Korea Holds 2007 NOWPAP ICC Campaign and Workshop

2007 NOWPAP International Coastal Cleanup (ICC) Campaign and Marine Litter Workshop was held in Busan, Korea from September 27 to 29, 2007, and aimed to address problems concerning marine litter in the Northwest Pacific Ocean.

Approximately 100 representatives attended the meeting from member states of the NOWPAP (Northwest Pacific Action Plan) for the Protection, Management and Development of the Marine and Coastal Environment of the Northwest Pacific Region, such as Korea, Japan, China, and Russia, as well as international organizations and NGOs.

At the workshop, Minister of Maritime Affairs and Fisheries Kang, Moo-hyun highlighted the fact that marine debris is not just an issue for some specific nations, but one which requires international cooperation to resolve. Minister Kang also expressed his hope that this workshop would provide an opportunity to strengthen international collaboration between countries.

On September 28, 2007, Jae-Chul Choi, Director General from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade stressed compliance with obligations of nations on the protection of the marine environment and a need for international cooperation through his presentation on ?ooperation for the Marine Environments in the Northwest Pacific Ocean?<Korea Shipping Gazette>