of natural coastlines, pollution from land- and ocean-based sources, sea level rise and shifting weather patterns, along with increasing levels of public scrutiny and accountability for how they manage these complex issues.
• The blue economy holds the potential for significant new market opportunities and competitive advantage through sustainable development.
• With a 20-year history in the region as the pioneer of integrated coastal management (ICM) and the steward of the regional Sustainable Development Strategy for the Seas of East Asia (SDS-SEA), PEMSEA is uniquely positioned to help companies navigate these issues by facilitating the EAS-SBN.
• The East Asian Seas Sustainable Business Network is an active, influential community of forward-thinking companies and investors focused on building a blue economy in the East Asian Region through the protection, rehabilitation, conservation and sustainable use of oceans and coasts.
• Listen to CEOs and Ministers from the region discuss critical issues in sustaining coastal and ocean resources and the services they provide at the local and national level, while building a blue economy.
• Join other member companies from across ocean- and coast-related industries to launch the East Asian Seas Sustainable Business Network. This exclusive, closed-door session is open to EAS-SBN founding members.
• This workshop will provide background on EAS-SBN membership, benefits and activities. Members will share valuable insights with each other about real, on-the-ground issues and strategies.
• Members will prioritize and set the direction for the network.