The Global Forum on Oceans,
Coasts, and Islands
Report of Activities, 2005-2007
and Future Directions
www.globaloceans.org
June 2007
GEF/MSP: Fostering a Global Dialogue on Oceans, Coasts, and SIDS,
and on Freshwater-Coastal-Marine Interlinkages
Major Sponsors
Other Supporters
Portugal
Flemish Government, Belgium
Contents
I. INTRODUCTION ............................................................................1
1. The Importance of Oceans, Coasts, and Small Island
Developing States ........................................................................1
2. Brief History of the Global Forum ..............................................2
3. Goals and Objectives of the Global Forum................................5
4. Perspectives on the Global Forum ..............................................5
5. Purpose of this Report ................................................................6
II.
GLOBAL FORUM ACTIVITIES 2001-2007....................................7
1. Advancing the Global Oceans Agenda ......................................7
2. Promoting Integrated Oceans Governance 10
3. Facilitating Consensus on International Issues ......................13
4. Work with Small Island Developing States (SIDS) ..................14
5. Long-term Capacity Building....................................................16
6. Linking the Management of Freshwater and Oceans
and Coasts ..................................................................................19
7. Policy Analyses, Publications, and Information Services ........21
8. Outreach to the Public ..............................................................22
III.
FUTURE DIRECTIONS: ..............................................................24
GLOBAL FORUM ACTIVITIES PLANNED FOR
2007-2009, AND STRATEGIC PLANNING TO 2016
IV.
GLOBAL FORUM ORGANIZATION AND ..................................28
CONTACT INFORMATION
Appendix
Steering Committee, Global Forum on Oceans, ..........................29
Coasts, and Islands
Agenda for 2005-2007
The Global For
The Global Forum on
um on Oceans, Coasts, and Islands
Oceans, Coasts, and Islands
The Global Forum on
I. Introduction
Oceans, Coasts, and
Islands
1. The Importance of Oceans, Coasts,
and Small Island Developing States
Oceans, seas, islands and coastal
Oceans, coasts, and islands represent an integral aspect
of global sustainable development. The oceans--com-
areas form an integrated and
prising 72% of the Earth's surface--provide essential life-
support functions without which life on earth would not
essential component of the Earth's
be possible and support a wide array of activities with sig-
nificant benefits to humankind. Coastal areas are the
ecosystem and are critical for global
home of 50% of the world's population. Forty-four of the
world's nations are small island developing states (SIDS),
food security and for sustaining
which are especially dependent on oceans. Oceans,
economic prosperity and the
coasts, and islands support a wide array of uses with
significant economic and social value. Marine trans-
well-being of many national
portation accounts for 90% of international trade.
Exploitation of coastal and offshore mineral resources
economies, particularly in
provides 25 to 30% of the world's energy supplies and
continues to expand, especially in deeper waters.
developing countries.
Fisheries are important socially and economically, pro-
viding direct and indirect livelihood for 400 million peo-
ple. Marine aquaculture represents a rapidly growing
industry and globally accounts for 30% of the world's
-- 2002 World Summit on Sustainable Development
fish consumption. The travel and tourism industry is the
fastest growing sector of the global economy, especially
Plan of Implementation, Paragraph 30
with regard to coastal and marine areas. Furthermore,
oceans perform functions that are vital to life on earth.
The oceans modulate short- and long-term climate. On
I.
the other hand, they also generate hazards such as
storms, earthquakes, and tsunamis.
The multitude of ocean activities is placing increasing
pressure on the integrity of coastal and marine ecosys-
tems and many oceanic, coastal, and island resources are
threatened through overexploitation. Seventy-five per-
cent of global fisheries are either fully utilized or over uti-
lized. Seventy percent of 126 marine mammal species are
threatened. Fifty percent of the world's mangroves have
been lost and important seagrass habitats are rapidly
being destroyed. Twelve billion tons of ballast water con-
taining at any one time around 10,000 marine species
are shipped around the globe each year, spreading alien
and invasive species. Over the past decade, the frequen-
cy of recorded harmful algal blooms resulting in mass
mortality and morbidity of marine organisms has
increased significantly. Food security for a growing
human population drives the intensification of agricul-
tural production and results in the increased application
of fertilizers, pesticides, and herbicides, resulting in the
1
The Global Forum on Oceans, Coasts, and Islands
degradation of coastal ecosystems. Various reports have
2. Brief History of the Global Forum
highlighted that oceans, coasts, and islands are experienc-
The Global Forum was first mobilized in 2001 to help the
ing severe degradation due to overfishing at sea, over-
world's governments place issues related to oceans, coasts,
development along the coasts, and increasing pollution
and SIDS on the agenda of the 2002 World Summit on
from cities and fields. This situation is reaching a crisis
Sustainable Development (WSSD) in Johannesburg,
state and in many places may lead to significant declines
South Africa (the ten-year review of progress achieved (or
of ocean wildlife and to the irreversible collapse of ocean
lack thereof) in the implementation of the outcomes of
ecosystems.
the 1992 Earth Summit in Rio de Janeiro), and was later
These problems are exacerbated by the effects of climate
formalized at the 2002 World Summit.
change. The 2007 report of the Intergovernmental Panel
In the preparatory process for the WSSD, it became evi-
on Climate Change (IPCC) notes that climate change will
dent that ocean issues were not on the World Summit
have profound effects on ocean ecosystems and coastal
agenda. Hence, the Global Forum was mobilized to hold
populations around the world, especially among the
the first Global Conference on Oceans, Coasts, and
poorest peoples. It is expected that developing nations in
Islands (in December 2001 at UNESCO, Paris) to lay the
Africa (which accounts for less than three percent of glob-
groundwork for the inclusion of an oceans perspective at
al carbon emissions) and in Asia would be most affected
the WSSD by calling attention to the economic and social
and the developed wealthy nations far from the equator
importance of oceans, coasts, and small island developing
least affected. Asia will be particularly vulnerable to the
States and the serious problems besetting these areas.
effects of climate change, especially in major population
These efforts were successful in assisting governments in
centers at low elevations such as Mumbai, Shanghai,
putting oceans on the WSSD agenda. At the World
Jakarta, Tokyo, and Dhaka. The impacts of climate change
Summit on Sustainable Development in September 2002,
on developing nations, especially SIDS, will be significant;
Government delegates agreed on an action plan for
the implications of these effects range from changes in
oceans, coasts, and islands, with specific targets and
ocean chemistry and forecasted sea level rise to impacts
timetables for action, to address the problems and threats
on ecosystems and human health. The need to address
to sustainable development noted above. The ocean tar-
these issues in the oceans community is a vital first step
gets and timetables found in the Johannesburg Plan of
in combating potentially severe effects of climate change
Implementation (see Box 1) represent an important
focusing especially on the developing world and SIDS.
advance because there is now a global consensus reached
The pressing issues affecting oceans, coasts, and SIDS call
at the highest political levels that there is an urgent need
for the mobilization of a broad coalition of interests from
to take specific actions to achieve the sustainable develop-
developed and developing countries and including all the
ment of oceans, coasts, and of small island developing
relevant actors: governments, UN agencies and other
States.
international organizations, nongovernmental organiza-
The Global Forum is a response to perceived needs for fos-
tions, the private sector, and scientific groups. No one can
tering cross-sectoral dialogue on ocean issues among gov-
solve these problems alone. A coming together of all parts
ernments, NGOs, international organizations, and the
of the international community is urgently needed.
2
The Global Forum on Oceans, Coasts, and Islands
BOX 1.
WSSD Ocean Targets and Timetables*
Integrated ocean and coastal management
Protection from marine pollution and mar-
Encourage the application of the ecosystem
itime safety
approach by 2010 for the sustainable development
Advance implementation of the Global Programme
of the oceans, particularly in the management of
of Action for the Protection of the Marine
fisheries and the conservation of biodiversity
Environment from Land-based Activities in the peri-
Establish an effective, transparent and regular inter-
od 2002-2006 with a view to achieve substantial
agency coordination mechanism on ocean and
progress by 2006
coastal issues within the United Nations system
Enhance maritime safety and protection of the
Promote integrated coastal and ocean management
marine environment:
at the national level and encourage and assist coun-
a) Ratify, accede to and implement IMO instruments
tries in developing ocean policies and mechanisms
b) Accelerate the development of measures to
on integrated coastal management
address invasive species in ballast waters
Assist developing countries in coordinating policies
Science and observation
and programs at the regional and sub-regional levels
Improve scientific understanding and assessment of
aimed at conservation and sustainable management
the marine environment
of fishery resources and implement integrated
coastal area management plans, including through
Establish a regular process under the United Nations
the development of infrastructure
for global reporting and assessment of the state of
Fisheries
the marine environment, including socioeconomic
aspects, by 2004
Implement the FAO International Plan of Action to
Small island developing States
Prevent, Deter and Eliminate Illegal, Unreported,
and Unregulated Fishing by 2004
Follow-up on the implementation of the results of
the Mauritius 2005 review of the Barbados
Implement the FAO International Plan of Action for
Programme of Action
the Management of Fishing Capacity by 2005
Water Resources Management
Maintain or restore depleted fish stocks to levels that
can produce their maximum sustainable yield on an
Development of integrated water resources manage-
urgent basis and where possible no later than 2015
ment (IWRM) plans by 2005
Eliminate subsidies that contribute to illegal, unre-
ported, and unregulated fishing and to overcapacity
*United Nations. 2002. Johannesburg Plan of
Conservation of biodiversity
Implementation of the World Summit on Sustainable
Development
To achieve by 2010 a significant reduction of the
current rate of biodiversity loss at the global, region-
al and national level as a contribution to poverty
alleviation and to the benefit of all life on earth
Develop and facilitate the use of diverse approaches
and tools, including the ecosystem approach, the
elimination of destructive fishing practices, the
establishment of marine protected areas consistent
with international law and based on scientific infor-
mation, including representative networks by 2012
3
The Global Forum on Oceans, Coasts, and Islands
BOX 2.
Major Ocean and Coastal Needs
Addressed by the Global Forum
Promotion of cross-sectoral dialogue on ocean and
coastal issues. Existing fora related to oceans are large-
ly sectoral in nature. The Global Forum addresses
oceans, coasts, and islands issues in a cross-sectoral and
comprehensive manner, examining the interrelation-
ship among issues, as emphasized in both the Law of
the Sea, the 1992 Earth Summit, and the 2002 World
Summit on Sustainable Development.
Promotion of dialogue among governments, NGOs,
international organizations, the private sector, and sci-
entific groups building consensus on how to address
private and scientific sectors; constant advocacy for oceans
international ocean issues. Existing fora are either inter-
at the highest political levels; and the imperative of taking
governmental or dominated by private sector, NGO
an ecosystem-based and integrated approach to oceans
interests, or scientific groups. The Global Forum pro-
governance at national, regional, and global levels, includ-
vides a mechanism where participants from nongovern-
ing treating the water system--from freshwater, to coasts,
mental organizations, governments, intergovernmental
to oceans--as the interlinked system that it is. See Box 2.
and international organizations, the private sector, and
Since 2001, the Global Forum has brought together ocean
scientific groups can interact together, share informa-
leaders from governments, non-governmental organiza-
tion, draw lessons from existing practice, consider
tions, international and intergovernmental organizations,
emerging issues, and engage in dialogue in relatively
the private sector, and scientific associations from 93 coun-
equal numbers and on equal terms on potential solu-
tries (Figure 1 is a map showing Global Forum participants,
tions to problems.
