Abstract Coastal ecosystems consist of diverse habitats, such as reed beds, salt marshes, mangrove swamps, tidal flats, river deltas, seagrass fields, coral reefs, sandy/rocky-shore beaches and other habitats that harbour biodiversity. The Great East Japan Earthquake of March 2011 caused severe damage to one-third of the fishing communities along the Pacific Ocean of NE Japan. Coastal species, such as seagrasses, function as nursery areas for commercially important species. Coastal ecosystems provide natural infrastructure for the prevention and reduction of hazardous events, a process known as ecosystem-based disaster risk reduction (Eco-DRR). The preparation of topographic and thematic maps of coastal marine environments is essential to establish and visualize the concept of Eco-DRR. Experience gained following the Japanese earthquake, as well as examples from Indonesia and Thailand in the wake of 2004 Indian Ocean tsunami, showed that Eco-DRR is an affordable and sustainable approach. Dissemination of habitat maps should be further promoted as a way to ‘Build Back Better’. To scale up and promote Eco-DRR, scientists must work in a transdisciplinary manner and engage with society by understanding the roles of ecosystems by monitoring and analysing, providing solutions and raising the awareness of community and policy makers, enabling them to better implement Eco-DRR.

Abstract The Coordinating Committee for Geoscience Programmes in East and SE Asia (CCOP) is an intergovernmental geoscience organization based in Bangkok, Thailand. CCOP currently comprises 15 member countries in East and SE Asia; it has provided venues for various geoscientific programmes and activities in the region for over 50 years. At its inception, CCOP conducted work in geological surveys, exploration and technological cooperation in the extraction of off-shore petroleum and mineral resources in the region. In response to the needs of member countries, CCOP projects have become increasingly diverse over time, especially in the areas of groundwater resources, geohazards, global climate change and urban geology. Facing the imminent fourth industrial revolution, CCOP compiles, manages and utilizes large amounts of data collected and accumulated by its member countries, and increasingly focusses on data sharing, education and capacity building. With the vision of becoming a premier intergovernmental Earth science organization in East and SE Asia, CCOP's mission is the application of Earth science to make significant contributions to the economic development and sustainable environmental management of its member countries, enhancing their quality of life. To fulfil this mission, CCOP has developed four strategic foci: (1) outreach; (2) cooperation and partnership; (3) knowledge enhancement and sharing; and (4) data and information. Organization and management of CCOP are governed by a steering committee formed of permanent representatives from the 15 member countries and guided by recommendations from an advisory group comprising representatives from cooperating countries and organizations. The steering committee considers and endorses projects and activities planned and proposed by the technical secretariat, which oversees the management of the organization, implementing all approved plans for the benefit of all member countries as well as cooperating countries and organizations. CCOP has played important roles in providing venues for activities and collaboration on various Earth science topics, including energy and mineral resources, groundwater, geohazards, global climate change, urban geology, geoscience big data, education and outreach. CCOP also publishes regular and special publications describing its activities. In the future, CCOP will encourage non-members in the region to join as official member countries, and will further strengthen its network by conducting joint Earth science research projects with cooperating countries and organizations. CCOP will also pursue sustainability in research by establishing a system to continually nurture new Earth scientists. Furthermore, CCOP will build a cooperative network with geoscience communities in other regions to promote a sustainable Earth.