Main objectives of the Partnership/Initiative
The overall objective of the partnership initiative is to implement the Sustainable Development Strategy for the Seas of East Asia (SDS-SEA). The objective will be achieved with the accomplishment of the following:
1. Endorsement of the SDS-SEA by national governments;
2. Development and adoption of complementary national coastal and ocean strategies and policies;
3. Formulation and implementation of national action programs, putting national ocean and coastal strategies and policies into operation; and
4. Creation of a sustainable financing mechanism to support the implementation of action programs focusing on transboundary concerns at the sub-regional and regional levels.

The main result of the partnership initiative will be the establishment of a non-convention, partnership arrangement among governments of the East Asian Seas region for the implementation of improved coastal and ocean governance of their shared sea areas and resources.

Governments:
Government of Brunei Darussalam - Government of Brunei
Government of Cambodia - Government of Cambodia
Government of China - Government of China
Government of Democratic People's Republic of Korea - Government of DPR Korea
Government of Indonesia - Government of Indonesia
Government of Japan - Government of Japan
Government of Malaysia - Government of Malaysia
Government of Philippines - Government of Philippines
Government of Republic of Korea - Government of Republic of Korea
Government of Singapore - Government of Singapore
Government of Thailand - Government of Thailand
Government of Viet Nam - Government of Vietnam

Major Groups:
ICLARM (Japan)
Nippon Foundation (Japan)
Ship and Ocean Foundation (Japan)
INTERTANKO (Norway)
Coastal Management Center (CMC) (Philippines)
East Asia Response Limited (EARL) (Singapore)
World Resources Institute (WRI) (United States of America)
various ()

UN System:
Food & Agriculture Organisation (FAO) (Italy)
United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) (Kenya)
International Maritime Organization (IMO) (United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland)
The World Bank (United States of America)
United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) (United States of America)

Other intergovernmental organizations:
Partnership for Environmental Management of Seas East Asia (PEMSEA) (Philippines)
ASEAN (Indonesia)
Asian Development Bank (ADB) (Philippines)
The Global Environment Facility (GEF) (United States of America)