Steering Committee members and collaborators); organ-
Oceans advocacy at the highest political levels. Ocean,
ized three Global Conferences (in 2001, 2003, and 2006 at
coastal, and island issues can become lost amongst
UNESCO in Paris); organized the Ocean Policy Summit in
complex international agendas. Members of the Global
Lisbon in 2005 documenting experiences with integrated
Forum serve as advocates for inclusion of oceans,
oceans governance in over 20 countries and 4 regions
coasts, and islands issues in important global and
around the world; prepared analyses on the implementa-
regional negotiations on sustainable development.
tion of the WSSD ocean targets, on ocean issues in island
states for the 2005 Mauritius International Meeting on
Linking freshwater and ocean concerns. Discussions of
Small Island Developing States, and on capacity develop-
freshwater management and oceans management typi-
ment needs in ocean and coastal management in eight
cally take place separately in different fora. The Global
world regions; and provided a series of Internet informa-
Forum aims to bridge these separate yet intrinsically
tion services, including periodic newsletters. The work of
linked issues.
the Global Forum is directed by a Steering Committee of
more than 80 members, and run by a small Secretariat, the
International Coastal and Ocean Organization, an interna-
tional NGO accredited to the UN Economic and Social
Council (discussed in section IV of this report).
4
The Global Forum on Oceans, Coasts, and Islands
3. Goals and Objectives of the Global
· Foster a mutually-supportive global network of ocean
Forum
policy leaders with the capacity to implement inte-
grated oceans management;
The major goals of the Global Forum
· Raise the international profile of oceans, coasts, and
are to:
SIDS in relevant global, regional, and sub-regional
fora;
· Advance the global oceans agenda by:
· Mobilize public awareness on global issues related to
1) promoting the implementation of international
oceans, coasts, and islands, and promote information
agreements related to oceans, coasts, and small
sharing and dissemination.
island developing States (SIDS), especially the goals
emanating from the 2002 WSSD;
4. Perspectives on the Global Forum
2) analyzing emerging issues such as improving the
Noted actors in the marine policy field have underscored
governance regime for ocean areas beyond national
the importance of the availability of an informal process
jurisdiction; and
that can bring together all relevant perspectives to
3) promoting international consensus-building on
advance the global oceans agenda. For example:
unresolved ocean issues;
The Global Forum was born at Johannesburg to address the
· Work as a catalyst to mobilize knowledge, resources,
interdependent issues of oceans, coasts, and islands. Since its
and organizational action to advance the global
inception we have witnessed a remarkable change in the atti-
oceans agenda and to promote integrated oceans
tude and engagement of the international community. The
management;
Global Forum had spurred and focused the attention of policy
makers in a very short time and the impact of the Forum was
June 2007
5
The Global Forum on Oceans, Coasts, and Islands
soon felt at the very centre of multilateral diplomacy and
decision making i.e. the General Assembly of the United
BOX 3. Sources of Global Forum
Nations and its Subsidiary bodies.
Support, 2005-2007
-- Awni Behnam, President, International
Ocean Institute, June 13, 2006
Global Environment Facility MSP project:
Global Environment Facility
In my experience every formal, multi-lateral negotiating
Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission
process needs an informal process which feeds into it, and
UNEP Global Programme of Action for the Protection of the
where ideas can be taken forward in a less formal way.
Marine Environment from Land-based Activities
That seems to me to be perhaps the key role for the Global
U.S. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
Forum as the years go by.
Department of Fisheries and Oceans, Canada
Pacific Islands Applied Geoscience Commission (SOPAC)
-- John Richardson, European Commission,
IOC Sub-Commission for the Caribbean and
June 17, 2006, New York
Adjacent Regions (IOCARIBE)
Partnerships in Environmental Management for the
Seas of East Asia (PEMSEA)
The Global Forum assists, encourages, and facilitates ongo-
New Partnership for Africa's Development/Coastal and Marine
ing discussions on very important and sensitive ocean
Coordination Unit (NEPAD/COSMAR)
issues, so that eventually we will achieve better manage-
Centro de Ecología, Pesquerías y Oceanografía del Golfo
ment for the ocean. In this process, the Global Forum plays
de Mexico, Mexico (EPOMEX)
a very important role because it is a Forum where various
Secretaría de Medio Ambiente y Recursos Naturales
stakeholders can discuss issues and exchange views without
(SEMARNAT), Mexico
being bound by some formalities. It's an open discussion
Consejo Consultivo del Agua (CCA), Mexico
that facilitates and helps everyone. The Global Forum serves
GEF International Waters Learning, Exchange and
as an excellent platform at which you can have industry,
Resource Network Program (IW:LEARN)
civil society, and member States exchanging views in a very
The Nippon Foundation, Japan
informal atmosphere. This provides for a comprehensive
Portuguese Committee for Intergovernmental
approach, a cross-sectoral approach, and this is a new trend.
Oceanographic Commission
The Global Forum should strengthen this approach.
The Nature Conservancy
International Coastal and Ocean Organization
--Vladimir Golitsyn, former Director,
World Ocean Network
UN-DOALOS, June 17, 2006, New York
Additional Partners/Support Generated by the GEF/MSP
General Directorate for Nature Protection, Ministry for the
5. Purpose of this Report
Environment and Territory, Italy
Flemish Government and Flemish Minister for Economy,
This report provides an overview of the activities of
Enterprise, Science, Innovation and Foreign Trade, Belgium
the Global Forum since its inception in 2001 focusing
United Nations Educational, Scientific and
especially on accomplishments under the Global
Cultural Organization (UNESCO)
Environment Facility project on Fostering a Global
Port Authority of Lisbon
Dialogue on Oceans, Coasts, and Small Island Developing
Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Portugal
States (SIDS), and on Freshwater-Coastal-Marine
Luso-American Development Foundation (FLAD)
Interlinkages (GEF/MSP) (September 2005-September
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
2007). This is a Medium-sized Project funded by the
Coastal Services Center (NOAA CSC)
Global Environment Facility (GEF) with the UN
Secretary of State for Maritime Affairs, Portugal
Environment Programme as the Implementing Agency,
Oceanário de Lisboa
the Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission as
Associação Industrial Portuguesa
the Executing Agency, and the International Coastal and
Banco Espiritu Santo
Ocean Organization (the Global Forum Secretariat)
Fundação Calouste Gulbenkian
as the Co-Executing Agency. Collaborating partners
Fundação Oriente
providing financial and/or in-kind support for
this GEF/MSP project, as well as additional funding sup-
The support of the organizations noted above is acknowledged
port received generated by the GEF/MSP project are list-
with sincere thanks.
ed in Box 3.
6
The Global Forum on Oceans, Coasts, and Islands
The project aims to foster a global South-to-South and
declines during this period and was threatened. Similarly,
South-to-North dialogue on oceans through the Global
poverty continued unabated in coastal communities in the
Forum on Oceans, Coasts, and Islands, focusing especially
developing world. The conference noted that ICM pro-
on the implementation of the WSSD targets and timetables
grams must fully incorporate poverty reduction goals and
related to oceans, coasts, and SIDS.
address issues of public health in coastal areas (e.g., 90% of
This report also includes activities of the Global Forum to
sewage in the developing world is untreated posing serious
be undertaken in 2008-2009 well as strategic planning
health risks).
activities to 2016.
Box 4. 2001 Conference Reports
II. GLOBAL FORUM
The outcomes of the 2001 conference were reported in
ACTIVITIES 2001-2007
four volumes:
· Co-Chairs' Report, Ensuring the Sustainable
1. Advancing the Global Oceans
Development of Oceans and Coasts: A Call to
Action
Agenda
http://globaloceans.org/globalconferences/2001/pdf/Co
2001-2005:
chairsReport.pdf
· Concluding Statement by the Conference Co-Chairs
Global Conference on Oceans and Coasts at
Rio+10: Toward the 2002 World Summit on
http://globaloceans.org/globalconferences/2001/pdf/Cl
Sustainable Development, Johannesburg
osingStatement.pdf
December 3-7, 2001, UNESCO, Paris
· Ministerial Perspectives on Oceans and Coasts at
Rio+10
The Global Forum organized the first global conference on
http://globaloceans.org/globalconferences/2001/pdf/Mi
oceans and coasts with a focus on Oceans and Coasts at
nisterialPerspectives.pdf
Rio+10: Toward the 2002 World Summit on Sustainable
Development, Johannesburg (at UNESCO headquarters in
· Reports of the Conference Working Groups
Paris on December 3-7, 2001). Convened nearly ten years
http://globaloceans.org/globalconferences/2001/pdf/Re
after the 1992 United Nations Conference on Environment
portoftheWorkingGroups.pdf
and Development (UNCED) in Rio de Janeiro, the Global
Conference assessed the status of oceans and coasts and
progress achieved over the previous decade, identifying
continuing and new challenges, and laying the ground-
work for the inclusion of an oceans agenda at the 2002
World Summit on Sustainable Development (WSSD).
The 2001 conference involved 424 participants from 61
countries, with leading experts from governments, United
Nations agencies and other intergovernmental organiza-
tions, nongovernmental organizations, and the private
sector.
The conference found that significant progress had indeed
been made in ocean and coastal management (ICM) since
the 1992 Earth Summit, especially in terms of: the adop-
tion and implementation of a number of major interna-
tional ocean agreements; new funding initiatives in ocean
and coastal management; many new initiatives in ICM by
governments at national and local levels; and significant
progress in the development of knowledge, data, and
information systems on oceans and coasts. However, the
"on-the-ground" condition of marine resources (including
fisheries, marine mammals, coral reefs) experienced
7
The Global Forum on Oceans, Coasts, and Islands
The conference noted that "we are in a critical situation of
Sustainable Development on Oceans, Coasts, and Small Island
declining trends that requires immediate actions by
Developing States, held on December 10-14, 2003 at
nations and by governing bodies worldwide.......It is
UNESCO, Paris to spur rapid initial implementation of the
essential that we link economic development, social wel-
WSSD oceans commitments. The Conference involved
fare, and resource conservation in order to achieve sustain-
223 participants from 48 countries, representing intergov-
ability of oceans and coasts." The conference issued an
ernmental organizations, government organizations, aca-
urgent Call to Action to decisionmakers in the WSSD
demic and research institutions, non-government organi-
process to develop a detailed action plan for the sustain-
zations, and private sector organizations and individuals.
able development of the world's oceans and coasts.
The conference reviewed what had been done to date in
The 2001 conference is perceived as having been catalytic
implementing the WSSD commitments and to catalyze
in placing ocean, coastal, and island issues on the WSSD
action on WSSD implementation through collaboration
agenda which resulted in the adoption of an extensive set
among governments,
of global targets and timetables related to oceans, coasts,
international organiza-
and small island states (See Box 1), as the following com-
tions, non-governmental
ments suggest:
organizations, and the
private sector. The con-
The persistent efforts of all interested groups, beginning with
ference focused attention
the Global Conference on Oceans and Coasts at Rio+10, per-
on early successful efforts
suaded the preparatory meetings for the Johannesburg
to put into effect several
Conference that not only was UNCLOS not the end of the
of the WSSD goals with
road, but also that many of the commitments of the UNCED
the intent of adaptation
at Rio remained unfulfilled.
and replication. The con-
ference report reviewed
UN Secretary General's report on
in some detail progress
Oceans and the Law of the Sea
achieved (or lack thereof)
(March 3, 2003, A/58/65, p.7):
on each of the WSSD
ocean goals up to May 2004 (the publication date for the
The Global Conference in 2001 was one of the most informa-
report) pointing out areas of good early success as well as
tive and important international events and really shaped
areas where little action had taken place.
what happened at the World Summit on Sustainable
The conference was useful in spurring the process of WSSD
Development in a positive way. The Conference was very valu-
implementation. This meeting proved especially impor-
able in placing ocean, coastal, and SIDS issues on the global
tant because the UN Commission on Sustainable
agenda, and it produced so much important information that
Development is not scheduled to examine progress on the
the international community kept using the information gener-
oceans and coasts targets of the WSSD until 2014.
ated for a least a year.
