Output

1) 2-Day Workshop

Capacity Building Workshop for Enhancing Ocean Resilience across the APEC Region

(2-Day – Revised Detailed Curriculum, Lead Experts TBC) Venue: Busan, Republic of Korea

Timing: Q2 2026

Participants: Policymakers, technical experts, and researchers from APEC economies

Overall Learning Objectives

Strengthen understanding of climate-driven changes in marine ecosystems and fisheries resources;

Enhance capacity in biological, ecological, and biogeochemical monitoring relevant to ocean resilience;

Improve the ability to translate scientific observations into management and policy responses, contributing to the implementation of the APEC Ocean Resilience Roadmap.

Day 1 – Climate Change Impact on Marine Ecosystems and Fisheries

Morning Session (0900 – 12.30) Understanding Climate-driven Changes in Fisheries Resources and Marine Food Webs

Focus: Mechanisms of change in marine food webs and linkages to fisheries variability

Afternoon Session (14:00 – 17.30): Observing Climate-driven Changes in Phytoplankton and Marine Biogeochemistry

Focus: Physiological and ecological shifts in phytoplankton and integrated bio-chemical interpretation

Day 2 – Biological Responses and Integrated Policy Application

Morning Session (0900 – 12.30): Species-level Responses and Ecosystem Monitoring (Mollusks and Seaweeds)

Focus: Physiological responses of mollusks to stressors and the ecological value of seaweed ecosystems as blue carbon assets

Afternoon Session (14.00 – 17.00): Biodiversity Monitoring and Policy Integration

Focus: Advanced biodiversity monitoring (ARMS, DNA Metabarcoding) and synthesizing monitoring results into resilient ocean policies

Closing: Summary of outcomes and next steps

2) Final Report

The Final Report will serve as an internal project document for submission to the APEC Secretariat and circulation within the OFWG. It will not be published as an APEC Publication.

The report will consolidate the outcomes and findings of the Capacity Building Workshop for Enhancing Ocean Resilience across the APEC Region, including the key lessons learned, and recommendations for future cooperation.

Length and structure: minimum 10 pages, excluding annexes, consisting of the following sections:

- Executive Summary

- Workshop Overview and Agenda Summary

- Key Takeaways and Lessons Learned

- Recommendations for Future Capacity Building

- Annexes (participant list, photos, and agenda)

Outcome

1) Enhanced marine monitoring capacity: This outcome refers to the strengthened technical and institutional ability of participating APEC economies to conduct and interpret marine observations through field monitoring, data analysis, and digital applications. The workshop and follow-up activities will provide hands-on training on marine observation methods (e.g., ARMS, remote sensing, ecosystem mapping), and promote the use of standardized protocols among economies.

2) Institutional integration of marine policies: This outcome focuses on strengthening the internal coordination of marine and fisheries agencies within participating economies, enabling them to integrate scientific monitoring results into domestic marine policy frameworks. By sharing best practices and management models, the project will help connect monitoring outcomes to actionable policy measures.

3) Integration of monitoring practices: This outcome relates to the adoption of standardized or harmonized

monitoring approaches across APEC economies. The project aims to build consensus on shared monitoring indicators and reporting templates that can support the implementation of the APEC Ocean Resilience Roadmap.

Beneficiaries

Primary Beneficiaries: Government officials and policymakers from ministries or agencies responsible for ocean and fisheries management, environmental monitoring, and climate adaptation. Technical experts and researchers from national marine research institutes and universities who will receive hands-on training on marine observation, data management, and ecosystem assessment. APEC OFWG focal points and project collaborators, who will exchange experiences and discuss implementation of the APEC Ocean Resilience Roadmap.

Secondary Beneficiaries: Public agencies and local governments utilizing improved data and policy recommendations for coastal and marine resource management.

Communities and private sector entities (e.g., fisheries, aquaculture, and marine technology industries) that will benefit from more resilient and sustainable marine ecosystems. Regional and international organizations, such as IOC-UNESCO or UNDP, which may use project findings to align with ongoing initiatives on ocean resilience and climate adaptation.