Hanoi, Vietnam – PEMSEA has announced the designation of Mr. Raphael P.M. Lotilla as the new Executive Director of the PEMSEA Resource Facility (PRF).

The announcement was made on 9 April by Dr. Chua Thia-Eng, Chair of the East Asian Seas Partnership Council, during a Reception hosted by PEMSEA at the 4th Global Conference on Oceans, Coasts and Islands held in Hanoi, Vietnam, from 7-11 April.

Mr. Lotilla served in the Philippine government as the Secretary of the Department of Energy from 2005 to 2007, where he steered the Department towards the achievement of the government's energy independence and power sector reform agenda. As Undersecretary for the National Economic Development Authority of the Philippines (1996-2004), he chaired the Cabinet Committee on the Law of the Sea, and its successor the Cabinet Committee on Maritime and Ocean Affairs. He also led a multistakeholder process in the formulation of Philippine Agenda 21, and participated in numerous regional activities that sought to promote greater regional cooperation among coastal states. Mr. Lotilla began his career in the academe at the University of the Philippines, and was appointed Professor of Law in 1995.

Prof. Lotilla is expected to assume the PRF Executive Director’s Office in May 2008.