--Phil Burgess, former Co-Chair,
Box 5. 2003 Conference Report
UN Open-ended Informal Consultative
Process on Oceans and the Law of the Sea,
Mobilizing for Implementation
June 13, 2006, New York City
of the Commitments Made at
the 2002 World Summit on
Global Conference on Oceans, Coasts, and
Sustainable Development on
Islands: Mobilizing for Implementation of
Oceans, Coasts, and Small
the Commitments Made at the 2002 World
Island Developing States, Co-
Summit on Sustainable Development on
Chairs' Report of the 2003
Oceans, Coasts, and Small Island Developing
Global Conference on Oceans,
States
Coasts, and Islands, UNESCO,
December 10-14, 2003, UNESCO, Paris, France
Paris, November 12-14, 2003,
Following the WSSD, the Global Forum organized the sec-
and Subsequent Developments
ond international conference, the Global Conference on
(May 2004), (http://globaloceans.org/globalconfer-
Oceans, Coasts, and Islands: Mobilizing for Implementation of
ences/2003/pdf/2004WSSDImplementationReport.pdf).
the Commitments Made at the 2002 World Summit on
8
The Global Forum on Oceans, Coasts, and Islands
2005-2007 (GEF/MSP):
versity, integrated water resources management, and UN
coherence, one must conclude that some very tangible
Third Global Conference on Oceans, Coasts,
progress is being made, often with specific efforts under-
and Islands: Moving the Global Oceans
way in a growing number of countries.
Agenda Forward
January 23-28, 2006, UNESCO, Paris, France
In other areas such as fisheries and global marine assess-
ment, the progress has been slower, but especially in fish-
The Third Global Conference on Oceans, Coasts, and Islands:
eries, the groundwork seems to have been established for
Moving the Global Oceans Agenda Forward, organized by the
enhanced progress in the next phase. On small island
Global Forum on Oceans, Coasts, and Islands, was held on
developing states and oceans, while the 2005 Mauritius
January 23-28, 2006 at UNESCO headquarters in Paris,
International Strategy has been adopted, its implementa-
France. The Conference included 403 participants from 78
tion is in doubt if financial resources and institutional
countries, with 38 ministers and high level government
capacity are not enhanced. As the custodians of large areas
representatives in attendance. The Conference brought
of the world's oceans, SIDS need assistance and collabora-
together key national level officials, regional organizations,
tion from the international community to enhance their
UN agencies, donors, industry, non-governmental organi-
capacity to delimit, manage, and enforce these areas. The
zations, and scientists to assess progress achieved and
least progress appears to be taking place in meeting the
obstacles faced in the implementation of international tar-
MDGs. In this regard, it is imperative that, increasingly,
gets on oceans, coasts, and small island developing states
ocean and coastal management programs address poverty
(SIDS), especially those related to the 2002 World Summit
reduction as central goals. It is imperative, as well, that the
on Sustainable Development (WSSD), the Millennium
welfare of coastal populations--their health, food security,
Development Goals (MDGs), and other related agree-
quality of life, and the benefits they derive from the coastal
ments.
and marine resources they own be periodically measured
The conference and the ensuing report, Meeting Global
to assess the extent to which any of the MDG and WSSD
Commitments on Oceans, Coasts, Freshwater, and Small Island
goals are making the needed difference on the ground.
States: How Well Are We Doing? reviewed the available infor-
With regard to the next phase of further evolution in
mation and provided a bottom line of progress achieved so
implementation of the WSSD and MDG goals, it is impor-
far--a "report card"-- on each of the WSSD and MDG
tant, as well, to establish for each WSSD/MDG goal inter-
ocean-related goals. The report underlined the difficulties
mediate and readily measurable targets and timetables at
involved in assessing progress, especially the lack of evalu-
the national level, as some countries such as the United
ation frameworks, including indicators; the fact that no
Kingdom have done. The issue of coordinating the local
one institution has been charged with collecting, on a peri-
implementation of various international mandates should
odic basis, national and international data on the entire
also be addressed. With the WSSD and MDG mandates,
range of issues related to oceans, especially regarding the
nations are being asked to implement a variety of pro-
cross-cutting goals (e.g., ecosystem management and inte-
grams related to the ocean, coastal, and freshwater envi-
grated ocean and coastal management); the lack of regular
ronments-- integrated coastal and ocean management,
collection and assessment of information on the social and
ecosystem-management, integrated water resources man-
economic well-being of coastal communities; and the
agement, GPA and control of land-based activities, biodi-
absence of linkage among the WSSD/MDG goals which are
versity protection and networks of marine protected areas.
related to one another.
On the-ground, these efforts, address similar issues and
Generally, participants at the Global Conference agreed
cover, to some extent, similar areas. As further implemen-
that progress toward implementation of the global oceans
tation of these efforts gets underway, it will be important
targets has been slow, but that there are many promising
to assist nations in rationalizing and bringing synergy
developments. In some areas, such as integrated coastal
among these efforts.
and ocean management, GPA, protection of marine biodi-
9
The Global Forum on Oceans, Coasts, and Islands
Box 6. 2006 Global Conference Reports
protect biodiversity and vulnerable resources and ecosys-
tems, and to coordinate the actions of the many govern-
The outcomes of the
ment agencies that are typically involved in oceans affairs.
conference are reported in
This is a very encouraging development, responding, as it
two volumes:
does, to the reality of serious conflicts of use in most
1) Meeting the Commit-
national ocean zones and to the prescriptions articulated
ments on Oceans, Coasts,
in both the Law of the Sea and in the 1992 Earth Summit
and Small Island Devel-
(given the interrelationship among uses and processes in
oping States Made at the
the coast and ocean, ocean and coastal governance must
2002 World Summit on
be "integrated in content and precautionary and antici-
Sustainable Development:
patory in ambit").
How Well Are We Doing? Co-
As they develop integrated and ecosystem-based nation-
Chairs' Report Volume 1,
al ocean policies, national authorities are often plowing
presents a summary of avail-
new ground, in terms of the principles that apply in EEZs:
able information on progress
http://www.globalo-
management approaches: means of ensuring interagency
made (or lack thereof) and
ceans.org/globalconfer-
and intergovernmental coordination; approaches to
obstacles faced in the imple-
ences/2006/pdf/WSSDRep
regional marine planning and governance; means of sus-
mentation of the ocean,
ort_100406d.pdf
tainable financing. It is thus useful for national authori-
coasts, and SIDS targets of
ties from various countries to come together to compare
the WSSD and MDG, and
approaches, draw lessons from existing practice and
other related agreements.
assess their possible suitability in other contexts, and
2) Reports from the Third
begin to develop international guidance on emerging
Global Conference on
best practices in the development and implementation of
Oceans, Coasts, and Islands:
national and regional ocean policies, and to encourage
Moving the Global Oceans
further dissemination of ecosystem-based integrated
Agenda Forward, Co-Chairs'
approaches to oceans.
Report Volume 2, provides
the highlights of the Global
2001-2005:
Conference and summaries
In 2001, the Global Forum assessed progress achieved on
of discussions related to the
oceans, coasts, and SIDS since the 1992 Earth Summit,
attainment of major WSSD
focusing especially on the implementation of the pre-
and MDG ocean goals.
http://www.global
scriptions contained in Chapter 17 (the oceans, coasts,
oceans.org/globalconfer-
The two-volume conference
and SIDS chapter of Agenda 21) which emphasize inte-
ences/2006/pdf/ParisConf
report were presented dur-
erenceReportsFINAL.pdf
grated management of oceans and coasts. At the Global
ing the 7th Meeting of the
Conference on Oceans and Coasts at Rio+10: Toward the
United Nations Open-ended Informal Consultative
2002 World Summit on Sustainable Development,
Process on Oceans and the Law of the Sea in June 2006.
Johannesburg, December 3-7, 2001, UNESCO, Paris, work-
ing group discussions emphasized the need to build
capacity for integrated coastal and ocean management in
2. Promoting Integrated Oceans
order for actual implementation to take place. In the
Governance
2002 Johannesburg World Summit on Sustainable
Development, integrated ocean and coastal management
While most coastal nations of the world already have a
was featured prominently as was the allied concept of
variety of sectoral policies in place to manage different
ecosystem-based management (see wording in Box 1.
uses of the ocean (such as shipping, fishing, and oil and
gas development), it has only been in the last decade that
Following the WSSD, the Global Forum has carried out a
coastal nations have undertaken concerted efforts to artic-
number of activities to help achieve the WSSD targets of
ulate and implement an integrated vision for the gover-
achieving integrated ocean and coastal management and
nance of ocean areas in their 200-mile Exclusive
ecosystem-based management.
Economic Zones (EEZs)--to harmonize existing uses and
laws, to foster sustainable development of ocean areas, to
10
The Global Forum on Oceans, Coasts, and Islands
2005-2007 (GEF/MSP):
Book on Integrated Ocean Policy
TOPS 2005: The Ocean Policy Summit
A book on Integrated Regional and National Ocean Policies:
October 10-14, 2005, Lisbon, Portugal
Comparative Practices and Future Prospects, resulting from
As part of the GEF-MSP, and with the support of the
the work reported at TOPS 2005: The Ocean Policy
Nippon Foundation and other partners, the Global
Summit will be published by the United Nations
Forum organized the TOPS 2005: The Ocean Policy
University Press. The book, which brings together the
Summit International Conference on Integrated Ocean Policy:
experiences of 18 countries and 4 regions in integrated
National and Regional Experiences, Prospects, and Emerging
ocean policy, includes 23 chapters authored by 53 authors
Practices held on October 10-14, 2005, in Lisbon,
(see Box 3).
Portugal, to present and analyze the experiences of 20+
nations and 4 regions of the world that have taken con-
crete steps toward cross-cutting and integrated policy
(cross-national study undertaken by the Nippon
Foundation Research Task Force on National Ocean
Policies). The conference also presented other work on
integrated national and regional ocean policies, such as
work undertaken by the Asia-Pacific Economic
Cooperation (APEC), the UNEP Regional Seas
Programme, Large Marine Ecosystems supported by the
Global Environment Facility; and other regional experi-
ences. The conference drew lessons from the comparative
analyses and began to develop international guidance on
best practices.
The conference brought together 218 participants from
In bringing together key national level officials, regional
governments, regional organizations, UN agencies, acade-
organizations, UN agencies, scholars specializing in national
mia, non-governmental organizations, donor agencies,
ocean policy, donors, nongovernmental organizations, and
and industry representatives, representing 53 countries.
industry to examine the growing experience around the
Through conference working groups, international guid-
world with the formulation and implementation of integrated
ance on emerging best practices in the development and
ocean policies at national and regional levels, the Global
implementation of national/regional ocean policies was
Forum was able to produce important work from which we
drawn from the experiences reported, and subsequently
were able to draw lessons and suggest emerging best practices
featured during a one-day Ocean Strategy Workshop for
for the development of the national ocean policy of Mexico.
decision makers on ocean policy development and imple-
-- Antonio Diaz de Leon, Director-General,
mentation, with a special emphasis on decision makers
Environmental, Regional Integration and
from small island developing States, developing coun-
Sectoral Policy, Environment and Natural
tries, and countries with economies in transition.
Resources Ministry (SEMARNAT), Mexico
The work that the Global Forum completed on comparative
national and regional ocean policies, funded by the Nippon
Foundation and the Global Environment Facility as partners,
was very useful in our effort in Japan in drafting and achiev-
ing enactment of the Japanese Basic Ocean Law.
