On Tuesday, March 5, 2013, The Government of Sweden through the Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency (Sida) committed SEK 48 million for continued cooperation with the Southeast Asian Fisheries Development Center (SEAFDEC) in support of fisheries and habitat management, climate change and social well-being in Southeast Asia. The Agreement covers five years from 2013 up until the end of 2017.
The aim is that the support will help facilitate the establishments of agreements among countries of the ASEAN and Southeast Asian Region to cooperate on the sustainable use of aquatic resources and reduced vulnerability to climate change by coastal and rural communities in the ASEAN Region.
Actions promoted through the SEAFDEC-Sida cooperation will seek to contribute to enhanced social well-being, including improved working conditions and alternative livelihoods involving both men and women.
The geographical scope targeted is the ASEAN region with a special focus on the four important sub-regions of the Gulf of Thailand, the Andaman Sea, the Sulu-Sulawesi Seas and the Mekong River Basin.
In follow up to social obligations the cooperation will seek to address problems and opportunities of poor co and inland communities who face declining catches and increased competition and conflict over natural resource use and space in coastal and inland waters of Southeast Asia.
“The SEAFDEC-Sida cooperation is playing a crucial role in helping the ASEAN region and target sub-regions to balance aquatic resources utilization, social concerns and environmental sustainability in support of the building of the ASEAN Community by 2015. We, on behalf of our member countries and people in the region dependent on aquatic resources, are delighted over the continued commitment from Sweden to support this important mission”, said Dr. Chumnarn Pongsri, Secretary-General of SEAFDEC.
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