Many countries in the Asia-Pacific region lack the resources necessary to effectively implement and enforce the Multilateral Environmental Agreements (MEAs) to which they are a party. After decades of developing environmental treaties, conventions, protocols, and other MEAs, attention in the Asia-Pacific region is shifting to compliance and enforcement of these instruments. A coherent and effective implementation of ocean-related MEAs is particularly important now - the Asia-Pacific region is considered an area of exceptional marine biodiversity, however, it is also an area where biodiversity is in fast decline.

The WCEL Webinar "Are Multilateral Environmental Agreements effective for ocean conservation in the Asia-Pacific Region?" assessed the status of implementing ocean-related MEAs in the Asia-Pacific region. Specifically, panelists considered the effectiveness and challenges in the implementation of three key MEAs: United Nations Convention for the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS), the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD), and the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC).

The Webinar was co-moderated by WCEL Steering Committee Members Rose-Liza Eisma-Osorio (Professor, University of Cebu School of Law) and Maria-Goreti Muavesi (Senior Environmental Legal Officer, IUCN Oceania Regional Office). The high-level panel included:

• Dr. Transform Aqorau, Designated Solomon Islands Permanent Representative to the United Nations, Examining the Law of the Sea, and Post Law of the Sea Developments for the Pacific Islands: Unfinished Business
• Clement Mulalap, Legal Advisor to the Permanent Mission of the Federated States of Micronesia to the United Nations, The Pacific Islands, the UNFCCC, and the Ocean:  Addressing Silos in International Environmental Law for Ocean Conservation
• Dr. Theresa Mundita Lim, Executive Director, ASEAN Centre for Biodiversity, Ripples and Waves: How Effective is Marine Conservation in the Asia-Pacific under the CBD?

Please visit the WCEL Webinar Series webpage to learn more about upcoming Webinars.