-- Hiroshi Terashima, Executive Director,
Ocean Policy Research Foundation, Japan
11
The Global Forum on Oceans, Coasts, and Islands
BOX 7. Book on
Chapter 9. Evolution of National Ocean Policy
in India
INTEGRATED NATIONAL
Harsh K. Gupta, Former Secretary to the Government
AND REGIONAL OCEAN POLICIES:
of India, Department of Ocean Development
COMPARATIVE PRACTICES AND
FUTURE PROSPECTS
Chapter 10. Towards an Integrated Policy for
the Ocean in Portugal
Biliana Cicin-Sain, David VanderZwaag, and
Mario Ruivo, Intersectorial Oceanographic Commission,
Miriam C. Balgos, Editors
Ministry of Science, Technology and Higher Education;
Contents
Tiago Pitta e Cunha, Cabinet of the Commissioner for
Fisheries and Maritime Affairs, European Commission;
Foreword
Francisca Menezes-Ferreira, Intersectorial Oceanographic
INTRODUCTION
Commission and Ministry of Science, Technology and
Chapter 1. Introduction
Higher Education, Portugal
Biliana Cicin-Sain, Gerard J. Mangone Center for Marine
Chapter 11. Norway's Marine Policy:
Policy, University of Delaware; David VanderZwaag,
Towards Comprehensive Oceans Management
Dalhousie Law School, Dalhousie University, Canada; and
Alf Hakon Hoel, University of Tromso, and Terje Lobach,
Miriam C. Balgos, University of Delaware
Fisheries Directorate, Norway
Chapter 2. International Agreements Providing
Chapter 12. The Marine Policy of the Russian
Guidance for National and Regional Ocean Policies
Federation: Its Formation and Realization
Jon M. Van Dyke, University of Hawaii School of Law
Yuriy M. Kolochkov and Yuriy Mikhaylichenko, Ministry of
NATIONAL OCEAN POLICIES
Economic Development and Trade; Valentin P. Sinetsky and
Genrikh K. Voitolovsky, Council for Study of Productive
Chapter 3. Australia's National Oceans Policy
Forces, Russian Federation
Donna Petrachenko and Ben Addison, Marine Division,
Chapter 13. Brazil's National Ocean Policy
Department of the Environment and Water Resources,
Australia
Milton Asmus and Guilherme G. Vieira, Fundação
Universidade do Rio Grande, Brazil; Etiene Marroni,
Chapter 4. Canada's National Ocean Policy
Independent Consultant, Brazil
Camille Mageau and Sue Farlinger, Department of Fisheries
Chapter 14. Jamaica's Oceans and Coastal Policy
and Oceans, Canada; David VanderZwaag, Dalhousie Law
School, Dalhousie University, Canada
Laleta Davis-Mattis, National Environmental and Planning
Agency, Jamaica
Chapter 5. Toward a National Ocean Policy in New
Zealand
Chapter 15. Development of National Ocean Policy
in Japan
Prue Taylor, Department of Planning, University of
Auckland, New Zealand
Hiroshi Terashima, Institute for Ocean Policy, Ocean Policy
Research Foundation, Japan, and Moritaka Hayashi,
Chapter 6. China's Ocean Policy Framework
Waseda University School of Law, Japan
Haiqing Li, Department of International Cooperation,
Chapter 16. Development of a National Oceans
State Oceanic Administration, China, and Jiao Yongke,
Policy in Mexico
China Institute for Marine Affairs, China
Porfirio Alvarez Torres, Antonio Díaz de León Corral,
Chapter 7. Strategy for Marine Environment
Sofia Cortina, Mariela Ibáñez, Gaelle Brachet, Gustavo
Conservation and Development: United Kingdom
Pérez Chirinos, Juan Carlos Aguilar, Roberto Rosado, and
Hance D. Smith, Iwan Ball, Rhoda C. Ballinger, and Tim
Fausto Efrén Burgoa, SEMARNAT, Mexico; Evelia Rivera
Stojanovic, Cardiff University
Arriaga, Centro EPOMEX, Mexico; Isaac Azuz, CETYS-
Universidad, Campus Ensenada, Mexico; and Patricia
Chapter 8. Towards Integrated Ocean and Coastal
Muñoz, National Polytechnic Institute (IPN), Mexico
Policy in the United States
Biliana Cicin-Sain, Gerard J. Mangone Center for Marine
Policy, University of Delaware
12
The Global Forum on Oceans, Coasts, and Islands
Chapter 17. The Philippine National Marine Policy:
3. Facilitating Consensus-Building on
An Ongoing Evolution Toward Integrated Coastal
International Issues
and Ocean Management
2005-2007 (GEF/MSP)
Jay Batongbacal, Philippine Center for Marine Affairs, Inc.,
As noted in the discussion above, a major emphasis of the
and Robert Jara, Department of Environment and Natural
Resources, Philippines
Global Forum has been, and continues to be, collaborating
with governments and other international actors in pro-
Chapter 18. National Marine Policy: A Vietnam Case
moting effective implementation of international ocean
Study
goals.
Nguyen Chu Hoi, Institute of Fisheries Economics and
In addition to this major emphasis, the Global Forum is
Planning, Ministry of Fisheries, Vietnam; Hoang Ngoc Giao,
concerned with anticipation of important issues that will
Law School, Vietnam National University
be facing the international oceans community and/or will
REGIONAL OCEAN POLICIES
be the subject of important UN negotiations in the next
Chapter 19. The Commission's Green Paper "Towards
decade. The intent here is to contribute--through policy
a Future Oceans and Seas"
analyses and multistakeholder policy dialogues-- to clarify-
John Richardson, Maritime Policy Task Force, European
ing the issues, developing options, laying out various
Commission
perspectives, and identifying possible avenues for consen-
sus-building among disparate interests.
Chapter 20. Pacific Islands Regional Ocean Policy:
Towards Implementation
One such issue is the problem of governance of marine
areas beyond national jurisdiction. Almost two thirds of
Mary Power, Pacific Islands Applied Geoscience Commission
(SOPAC), Fiji
the world's oceans are found more than 200 miles from
the coast of any nation, and therefore, in principle beyond
Chapter 21. Toward Integrated Ocean Policy at the
the limits of national jurisdiction. While in the past the
National and Regional Levels in Africa
ocean's capacity to resist or recover from human impacts
Indumathie Hewawasam, World Bank, and Bernice McLean,
was thought to be limitless, it is becoming increasingly
Endangered Wildlife Trust, South Africa
apparent that humans are impacting all aspects of the
Chapter 22. The Sustainable Development Strategy
ocean system. Key issues in areas beyond national jurisdic-
for the Seas of East Asia: Policy Implications at Local,
tion include illegal, unreported and unregulated (IUU)
National and Regional Levels
fishing, overfishing, destructive fishing practices, extrac-
Stella Regina Bernad and Chua Thia-Eng, Partnerships in
tion of marine genetic resources, pollution (including
Environmental Management for the Seas of East Asia
ocean acidification) and climate change, among others. To
date there is no consensus on the various legal and policy
COMPARATIVE ANALYSIS AND COMMENTARY
issues surrounding marine areas beyond national jurisdic-
Chapter 23. Comparative Analysis of National and
tion, and there are many different options being elaborat-
Regional Ocean Policies: Lessons Learned and
ed and discussed about how these issues should be
Implications for International Guidance
resolved. This issue will no doubt be the subject of intense
Biliana Cicin-Sain, Gerard J. Mangone Center for Marine
UN negotiations in the next decade.
Policy, University of Delaware; David VanderZwaag,
Prior to the 2006 Global Conference, the Global Forum
Dalhousie Law School, Dalhousie University, Canada; and
organized a Working Group on Improving Governance of
Miriam C. Balgos, University of Delaware
Marine Areas Beyond National Jurisdiction to facilitate
References
multi-stakeholder dialogue prior to, at the Global
About the Authors
Conference itself, and beyond, and to provide input to
other fora addressing these issues. The Working Group
approached the issue of governance of areas beyond
national jurisdiction broadly and through an expert panel
and two multi-stakeholder dialogue sessions, addressed
issues relating both to the high seas (defined in part VII of
the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea)
and the deep seabed, or the "Area" as defined by Part XI of
the Convention. The Working Group includes about 70
members (from both developed and developing nations),
13
The Global Forum on Oceans, Coasts, and Islands
and from a broad range of sectors including national gov-
4. Work with Small Island Developing
ernments, academia, UN agencies, intergovernmental
States (SIDS)
organizations, non-governmental organizations, and
industry.
2001-2005:
According to a number of representatives from govern-
While typically small in land size, small island developing
ments, UN agencies, and nongovernmental organiza-
States (SIDS) can be characterized as large ocean states due
tions, the work of the Global Forum's Working Group was
to establishment of 200-mile Exclusive Economic Zones
very useful in laying the groundwork for the subsequent
(EEZs), resulting in these small islands being custodians of
UN Ad Hoc Open-ended Informal Working Group to
much of the world's ocean space. An issue of major con-
study issues relating to the conservation and sustainable
cern to SIDS is the threat of climate change and the asso-
use of marine biological diversity beyond areas of nation-
ciated sea level rise predictions. The significant vulnerabil-
al jurisdiction which took place in February 2006.
ity of the natural environment, economy, and social
Participants noted that the informal nature of the policy
structure of SIDS has been well established. Even though
dialogues that took place at the January 2006 Global
similar problems are present in most developing coun-
Conference and the informal interchange of perspectives
tries, because of the inherent characteristics of SIDS, they
which took place both before and during the Third Global
are felt more acutely by these countries.
Conference very much facilitated the cooperative nature
While most SIDS are keenly aware of the importance of
of the discussions at the UN February meeting by provid-
the marine environment and its resources to their sustain-
ing a venue for the sharing of perspectives among govern-
able development and economic stability, many SIDS
ments (both developed and developing), UN and other
nations lack specific institutions or administrative
international agencies, NGOs, and industry without the
processes to implement cross-cutting approaches to plan-
pressure of formal institutional positions.
ning and management of oceans and coasts. Among the
44 SIDS nations, no SIDS has delimited its Exclusive
The work of the Global Forum's Working Group on Improving
Economic Zone, only eight SIDS (20%) have dedicated
Governance of Marine Areas Beyond National Jurisdiction
coastal management institutions; and only three (7%)
was very useful in laying the groundwork for the subsequent
have enacted coastal legislation.
UN Informal Working Group that took place in February
The Global Forum has worked with the Alliance of Small
2006. The informal interchange of perspectives that took
Island States (AOSIS) since 2001 when SIDS states and
place both before and during the 2006 Global Conference
ocean interests became particularly active in advancing
very much facilitated the cooperative nature of the discussions
the SIDS, oceans, and coasts agenda at the World Summit
at the UN February meeting by providing a neutral and infor-
on Sustainable Development. The Global Forum partici-
mal venue for the sharing of perspectives among governments
pated in and provided analytical input to the 2005
(both developed and developing), UN and other international
Mauritius International Meeting to review the 1994
agencies, NGOs, and industry, in a candid and direct manner.
Barbados Programme of Action for the Sustainable
-- Lorraine Ridgeway, Director-General,
Development of Small Island Developing States, and has
International Coordination and Policy
worked with SIDS representatives in assessing and
Analysis, Department of Fisheries and
responding to capacity development needs in ocean and
Oceans, Canada, and Co-Chair, UN Open-
coastal management.
ended Informal Consultative Process on
Oceans and the Law of the Sea,
June 17, 2006, New York
2001-2005 (GEF/MSP):
Global Forum Towards Mauritius
2005 Paper Series
The Global Forum contributed to the oceans agenda at
the 2005 Mauritius International Meeting to review the
1994 Barbados Programme of Action for the Sustainable
Development of Small Island Developing States by prepar-
ing a series of policy analyses on ocean and coastal man-
agement issues in SIDS. The reports of the policy analyses
were presented at the Mauritius International Meeting.
