The Korea Institute of Ocean Science and Technology (KIOST, President Lee Heeseung) announced that Dr. Kwon Seokjae of the Marine Policy Research Center was elected as Chair of the Technical Subcommittee of the Executive Committee at the 17th General Assembly of the Partnerships in Environmental Management for the Seas of East Asia (PEMSEA), held in Manila, Philippines on July 23.
Dr. Seokjae Kwon, KIOST.
The 17th General Assembly of the Partnerships in Environmental Management for the Seas of East Asia (PEMSEA)
PEMSEA, which began in 1994 as a United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) initiative, operates with the goal of protecting marine ecosystems and promoting the sustainable use of marine resources in the East Asian region. The organization has 11 member countries, including Korea, China, Japan, and North Korea. Its secretariat is located in Manila, Philippines.
The term of office for Dr. Kwon Seokjae, who was elected as Chair of the Technical Subcommittee, will be three years, from July 31, 2025, to July 30, 2028. He is expected to play a pivotal role in strengthening international cooperation in the East Asian seas by establishing technical cooperation strategies, providing science-based policy advice, and coordinating joint technical projects in the region.
In addition, he will concurrently serve as Chair of a special working group dedicated to developing a blue carbon measurement, reporting, and verification (MRV) system, establishing a policy certification roadmap, and building ecosystem management mechanisms.
Dr. Kwon Seokjae earned his doctorate in environmental and resource economics from the University of Rhode Island in the United States after graduating from Sungkyunkwan University. As an expert in marine policy, international cooperation, and marine ecological resources, he has served as Executive Director of the National Marine Biodiversity Institute of Korea and as President of the Korean Society of Marine Environment and Safety.
Lee Heeseung, President of KIOST, stated, "The importance of international cooperation for responding to the climate crisis, addressing coastal disasters, and ensuring the sustainable use of marine resources is growing." He added, "The election of Dr. Kwon Seokjae as Chair will strengthen KIOST's international marine leadership and serve as an opportunity for Korea to become a central nation in East Asian marine cooperation."
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