PEMSEA
PEMSEA is a Philippines-based regional intergovernmental coordinating mechanism that facilitates cooperation among 11 East Asian Seas country partners, local governments, and learning centers on sustainable coastal and marine management under the SDS-SEA framework.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded1994
- HeadquartersNew Manila, Philippines
- Headcount11–50
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingServices
What PEMSEA does
PEMSEA (Partnerships in Environmental Management for the Seas of East Asia) is a regional intergovernmental coordinating mechanism headquartered in Quezon City, Philippines, that facilitates cooperation on the sustainable development of seas and coasts across East Asia. Originating as the GEF/UNDP/IMO Regional Programme for the Prevention and Management of Marine Pollution in the East Asian Seas (MPP-EAS) established in 1994, PEMSEA now operates as the PEMSEA Resource Facility (PRF) and convenes 11 country partners, 22 non-country partners, 59 PNLG local government members, and 25 PNLC learning center members under the Sustainable Development Strategy for the Seas of East Asia (SDS-SEA) Implementation Plan 2023-2030. Its core technical offerings are governance frameworks rather than technology products, principally the Integrated Coastal Management (ICM) Code, ICM Cycle methodology, ICM System and Professional Certification, the Regional Blue Carbon Accounting Protocol (RBCAP), the SDS-SEA Implementation Plan, and the State of the Coasts Reporting System. PEMSEA has mainstreamed ICM across 86,284.80 km of coastline, representing 37.9% of the East Asian Seas region's coastline, and runs the triennial East Asian Seas Congress plus project-specific convenings as its principal engagement channels.
PEMSEA's revenue model is grant-funded rather than commercial. Total receipts of USD 4.16 million (2025 audited financial statements) and projected receipts of USD 6.7 million for 2026-2027 are sourced from project implementation funding via GEF and UNDP, bilateral ODA — notably from the Republic of Korea Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries for the Marine Plastics Project (2023-2028) and SEA-MaP — and in-kind contributions from country and non-country partners. Active project portfolio includes the GEF/UNDP/ASEAN Integrated River Basin Management (IRBM) Project, the ATSEA Program, GloFouling Partnerships, the PRICELESS Project (Philippine Rise), ASEANO (ASEAN-Norwegian Cooperation Project on Local Capacity Building), and the SEA-MaP initiative. The organization has 11-50 employees and is led by Executive Director Aimee T. Gonzales, with governance through the Partnership Council (chaired by Atty. Jonas Leones), Executive Committee, Ministerial Forum, and Management and Secretariat.
PEMSEA's go-to-market is event- and convening-driven rather than sales-driven. Distribution is conducted through direct intergovernmental engagement, ministerial forums, the triennial EAS Congress, Executive Committee and Partnership Council meetings, PNLG Forums, PNLC General Assemblies, and project-specific workshops. Marketing and outreach rely on content channels including the SEA Knowledge Bank, monthly eBulletin newsletter, State of Oceans and Coasts reports, social media, and video storytelling. PEMSEA does not sell products or services; publications are distributed for free, and all revenue is grant-based.
PEMSEA firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- PEMSEA
- Legal name
- Partnerships in Environmental Management for the Seas of East Asia
- Website
- https://pemsea.org
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 1994
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 11–50 employees
- Short description
- PEMSEA is a Philippines-based regional intergovernmental coordinating mechanism that facilitates cooperation among 11 East Asian Seas country partners, local governments, and learning centers on sustainable coastal and marine management under the SDS-SEA framework.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Where PEMSEA is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- New Manila
- HQ country
- Philippines
- HQ region
- Asia
Offices1 record
Markets served
PEMSEA business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Others
Revenue model
- Project Implementation Funding: PEMSEA Resource Facility (PRF) receives funding from international donors including GEF, UNDP, and bilateral government partnerships for implementing environmental management projects across the East Asian Seas region. The 2025 audited financial statements show total receipts of USD 4.16 million.
- Bilateral Government Funding Partnerships: Funding from partner governments such as Republic of Korea Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries for specific ODA projects like the Marine Plastics Project and SEA-MaP.
- Network Membership and Participation: PEMSEA facilitates participation from 11 country partners, 22 non-country partners, 59 PNLG local government members, and 25 PNLC learning center members who contribute to regional coordination.
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels1 record
Marketing channels7 records
PEMSEA product offering
Product offeringCore offering
PEMSEA is a regional intergovernmental coordinating mechanism that facilitates cooperation among East Asian Seas countries, local governments, and partners for the sustainable development and management of coastal and marine resources. It delivers integrated coastal management (ICM) frameworks, implements the Sustainable Development Strategy for the Seas of East Asia (SDS-SEA), advances Blue Economy and Blue Carbon initiatives, and provides capacity building, policy advisory, and knowledge management services to governments and partners in the region.