This work was sponsored by the UNEP/GPA.
14
The Global Forum on Oceans, Coasts, and Islands
The Reports include:
Mauritius International Strategy. A major obstacle empha-
sized at the Global Conference was insufficient institution-
Voluntary Partnership Initiatives from the 2002 World
al support for systematic follow-up to the Mauritius
Summit on Sustainable Development and Small Island
Strategy--including the absence of a mechanism for assess-
Developing States Toward Mauritius 2005 Paper Series No.
ing implementation at national and regional levels; the
2003-1
need to integrate the Mauritius Strategy into the work pro-
Iniciativas de Asociación Voluntarias Derivadas de la
grams of the UN agencies; establishing indicators for
Cumbre Mundial 2002 sobre el Desarrollo Sostenible y los
implementation success; and strengthening the capacity of
Pequeños Estados Insulares en Desarrollo Toward
AOSIS to assess progress on implementation and to elimi-
Mauritius 2005 Paper Series No. 2004-1
nate obstacles to implementation.
Global Multilateral Environmental Agreements and
Small Island Developing States Toward Mauritius 2005
Thank you to the Global Forum for capturing the issues that
Paper Series No. 2004-2
are facing small island developing States. These issues were
well covered in both in the Third Global Conference and in the
Small Islands, Large Ocean States: A Review of Ocean
reports coming out of the conference.
and Coastal Management in Small Island Developing
States since the 1994 Barbados Programme of Action for
-- Ambassador Enele Sopoaga, former UN
the Sustainable Development of Small Island Developing
Permanent Representative of Tuvalu to the
States (SIDS) Toward Mauritius 2005 Paper Series No.
United Nations and Vice-Chair, Alliance of
2005-1
Small Island States, January 27, 2006, Paris
Island Bellwether: Climate Change and Energy Policy
Regional Assessments on Capacity Building
Strategy for Small Island Developing States Toward
in 4 SIDS Regions
Mauritius 2005 Paper Series No. 2005-2
Under the framework of the Global Forum GEF-MSP on
The Global Forum also devoted a conference panel and dis-
Fostering a Global Dialogue on Oceans, Coasts, and SIDS, and
cussion groups on SIDS during the 2nd Global Conference
on Freshwater-Coastal-Marine Interlinkages, the Global Forum
in Paris in November 2003 in preparation for the Mauritius
has organized four regional capacity assessments on the
International Meeting. At the Meeting, a side event was
specific steps that can be taken to rapidly implement the
also organized by the Global Forum focusing on SIDS
Mauritius Strategy (2005) in four SIDS regions: Caribbean;
ocean and coastal management issues highlighted in the
Pacific Islands; Indian Ocean, and Atlantic SIDS, with lead-
policy analyses reports.
ership from regional SIDS experts, as follows:
Implementing the Pacific Islands Regional Oceans
2005-2007 (GEF/MSP):
Policy: A Rapid Assessment on the Status of Ocean and
Working Group on SIDS on the Implementation
Coastal Management in the Pacific Islands Region with
of the Mauritius International Strategy
Recommendations for Immediate Priority Actions
A Working Group composed of SIDS ocean experts from
Cristelle Pratt and Mary Power, Pacific Islands Applied
the Pacific, Caribbean, and AIMS (Indian Ocean, Atlantic,
Geoscience Commission (SOPAC), and Alf Simpson,
Mediterranean, and South China Sea) has been formed to
Independent Consultant (2006)
work with AOSIS, UNDESA, and others on the rapid imple-
Strategies for Implementing Coastal and Ocean
mentation of the decisions made at the Mauritius
Management in the Wider Caribbean Region
International Meeting, and to address issues related to
Peter Edwards (Jamaica), University of Delaware, and
capacity development in SIDS.
Franklin McDonald, United Nations Environment
The Working Group met in Lisbon, Portugal, during the
Programme/Caribbean Environment Programme, (2007)
TOPS 2005 The Ocean Policy Summit, to discuss the imple-
(in draft)
mentation of ocean and coastal issues specified within the
Implementation Strategy for Advancing Ocean and
Mauritius Implementation Strategy and the Barbados
Coastal Management in the Atlantic SIDS
Programme of Action and to examine the issues of capaci-
ty building. Panels and dialogue sessions on SIDS issues
Marina Pereira Silva, Independent Consultant (Cape
were featured at the 2006 Third Global Conference on
Verde), and Isabel Torres de Noronha, Community of
Oceans, Coasts, and Islands, with experts from the three
Portuguese-Speaking Nations (CPLP) Oceans Strategy
SIDS regions deliberating on how to go forward in the
Advisor, (2006)
development of implementation strategies for the
15
The Global Forum on Oceans, Coasts, and Islands
Atlantic, Indian Ocean, Mediterranean, and the South
on the part of all those involved in development to ensure better
China Sea (AIMS) SIDS Rapid Assessment: Policy
management of the marine and coastal environment, a revenue
Analysis on Strategies for Implementation of Ocean and
source that must be managed in an ecologically rational way.
Coastal Management Priorities
-- Honorable Thierno Lo, Minister for the
Nirmal Jivan Shah, Nature Seychelles, Peter Edwards
Environment and Protection of Nature,
(Jamaica), LaVerne Walker (St. Lucia), Lindsey Williams
Senegal, January 25, 2006, Paris
(US) (2006)
2001-2005:
Strategic Ocean Policy Workshop for Pacific
Capacity building for the governance of ocean and coastal
Island Decisionmakers, Late 2007, Suva, Fiji
areas has been an important priority focus area of the
Global Forum since its formation in 2001. Capacity devel-
Allied Workshop on Enhancing the Ocean
opment is essential for achieving integrated management
and Coastal Management Curriculum of the
of the oceans, especially in developing countries, SIDS,
SIDS Consortium of Universities, Late 2007,
and countries with economies in transition.
Suva, Fiji
Participants at the 1st and 2nd Global Conferences in 2001
The Strategic Ocean Policy Workshop for Pacific Island
and 2003 made key recommendation on capacity develop-
Decisionmakers is being organized by SOPAC (Pacific
ment:
Islands Applied Geosciences Commission) through the
1) Carry out capacity building that would support the
Marine Sector Working Group of the Council for Regional
involvement of both the national and sub-national levels
Organizations of the Pacific, the Global Forum and other
of government in the development and implementation
partners. The workshop is intended to provide a forum for
of integrated coastal management programs;
high-level government officials of Pacific SIDS countries to
discuss and consider information, approaches and tools
2) Increase the capacity of local governments and commu-
for the implementation of the Pacific Islands Regional
nity-based groups to manage coastal and marine areas
Ocean Policy at the national level, specifically looking at
with appropriate scientific inputs and participatory
potential appropriate
processes; and
institutional structures
3) Promote the formulation of policies for the manage-
and processes for inte-
ment of EEZs as a new frontier to maximize the economic
grated ocean and coastal
return from ocean resources, in particular through the
management in the
development of common vision for sustainable develop-
Pacific Island context.
ment across all ocean.
The workshop will high-
The Global Forum GEF/MSP has addressed these priority
light the salient prob-
areas especially in SIDS, developing countries, and coun-
lem of formally delimit-
tries with economies in transition, as noted below.
ing EEZ and continental
shelf boundaries in the Pacific island nations as a prerequi-
2005-2007 (GEF/MSP):
site for effective EEZ management by establishing the legal
boundaries for management interventions.
Assessment of Capacity-building Needs for
the Development and Implementation of
An allied workshop on the enhancement of higher educa-
Ecosystem-based National and Regional
tion programs on integrated ocean and coastal manage-
Ocean Policies Among Developing Countries
ment presently conducted by members of the SIDS
and Regions
University Consortium will be conducted following the
Strategic Ocean Policy Workshop.
Capacity building in light of national ocean policy development
and improved ocean governance involves capacity development
5. Long-term Capacity Building in
at three levels: Individual, institutional, and societal level.
Individually there is a need to develop ocean policy expertise
Ocean and Coastal Management
through human resource development programs. Institutional
Integrated management of the coast and the marine environ-
capacity development involves providing support from internal
ment is altogether an essential aspect of improving the social
and external sources to advance the design, implementation,
and economic conditions of communities which are mostly
and evaluation of ocean legislation, including the development
established in such coastal zones-- hence the need for vigilance
of implementation strategies such as intergovernmental and
16
The Global Forum on Oceans, Coasts, and Islands
cross-sectoral coordination mechanisms and conduct of target-
-- Four rapid assessments on the specific steps that can
ed research and development projects. At the societal level,
be taken to rapidly implement the Mauritius Strategy
capacity building involves the development of public awareness
(2005) in four SIDS regions including assessing the
and empowerment to be able to take part in decision-making in
associated capacity development needs (see discussion
ocean governance.
and report titles in the section on SIDS);
Ultimately, to be successful, the good practice principles of
-- A capacity assessment on ocean and coastal manage-
capacity building need to be followed which, in spite of their
ment by the Community of Portuguese-Speaking
context-specificity and complexity, are clear. Similarly, sufficient
Nations (CPLP) (8 nations) (see details in Box 8);
resources (both skills and money) need to be set aside as it is a
Assessment of Needs in Capacity Development for
long process, institutional and societal. Only within this under-
Ocean and Coastal Management in the Community of
standing and framework will sufficient capacity be built and
Portuguese-Speaking Nations
lead to efficient and effective ocean governance. This will
Community of Portuguese-speaking Nations (CPLP)
involve risk and demand courage and requires that government,
(2006)
private organizations, local civil society organizations, interna-
-- Regional capacity assessments on integrated ocean and
tional non-governmental organizations, and donors take
coastal management in Africa, East Asia, and Latin
responsibility for addressing their contributions to capacity
America.
building.
Assessment of East Asia's Capacity Building in Oceans
Ali Mohammed and James Kamula,
and Coastal Governance PEMSEA, UNESCO-IOC, and
New Partnership for Africa's Development
the Global Forum on Oceans, Coasts, and Islands, (2007)
(NEPAD) Coastal and Marine Coordination
Unit (COSMAR) Secretariat, from
Assessment of Africa's Capacity Building Needs for the
Draft assessment, June 15, 2007
Development and Implementation of Ecosystem-based
Ocean Governance
The Global Forum has organized eight regional capacity
Ali Mohammed and James Kamula, New Partnership for
assessments related to ocean and coastal management to
Africa's Development (NEPAD) Coastal and Marine
examine:
Coordination Unit (COSMAR) Secretariat
1. Gaps and problems in capacity and determine their
(in draft)
relative importance to current and future ocean gover-
Capacity Assessment in Ocean and Coastal
nance initiatives, including national and regional inte-
Management in Latin America
grated policy development
Secretariat of Environment and Natural Resources
2. The presence (or absence) of university formal pro-
(SEMARNAT), Mexico, and Patricia Muñoz, National
grams related to ocean and coastal management in
Polytechnic Institute (IPN), Mexico (Assessment under-
countries in the region, as well as needs for enhancing
way)
these
The next step in this process is for the Working Group on
3. The presence (or absence) of informal programs of
Capacity Building to develop a global strategy for action in
ocean and coastal management targeted to decision-
capacity development to be formulated in consultation
makers in countries in the region, as well as the needs
with a variety of key stakeholders, including donors.
for enhancing such programs
While this process is ongoing, it is clear that the process of
self-evaluation involved in the regional capacity assess-
4. Approaches to institutionalizing "Extension" services
ments may also itself lead to initiatives in the region and
at the community/local level for problem-solving and
to South-to-South cooperation in capacity development.
community education regarding ocean and coastal
This has taken place, for example, in the context of the 8
resources
Portuguese-speak-
5. Strategic solutions to the identified gaps and needs
ing nations as
through the development of an implementation strat-
noted in Box 8.
egy for capacity building in the regions, including
funding sources
The following assessments have been carried out or are
nearing completion:
17
The Global Forum on Oceans, Coasts, and Islands
Box 8. South-to-South Cooperation on Capacity Development among 8 Portuguese
Speaking Nations
The Community of Portuguese-Speaking Countries
(CPLP) organized the first-ever workshop on The Seas
of the Community of Portuguese-Speaking Countries
during the Global Forum's The Ocean Policy Summit
(October 10-14, 2005), to identify the common needs of
its member states--Angola, Brazil, Cape Verde, Guinea-
Bissau, Mozambique, Portugal, São Tomé and Príncipe,
and East Timor-- in the development of national ocean
policies as a major strategy for strengthening their
national economies as well as their external relations.
