PHUKET, Thailand—The EEPSEA annual conference was held last 12-14 May, 2014 in Phuket, Thailand. Opening remarks, delivered by EEPSEA Director Dr. Herminia A. Francisco, welcomed 77 participants from 12 countries (Cambodia, Canada, China, Indonesia, Lao PDR, Malaysia, Myanmar, Philippines, Taiwan, Thailand, USA, and Vietnam). Of these, 23 were researchers with on-going EEPSEA projects and 28 researchers were there to present new proposals for possible support by EEPSEA.
This year’s annual conference featured three plenary talks. Dr. Dale Whittington of the University of Manchester’s Business School talked about the 21st century hurdles in water management and sanitation development. His focus was on the importance of overcoming ancient human instincts that serve as hurdles to achieving equitable access to clean water and improved sanitation. Download Presentation (PDF)
Dr. James Anderson, who serves as Advisor for Fisheries, Aquaculture and Oceans of the World Bank’s Global Program for Fisheries (PROFISH), presented on what the next generation of environmental and resource economist should know about aquaculture, fisheries and globalization. He emphasized the urgent need to correct the current course in marine and fishery resource management to include a more holistic perspective, partnership, new data, science and innovation, and a clear understanding of enviro-economic systems. Download Presentation (PDF)
Lastly, Dr. Peter Cutter of WWF – Greater Mekong talked In , a tool that can be used for mapping and valuing environmental services. Download Presentation (PDF)
The EEPSEA annual conference is the focal point of the Program. Aside from the plenary talks, it includes individual consultations between researchers and their advisors and concurrent working group sessions during which research reports and proposals are presented for further comment. It brings together Southeast Asian researchers with eminent Resource Persons in the field of environmental and resource economics. The conference is held yearly in May.