Product overview
PEMSEA is a regional coordinating mechanism for the sustainable development of seas and coasts in East Asia, offering a portfolio of interconnected programs and services. The core offerings include the Integrated Coastal Management (ICM) framework with associated certification programs, the Sustainable Development Strategy for the Seas of East Asia (SDS-SEA) as the regional policy framework, and the SEA Knowledge Bank as the digital knowledge repository. Major initiatives include the Marine Plastics ODA Project, ATSEA Program, Integrated River Basin Management Project, GloFouling Partnerships Project, PRICELESS, ASEANO, and SEA-MaP addressing specific environmental challenges. PEMSEA convenes stakeholders through the triennial East Asian Seas Congress and maintains three networks: the Network of Local Governments (59 members), Network of Learning Centers (25 members), and Network of Young Leaders. The organization also produces State of the Coasts reports and publishes a comprehensive library of technical publications, manuals, and newsletters.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Brands
- PEMSEA Resource Facility (PRF): The administrative and secretariat arm of PEMSEA
- PNLC - PEMSEA Network of Learning Centers
- PNLG - PEMSEA Network of Local Governments
- PNYL - PEMSEA Network of Young Leaders
- EAS Congress
Products and services
- Integrated Coastal Management (ICM) Programs
- Sustainable Development Strategy for the Seas of East Asia (SDS-SEA) Implementation
- Blue Economy and Blue Carbon Programs
- Capacity Building and Training
- State of the Seas (SOS) Reports and Knowledge Products
- Partnership Network of Local Governments (PNLG)
- Partnership Network of Local Centers (PNLC)
Quantifiable outcome
- 37.9% of East Asian Seas region's coastline covered by ICM program, surpassing targets ahead of schedule
- +2 more outcomes
Companies that use PEMSEA
Customer profileNamed customers9 records
Segments5 records
Ideal customer profiles3 records
PEMSEA technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature4 records
PEMSEA partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Ten partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.
- ASEANcoreRegional partner for implementation of IRBM Project across ASEAN Member States. Joint initiatives on integrated river basin management, marine pollution reduction, and sustainable coastal development.
- Country Partners (11)coreNational government partners including Cambodia, PR China, DPR Korea, Indonesia, Japan, Lao PDR, Philippines, RO Korea, Singapore, Timor-Leste, and Viet Nam actively participating in regional marine governance through SDS-SEA implementation.
- Non-Country Partners (22)coreNGOs, research institutions, and development organizations contributing to PEMSEA's work including technical expertise, project implementation support, and knowledge products.
- PEMSEA Network of Local Governments (PNLG) - 59 MemberscoreNetwork of local government units implementing ICM programs and blue economy initiatives at municipal level across the East Asian Seas region.
- PEMSEA Network of Learning Centers (PNLC) - 25 MemberscoreNetwork of academic and research institutions conducting coastal and marine research, training, and knowledge sharing including IPB University, UP Marine Science Institute, and Xiamen University.
- University of Hawai'iminorCo-sponsor of PNLC Blue Carbon Workshops and collaborator on Blue Carbon Initiative for the network. Provides academic expertise on blue carbon research and methodologies.
- DENR PhilippinescoreHost institution for PEMSEA headquarters in Quezon City. Active partner in coastal management, marine protected areas, and Philippine Rise conservation projects.
- IMO (International Maritime Organization)minorHistorical partner from GEF/UNDP/IMO Regional Programme for Prevention and Management of Marine Pollution. Continued collaboration on maritime environmental management.
- Korea Institute of Ocean Science and Technology (KIOST)minorNon-country partner and co-convener of Blue Carbon International Seminar with Korea Maritime Institute for regional expertise sharing.
- ASEAN Centre for BiodiversityminorPartner in ASEAN ENMAPS project for strengthening marine protected area management through ICM and marine spatial planning training.
Scale indicators9 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights4 records
PEMSEA competitors and assessment
Company assessmentMarket position
Weaknesses4 records
Competitive moat4 records
Customer concentration
PEMSEA social profiles
Digital presencePEMSEA financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
PEMSEA leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles2 records
PEMSEA funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
PEMSEA M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about PEMSEA
What does PEMSEA do?
PEMSEA is a regional intergovernmental coordinating mechanism that facilitates cooperation among East Asian Seas countries, local governments, and partners for the sustainable development and management of coastal and marine resources. It delivers integrated coastal management (ICM) frameworks, implements the Sustainable Development Strategy for the Seas of East Asia (SDS-SEA), advances Blue Economy and Blue Carbon initiatives, and provides capacity building, policy advisory, and knowledge management services to governments and partners in the region.
Is PEMSEA a public or private company?
PEMSEA is a private company. It is classified as nonprofit foundation owned and is currently operating.
When was PEMSEA founded?
PEMSEA was founded in 1994. It employs 11 to 50 people.
Where is PEMSEA based?
PEMSEA is headquartered in New Manila, Philippines, in the Asia region.
How does PEMSEA make money?
Three revenue lines are on record. Project Implementation Funding is the primary driver. The others are bilateral Government Funding Partnerships and network Membership and Participation.
Does PEMSEA have an API?
No public API is recorded for PEMSEA.