The total area of the Exclusive Economic Zones of the
· Biodiversity
member States of the CPLP is approximately 10 million
sq. km, and for centuries the histories of these countries
· Combating desertification and Mitigation of the
have been closely related to the oceans, rendering their
Effects of Drought
oceans as a major cultural and socio-economic asset.
· Ecotourism
The workshop The Seas of the CPLP, which took place on
· Environmental Education
October 10, 2005, constituted a historic meeting where
· Ocean and Coastal Management
high level representatives of the CPLP Member States dis-
cussed, for the first time, the sustainable management of
· Waste Management
oceans; prioritized common major issues on oceans man-
· Integrated Water Resources Management
agement; and identified avenues for cross-national col-
· Climate Change and Renewable Energies.
laboration to address these issues. The participants drew
The Framework will be implemented in various ways,
up an action plan for enhanced cooperation among
including through:
member states, including the holding of a high-level offi-
cials workshop for raising awareness on oceans manage-
· Exchange of information;
ment.
· Professional enhancement, through training courses,
The Government of Brazil subsequently hosted a
student exchange and academic programs;
Ministerial-level workshop for the CPLP, held in
· Strengthening environmental management pro-
Brasilia on May 24-26, 2006, which resulted in a
grams;
Framework of Cooperation on the Environment
· Implementation of joint projects in each of the the-
among CPLP Member States. The framework represents
matic areas included in this Framework;
a renewal of the commitments made by the Community
of Portuguese-Speaking Countries to multilateral envi-
· Exchange of technicians, consultants and researchers;
ronmental agreements, particularly the Johannesburg
· Organization of seminars, symposia and conferences;
Plan of Implementation and the Millennium
and
Development Goals. In addition, the CPLP Framework of
· Provision of equipment and other necessary materials
Cooperation on the Environment gives priority to the
for the accomplishment of specific projects.
implementation of existing institutional arrangements
already in place, particularly in respect to the Bali
Implementation of the Framework is already under-
Strategic Plan for Technology Support and Capacity
way with a specific two-year agreement with funding
Building, the UNEP Global Programme of Action for the
between Brazil and Cape Verde to provide support for
Protection of the Marine Environment from Land-based
Cape Verde in capacity building, training, methodolo-
Activities, and the GEF International Waters Program.
gies, and publications related to integrated management
of coastal shores and to oil spill prevention.
The workshop participants agreed that a fruitful cooper-
ation among CPLP nations could be achieved in the areas
noted below with different countries taking responsibili-
ty for serving as the lead on the issue:
18
The Global Forum on Oceans, Coasts, and Islands
Oceans Strategy Workshop for SIDS
6. Linking the Management of
TOPS 2005 The Ocean Policy Summit
Freshwater and Oceans and Coasts
October 14, 2005
The Global Forum organized the Oceans Strategy Work-
All the Millennium Development Goals reducing poverty,
shop, which was attended by 60 participants, including 22
hunger, diseases, and environmental degradation depend on
SIDS participants and 21 lecturers and resource persons.
water for their achievement. That in turn calls for Integrated
The workshop covered the areas of integrated ocean gover-
Water Resources Management, and because water is an inte-
nance, with a focus on upstream (land-based sources) and
gral system, we must marry Chapter 18 of Agenda 21 on
downstream governance (continental shelf and Exclusive
freshwater resources, to Chapter 17 of Agenda 21 on oceans
Economic Zone governance), and the importance of link-
and coasts, and similarly, we must bring together the water
ing initiatives at both ends of the governance spectrum.
and oceans communities. The Global Forum is well poised to
The workshop aimed to increase awareness among partici-
bring these two communities together.
pants on Exclusive Economic Zone and continental shelf
delimitation and management; multilateral environmental
-- Dr. Torkil Jønch-Clausen, King Hassan II
Prize Awardee, 2006 World Water Forum,
agreements negotiations; and implementation of the
Mexico City, October 17, 2006, Beijing
Global Programme of Action for the Protection of the
Marine Environment from Land-Based Activities, and to
2005-2007 (GEF/MSP):
provide an opportunity for discussion of issues and oppor-
tunities related to the workshop topics
Due to interrelated natural processes, what happens
upstream affects the downstream environment and vice-
Collaborative Activities with IW:LEARN in
versa. In order to preserve overall system integrity, it is
Enhancing Replication of Project Outcomes through
imperative to link management measures regarding oceans
GEF IW projects
and coasts to the improved management of river basins
and watersheds to insure that development activities
The Global Forum and the UNDP/UNEP/WB-GEF
upstream are planned and implemented with full knowl-
International Waters Learning, Exchange, and Resource
edge of the potential impacts to the ecosystems and eco-
Network Program (IW:LEARN) are collaborating in a num-
nomic activities and livelihoods in the coastal and marine
ber of capacity development activities: 1) supporting the
areas. The costs of inaction are high. It is known from river
work of the Oceans Training Partnership (UNEP/GPA,
rehabilitation practices that the costs of ignoring
UNDOALOS, UNDP/GEF, International Ocean Institute,
upstream-downstream management linkages have been
IW:LEARN, UNESCO-IHE, Global Forum) especially in
enormous--the costs of rehabilitation are much higher
implementing a framework for the electronic posting of
than the costs of prevention.
existing courses administered by the various partners; 2)
Internet dissemination of best practices and lessons
However, it is difficult, in practice, to connect the manage-
learned from the Global Forum GEF/MSP, other Global
ment of freshwater, with the management of coasts and
Forum initiatives, and GEF International Water projects.
oceans since decisions about these areas generally take
place in different institutions and by different actors. There
has also generally been little systematic contact between
the technical and policy communities in freshwater and
oceans.
One of the goals of the GEF/MSP project was to foster dia-
logue, and eventually partnerships, with global water insti-
tutions, such as the Global Water Partnership, the World
Water Council, the Swedish International Water Institute,
others. In the period 2005-2007, the Global Forum thus
spent considerable effort to insert an oceans aspect in
important global water gatherings (such as the World
Water Forum and the Stockholm World Water Week) as
well as to bring freshwater perspectives into oceans fora
such as the 2006 global oceans conference. In related
action, the Global Forum worked with UNEP/GPA in the
preparations for the Second Intergovernmental Review
19
The Global Forum on Oceans, Coasts, and Islands
Meeting of the UNEP Global Programme of Action for the
Box 9. Activities of the Global Forum and of the
Protection of the Marine Environment from Land-based
Working Group on Freshwater and Oceans to
Activities (IGR-2), especially in the preparation of IGR-2
Connect Freshwater and Ocean Management
partnerships.
Processes
Working Group on Linking Management of Freshwater
and Oceans
The Working Group organized the International
The Global Forum organized a Freshwater to Oceans
Workshop on Freshwater-Coastal-Marine Management
Working Group to focus especially on the implementa-
Interlinkages, held on January 10-11, 2006 in Mexico
tion of the UNEP Global Programme of Action for the
City, sponsored by the GEF/MSP Fostering a Global
Protection of the Marine Environment from Land-based
Dialogue on Oceans, Coasts, and SIDS, and on Freshwater-
Activities and on best practices in linking watersheds to
Coastal-Marine Interlinkages in collaboration with IOC, the
oceans. The Task Force is composed of experts in both
Consejo Consultivo del Agua, Mexico, SEMARNAT,
watershed management and in integrated coastal and
Mexico, Centro EPOMEX, the Global Forum, UNEP
ocean management from various organizations and
Global Programme of Action for the Protection of the
regions. The activities of the Global Forum and of the
Marine Environment from Land-based Activities (GPA)
Freshwater to Oceans Working Group to foster dialogue
and other collaborating organizations. Thirty-nine (39)
with the global water community and to work on the
experts from 29 countries participated in the workshop.
IGR-2 are summarized in Box 9.
The Working Group organized a panel session and stake-
The Global Forum also developed a new partnership with
holder dialogue sessions on linking freshwater-to-oceans
UNEP/GPA and other partners that was featured at the
initiatives at the Third Global Conference on Oceans,
IGR-2 in Beijing in October 2006. The partnership, enti-
Coasts, and Islands, held in UNESCO, Paris, France,
tled Advancing the WSSD Targets on Ecosystem
January 23-28, 2006, and made preparations for the sec-
Management and on Integrated Coastal Management
ond Intergovernmental Review of the UNEP-GPA (IGR-2)
through the GPA: Global Reporting and Case Studies,
held on October 16-20, 2006, in Beijing, People's Republic
will involve the preparation of a global report on the sta-
of China.
tus and trends in the implementation of policy initiatives
A session on Management Link for Freshwater and
in ecosystem management, and integrated coastal and
Coasts--Progress in Local Actions organized by the
ocean management, based on collaboration with nation-
UNEP/GPA, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric
al authorities (on a voluntary basis), national experts,
Administration, and the Global Forum was held at the 4th
regional organizations, UN organizations, and other
World Water Forum in Mexico City on March 18, 2006,
expert entities. This report will be featured at the 2008 4th
which aimed to promote integrated watershed and coastal
Global Conference on Oceans, Coasts, and Islands in
management through the UNEP-GPA framework, partner-
Vietnam (discussed later in this report). The conference
ships and other approaches.
will bring together experts from around the world to
Another session on Strengthening Cross-cutting Schemes
explicitly focus on the progress being achieved and obsta-
Toward the Integrated Management of Rivers and
cles faced in the implementation of ecosystem manage-
Coasts organized by SEMARNAT General Directorship for
ment and integrated coastal and ocean management.
Following the Global Conference, the report will be
revised to incorporate additional data and information
gleaned from case studies presented at the conference,
and will be issued in final form in early 2010, as a summa-
ry report on the fulfilment of the JPOI 2010 goal of
achieving ecosystem management and integrated coastal
and ocean management.
20
7 The Global Forum on Oceans, Coasts, and Islands
Environmental Policy, Regional and Sectoral Integration,
7. Policy Analyses, Publications, and
and the Global Environmental Facility (GEF), was held at
Information Services
the 4th World Water Forum on March 18, 2006, which
promoted crosscutting interventions along the watershed
The Global Forum produces a broad variety of policy
to protect coastal areas from land-based sources of pollu-
analyses, publications, and information services, including
tion, and highlighted the need for integrated watershed
an electronic newsletter and other online information,
and coastal management.
with the goal of providing relevant and timely information
about integrated ocean policy to the global oceans com-
Together with the Stakeholder Forum, the Global Forum
munity, with a particular emphasis on decision-makers.
produced a set of newsletters, GPA Outreach, related to
UNEP-GPA and IGR-2 during the Stockholm World Water
See Box 10 for a list of publications.
Week (August 2006). The newsletters featured a number of
Box 10. Publications and Internet Services by the
partnerships that were presented during Partnerships Day
Global Forum on Oceans, Coasts, and Islands
at IGR-2.
