The Action Plan for the Protection, Management and Development of the Marine and Coastal Environment of the Northwest Pacific Region (NOWPAP) and three Resolutions were adopted in September 1994 at the First Intergovernmental Meeting (IGM) by the NOWPAP Members, namely the People’s Republic of China, Japan, the Republic of Korea, and the Russian Federation (hereinafter referred to as China, Japan, Korea and Russia). In order to implement NOWPAP activities related to the development of effective measures for regional cooperation on marine pollution preparedness and response, it was recommended that a regional Forum be created under the NOWPAP framework.