The Global Forum also collaborated with the Stakeholder
1. Meeting the Commitments on Oceans, Coasts, and
Forum on a GPA Event at the World Water Week on
Small Island Developing States Made at the 2002 World
Developing Solutions to Protect the Marine Environment
Summit on Sustainable Development: How Well Are We
from Land-based Activities: Stakeholder Consultation,
Doing? Co-chairs' Report Volume 1 (2006)
August 22, 2006, Stockholm. In preparation for IGR-2, this
2. Reports from the Third Global Conference on Oceans,
side event brought together stakeholders from around the
Coasts, and Islands: Moving the Global Oceans Agenda
world to discuss issues threatening the marine environ-
Forward, Co-Chairs' Report Volume 2 (2006)
ment. Participants were given the opportunity to com-
ment on the draft Beijing Declaration on furthering the
3. Small Islands, Large Ocean States: A Review of Ocean
implementation of the Global Programme of Action for
and Coastal Management in Small Island Developing
the Protection of the Marine Environment from Land-
States since the 1994 Barbados Programme of Action for
based Activities produced during the IGR-2.
the Sustainable Development of Small Island
Developing States (SIDS) (2005)
The Global Forum participated in the 11th Global Water
Partnership Consulting Partners Meeting and 10th
4. Island Bellwether: Climate Change and Energy Policy
Anniversary Celebration held on August 18-20, 2006 in
Strategy for Small Island Developing States (2005)
Stockholm, Sweden, and in the 2006 World Water Week
5. Mobilizing for Implementation of the Commitments
also in Stockholm, August 20-26, 2006, where several
Made at the 2002 World Summit on Sustainable
potential collaborators were identified in an effort to pro-
Development on Oceans, Coasts, and Small Island
mote the development of a collaborative relationship
Developing States
between the Global Forum and water-related institutions.
Co-Chairs' Report of the 2003 Global Conference on
In particular, collaboration was established with the
Oceans, Coasts, and Islands, UNESCO, Paris, November
Danish Hydraulic Institute Water and Environment
12-14, 2003 and Subsequent Developments (May 2004)
Group and the UNEP Collaborating Centre on Water and
6. Global Multilateral Environmental Agreements and
Environment (UCC-Water), focusing on: 1) Work on the
Small Island Developing States (2004)
GWP IWRM Tool Box to strengthen the integrated ocean
7. Voluntary Partnership Initiatives from the 2002
and coastal management tools available for both IWRM
World Summit on Sustainable Development and Small
and integrated ocean and coastal management (ICM)
Island Developing States (2003) (also in Spanish)
users; 2) Plan the conduct of a series of case studies on
freshwater to oceans linkages in several regions of the
8. A Guide to Oceans, Coasts and Islands at the World
world; 3) Conduct demonstrations on the use of the
Summit on Sustainable Development: Integrated
enhanced IWRM tool box in the several forthcoming
Management from Hilltops to Oceans (2002)
freshwater and ocean workshops/meetings; 4) Collaborate
9. Ensuring the Sustainable Development of Oceans and
in the planning of the content of freshwater to oceans
Coasts: A Call to Action. Co-Chairs' Report, the Global
activities at forthcoming global water and global oceans
Conference on Oceans and Coasts at Rio+10, Paris,
events, including the World Water Forum, and the Global
UNESCO, December 3-7, 2001 (2001)
Conference on Oceans, Coasts, and Islands.
21
The Global Forum on Oceans, Coasts, and Islands
10. Ministerial Perspectives on Oceans and Coasts at
GEF/MSP, the Global Forum is preparing and disseminat-
Rio+10 (2001)
ing a package of public information materials highlight-
11. Reports of the Conference Working Groups, The
ing global oceans issues and demonstrating how individ-
Global Conference on Oceans and Coasts at Rio+10,
ual citizens can make a difference in achieving sustain-
Paris, UNESCO, December 3-7, 2001 (2001)
able development of oceans.
12. Internet services: www.globaloceans.org provides a
The WON and NAUSICAA have developed a long-range
variety of information services on global, regional, and
plan (to 2015) with a framework for public information
national developments related to oceans, coasts, and
activities in support of Global Forum goals and objectives
islands
(see figure on opposite page).
13. Global Forum Newsletter, an electronic newsletter, is pub-
Safeguarding the potential of the world's ocean is an
lished periodically (available on www.globaloceans.org)
immense collective and individual challenge for all citizens of
the Blue Planet. The oceans sustain livelihoods of all inhabi-
tants of the Earth. It is only natural that all citizens, and not
8. Outreach to the Public
only decisionmakers, should be involved in stewardship and
2001-2007:
governance of the oceans. The role of the general public is
two-fold: To participate actively in policy- making and to
The Global Forum has organized ocean events especially
adapt their everyday behaviour towards a sustainable way of
aimed at decisionmakers and is collaborating with the
life. Without a strong public awareness of human connected-
World Ocean Network in the creation and dissemination
ness with the marine environment and a strong sense of
of information on global oceans issues to the public.
common maritime identity, no policy will succeed.
Ocean Events
The role that aquaria, science centres, natural science muse-
The Global Forum hosts side events at nearly all relevant
ums, and zoos can play makes them an important asset.
international conferences and meetings that focus on the
Visited by more than 200 million people every year, our insti-
global agenda on oceans, coasts, and SIDS. For example,
tutions are situated at a crossroads where several worlds con-
the Global Forum has convened side events at the 20th
verge: The world of politics, scientists and professionals, the
Anniversary of the Law of the Sea, the 3rd World Water
world of mass media, and general public institutions. We are
Forum, the United Nations Open-Ended Informal
ideally placed to explain the complexities of maritime issues,
Consultative Process on Oceans and Law of the Sea,
inform the public about sustainable policies, make new laws
Commission on Sustainable Development meetings, and
more easily accepted, involve people in their implementation,
at the January 2005 Mauritius International Meeting for
and find out what the general public really thinks and needs.
Small Island Developing States.
Outreach to the Public Through Museums and
- Philippe Vallette, General Manager,
Aquaria
NAUSICAA (Centre National de la Mer,
France), and Co-Chair, World Ocean
The Global Forum rec-
Network, June 24, 2007, New York
ognizes the importance
of increasing public
Directory of Non-Governmental Organizations
awareness of the global
Involved in Oceans, Coasts, and SIDS
agenda on oceans,
This directory provides concise information on about
coasts, and island to
500 non-governmental organizations (NGOs) around the
advance the global
world that are involved in furthering the agenda of the
oceans agenda. Since
World Summit on Sustainable Development regarding
2002, the Global
oceans, coasts, and small island developing States. The
Forum has enjoyed a close collaboration with NAUSICAA
Directory is web-based to to make it widely accessible and
(Centre National de la Mer, France), also the organizer of
for ease in updating existing NGO information and
World Ocean Network (WON) (the network of museums,
adding new organizations. It will be located at the Global
aquaria, and ocean learning centers around the world).
Forum on Oceans, Coasts and Islands website: www.glob-
With WON and NAUSICAA and with funding from the
aloceans.org.
22
The Global Forum on Oceans, Coasts, and Islands
23
The Global Forum on Oceans, Coasts, and Islands
III. FUTURE DIRECTIONS: GLOBAL
The results of Working Group deliberations and a
FORUM ACTIVITIES PLANNED FOR
draft Global Oceans Agenda for 2007-2017 will be
presented at:
2007-2009, AND STRATEGIC
--The 4th Global Conference on Oceans, Coasts,
PLANNING TO 2016
and Islands, to be held in Hanoi, Vietnam,
2005-2007:
on April 7-11, 2008
--The World Ocean Conference, Manado, Indonesia,
Strategic Planning on the Global
May 11-15, 2009
Oceans Agenda, 2006-2016
--Other appropriate international venues
In late 2006, the Global Forum began a strategic planning
effort to chart strategic activities, which could be under-
Global Forum Activities Planned for
taken together with governments, the United Nations,
2007-2009
NGOs, industry, and scientific groups to advance the
4th Global Conference on Oceans, Coasts,
global oceans agenda over the next ten-year period, to
and Islands
2017. The first step was the development of a draft calen-
dar of major events and opportunities for policy decisions
April 7-11, 2008, Hanoi, Vietnam
(by the United Nations and other parties) related to
The Global Forum has focused on the issues and problems
oceans, coasts, small island developing States, and fresh-
related to the sustainable development and use of the ocean
water taking place over the next decade, as well as tenta-
and coastal areas, particularly related to the well-being of
tive Global Forum policy analyses and multistakeholder
coastal communities in the developing world. These are major
workshops/global conferences in response to and/or in
issues in Vietnam, and the Government of Vietnam
anticipation of such opportunities. The next steps in the
is very pleased to be the host of the 4th Global Conference
strategic planning are to be carried out through 14
on Oceans, Coasts, and Islands, to be held April 7-11, 2008,
Working Groups, as explained below.
Hanoi, Vietnam. Through the conference, the Global Forum
Working Groups have or are being organized on the fol-
will bring those concerned about the world's oceans to
lowing major themes, which are based on the WSSD tar-
Vietnam, allowing them to experience its beauty and
gets on oceans, coasts, and small island developing States:
significance as a vital coastal nation.
Theme 1. Achieving Ecosystem Management and
- Nguyen Chu Hoi, Director, Institute of
Integrated Coastal and Ocean Management by 2010 in
Fisheries Economics and Planning, Ministry
the Context of Climate Change
of Fisheries, Vietnam, May 14, 2007, Hanoi
Theme 2. Climate, Oceans, and Security: Addressing
Impacts in Vulnerable Ecosystems and in Vulnerable
The 4th Global Conference on Oceans, Coasts, and
Coastal Communities
Islands, Advancing Ecosystem Management and
Theme 3. Addressing the Governance of Marine
Integrated Coastal and Ocean Management by 2010 in
Ecosystems and Uses in Areas Beyond the Limits of
the Context of Climate Change, to be held in Hanoi,
National Jurisdiction
Vietnam, April 7-11, 2008, will mobilize high-level poli-
cy attention, topical working groups, analytical papers,
Working Groups will involve experts from developing
and other contributions to provide a review of progress
countries, developed countries, countries with economies
achieved (or lack thereof) in advancing ecosystem man-
in transition, SIDS, governments, NGOS, international
agement and integrated coastal and ocean management
organizations, industry, and scientific groups, to ensure
by 2010 at national and regional (transboundary) levels,
input from a variety of perspectives.
and in the 64% of
Working Groups will be starting off discussions based on
the ocean beyond
recommendations emanating from the outcomes of the
national jurisdic-
previous multi-stakeholder dialogues conducted at the
tion, and on the
global conferences, particularly those contained in the
allied goals of
2006 report on Meeting the Commitments on Oceans, Coasts,
reducing marine
and Small Island Developing States Made at the 2002 World
biodiversity loss
Summit on Sustainable Development: How Well Are We
by 2010 and of
Doing?.
establishing net-
works of marine
24
The Global Forum on Oceans, Coasts, and Islands
protected areas by 2012 (goals adopted by the world's polit-
Workshop: April 4, 2008, Hanoi, Vietnam (in conjunction
ical leaders at the 2002 World Summit on Sustainable
with the 4th Global Conference)
Development). These goals are considered in the context
Policy Analyses and Workshop on Governance of Areas
of climate change, which, as indicated in the 2007 report
Beyond National Jurisdiction: Management Issues and
of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change
Policy Options
(IPCC), will have profound effects on ecosystems and
coastal populations around the world.
Policy Analyses: May-September 2008
Workshop: October 2008 (tentative)
World Ocean Conference
Ministerial, Donors, and Industry
May 11-15, 2009, Manado, Indonesia
Roundtables
At the 2009 World Ocean Conference, high-level political
The engagement of high-level policy officials, industry,
leaders and other eminent persons will focus on the and donors will be essential in developing the planning
specific actions and initiatives that should be taken by the
strategy to advance the global oceans agenda by 2016.
international community to address the policy recommen-
dations developed at the 4th Global Conference on Oceans,
To prepare for this process of engaging these important
Coasts, and Islands in Hanoi. This conference is being
actors, the Global Forum has organized three Roundtables
organized by the Indonesian Ministry of Marine Affairs and
to encourage the engagement of high-level officials, fund-
Fisheries and the Government of North Sulawesi, in collab-
ing agencies, and the private sector in addressing global
oration with the Global Forum on Oceans, Coasts, and
oceans, coastal, and SIDS issues.
Islands, and other international partners.
Ministerial Roundtable
Bringing together the high-level leaders around the world in an
3rd Global Conference on Oceans, Coasts, and Islands
informal way, in the Global Conferences and in the Ministerial
January 23-28, 2006, UNESCO, Paris, France
Roundtable, has been very useful in broadening the debate to
Two High-Level Informal Ministerial Roundtable sessions
include the perspectives of developing nations, developed
at the Global Conference brought together 19 high-level
nations, intergovernmental organizations, non-governmental
government representatives to share their perspectives on
organizations, industry, and civil society, and has helped to
the global oceans agenda in separate informal sessions. The
inspire Indonesia to take a leading role in global ocean affairs
Informal Roundtables aimed to foster the development, in
by convening the World Ocean Conference in 2009 which will
the long-run, of a High-Level Government Leaders Oceans
be organized in coordination with the Global Forum.
Roundtable, that could meet periodically to further the
-- Indroyono Soesilo, Chair, Agency for Marine
development of strategic and cross-cutting approaches to
and Fisheries Research, Ministry of Marine
enhancing oceans governance at global, regional, and
Affairs and Fisheries, Indonesia
national levels. Participating ministers and high-level gov-
ernment officials agreed that there is general consensus on
Governance of Marine Areas Beyond
the global agenda for the sustainable development of
ocean and coastal areas and small island developing States.
National Jurisdiction
They underlined the importance and need for a strong
As a follow-up on the recommendations emanating from
global leadership to ensure the coordination and successful
the discussion of the Working Group on Governance of
implementation of the agenda's programs and actions.
Marine Areas Beyond National Jurisdiction at the 2006
The ministers strongly supported the informal scope of the
Global Conference, the following activities are planned:
Ministerial Roundtables as a rare and exceptional opportu-
Assemblage of Existing Information on Governance of
nity for ministers and high-level government officials from
Marine Areas Beyond National Jurisdiction
developed as well as developing states to actually discuss
July-October 2007
and interact with each other on major oceans issues with-
out the pressure of making official declarations or state-
Workshop on Scoping and Strategic Planning
ments.
October 2007 (tentative)
Policy Analyses and Workshop on Governance of Areas
Beyond National Jurisdiction: Ecosystems and Uses
Policy Analyses: October 2007-March 2008
25
The Global Forum on Oceans, Coasts, and Islands
Ocean Donors Roundtable
The Oceans Donors Roundtable held a meeting on January
23, 2006, UNESCO, Paris. Among a number of topics dis-
1) TOPS 2005 The Ocean Policy Summit
cussed to address the scaling up of funding for ocean issues,
October 10-14, 2005, Lisbon, Portugal
the Group discussed a possible on-going role for such a
2) Third Global Conference on Oceans, Coasts,
group and its possible comparative advantage as the only
and Islands
meeting of donors, from both the public and private sector,
January 23-28, 2006, UNESCO, Paris, France
directed at oceans, coasts and SIDS. It was recognized that
although donor agencies may have innovative approaches
The Global Forum organized the Ocean Donors
to financing, they are not agenda setters, but responsive to
Roundtable to bring together public and private donors on
the global agenda which has been set and to which govern-
oceans to: 1) share information on existing funding pro-
ments are committed (e.g., Millennium Development
grams on oceans, 2) consider global needs for funding for
Goals, WSSD Plan of Implementation), and that donors
ocean conservation and management efforts, 3) discuss
should bear this agenda in mind.
alternatives for filling gaps in global oceans funding, 4)
possibly devise approaches for public-private funding for
Business and Industry Leaders Roundtable
global ocean priorities.
1) TOPS 2005 The Ocean Policy Summit
October 10-14, 2005, Lisbon, Portugal
2) Third Global Conference on Oceans, Coasts,
and Islands
January 23-28, 2006, UNESCO, Paris, France
The Global Forum organized the Business and Industry
Leaders Roundtable to bring together key leaders from
ocean industries around the world. The Roundtable is
expected to address: 1) the contribution of each major
ocean industry to the global economy, 2) the trends and
challenges each major ocean industry will be facing in the
next decade, 3) in particular, the environmental and social
The first meeting of the Ocean Donors Roundtable was held
challenges each ocean industry will be facing, 4) approach-
on October 10, 2005 in Lisbon, Portugal, as a parallel event
es to addressing the emerging environmental and social
of TOPS 2005 The Ocean Policy Summit. The meeting
challenges ocean industries will be facing, and 5) the pos-
involved a dialogue between 17 public and private donors.
sible involvement of industry interests in the implementa-
The group highlighted that country requirements have to
tion of the global oceans agenda and in the work of the
be articulated through specific requests to donors and that
Global Forum on Oceans, Coasts, and Islands.
resources need to be available for implementation. The
At the first meeting of the Business and Industry Leaders
group also identified some emerging conclusions on this
Roundtable held at TOPS 2005 The Ocean Policy Summit
issue, including that oceans are a priority and that this mes-
on October 12, 2005 in Lisbon, Portugal, representatives
sage needs to be communicated to policy makers and fund-
from the range of
ing agencies. Roundtable participants noted that a strategy
ocean and coastal
is needed to engage the media, public, and think tanks, and
business and indus-
underscored the need to link funding with other initiatives
tries present shared
addressing poverty, economic growth, and business promo-
their perspectives
tion. In the ensuing discussion, participants discussed the
on the existing and
need for: developing countries to seek donors' assistance
potential contribu-
and place oceans on their development agenda; private
tion of the private
partnerships to become the foundation for funding large-
sector to the sus-
scale projects; project proposals that meet local and govern-
tainable develop-
ment priorities; clarity on how to prioritize oceans-related
ment of oceans and
funding; and an examination of the criteria applied in help-
coasts. The primary
ing protect marine resources, especially in SIDS.
purpose of the
Roundtable is to
26
The Global Forum on Oceans, Coasts, and Islands
support the sustain-
able development of
the oceans through
the role of the pri-
vate sector. Business
and industry repre-
sentatives at the
Roundtable were
clear that they were
concerned about
their responsibility
to shareholders, to
customers, to stake-
holders, and their
responsibility as employers and users of ocean areas
and resources. The participants agreed that the Roundtable
was a useful means for bringing together the private sector
and global ocean stakeholders to build relationships
and understanding. Through the Roundtable, participants
hoped to generate dialogue on issues such as globalization
and technology changes, science and best practices, and
linking policy and practice.
In addition to building relationships among sectors tion. The value of ocean industries is high and further sus-
and between the private sector and oceans stakeholders,
tainability measures are recommended.
participants suggested a potential framework for moving
The Business and Industry Leaders Roundtable held a
forward. Participants thought it might be helpful to focus
meeting on January 24, 2006 at UNESCO in Paris in con-
on a particular theme in each future meeting (e.g. certifica-
junction with the 2006 Global Conference.
tion, NGO partnerships) so as to direct the dialogue and
outcomes to targeted areas identified by participants.
The Roundtable Meeting, following the panel session high-
Participants felt the Roundtable would be a useful means
lighted sustainable development practices of various
for documenting and sharing best practices in sustainable
industries, and emphasized the value of ocean industries
development of the oceans. The Roundtable could also be
globally, regionally, nationally, and discussed the desirabil-
a vehicle for engaging business and industry on ocean
ity of producing a report on the contribution of ocean
issues by going to business and industry meetings to `mar-
industries to the global economy.
ket' the issues identified by the group.
The Roundtable organized a panel on Ocean Industries
during the 2006 Global Conference, which focused on the
importance of industry responsibility of sustainable prac-
tices. In addition, the necessity of building cross-sectoral
partnerships among business and ocean leaders is of
utmost importance. The panel highlighted several indus-
tries which have implemented sustainable practices and
which focus on the protection of biodiversity in the
oceans. Industries are working on protecting the oceans
from pollution and improving industry standards as well
as working with environmental organizations to achieve
sustainability goals. Higher quality standards for a variety
of products and environmental standards among corpora-
tions is a consensus of many industries. The panel called
for multiple stakeholder interaction where protection of
the oceans is concerned including further industry educa-
27
The Global Forum on Oceans, Coasts, and Islands
Massachusetts, USA. ICO has been the Secretariat of the
GLOBAL FORUM ORGANIZATION
Global Forum since 2004.
AND CONTACT INFORMATION
ICO is governed by an international Board of Directors,
The Global Forum on Oceans, Coasts, and Islands is gov-
noted by a double asterisk in the List of Steering
erned by the following:
Committee members in the Appendix. All members of the
ICO Board of Directors are also members of the Steering
1. Three Co-Chairs:
Committee of the Global Forum. The ICO Board of
Co-Chairs, Global Forum on Oceans, Coasts,
Directors provides operational guidance for ICO as the
and Islands:
Secretariat of the Global Forum.
Dr. Biliana Cicin-Sain, Head of Global Forum Secretariat
ICO is hosted at the Gerard J. Mangone Center for Marine
Director, Gerard J. Mangone Center for Marine Policy
Policy, University of Delaware, USA. Center researchers,
University of Delaware, Newark, DE 19716 USA
together with partners around the world, coordinate the
Tel: 1-302-831-8086;
analytical functions of the Global Forum on Oceans,
Fax: 1-302-831-3668
Coasts, and Islands, the preparation of policy analyses on
Email: bcs@udel.edu
the implementation of global oceans agreements, and the
conduct of the Global Forum's global conferences, publica-
Dr. Patricio Bernal, Executive Secretary
tions, and educational activities.
Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission/UNESCO
1, rue Miollis Cedex 15
Contact Information
Paris, France
For additional information on the Global Forum on
Tel: 33-1-45-68-39-83
Oceans, Coasts, and Islands or to become engaged in
Email: p.bernal@unesco.org
Global Forum activities, please contact the Global Forum
Dr. Veerle Vandeweerd,
Secretariat.
Coordinator, GPA Coordination Office
and Head, Regional Seas Programme
Global Forum Secretariat
United Nations Environment Programme
International Coastal and Ocean Organization
P.O. Box 16227
c/o Gerard J. Mangone Center for Marine Policy,
2500 BE The Hague, The Netherlands
University of Delaware
Tel: +31 (0)70 311 4461
Newark, Delaware 19716, USA
Email: v.vandeweerd@unep.nl
Telephone: 1-302-831-8086;
Fax: 1-302-831-3668
2. The Steering Committee of the Global
Internet: http://www.globaloceans.org
Forum on Oceans, Coasts, and Islands
Contact:
The Steering Committee is comprised of 90 ocean leaders
from the governmental, intergovernmental, and non-
Dr. Biliana Cicin-Sain, Head of Secretariat (bcs@udel.edu)
governmental sectors from all regions of the world (please
Dr. Miriam Balgos, Program Coordinator
see list in Appendix 1).
(mbalgos@udel.edu)
The Steering Committee provides policy guidance for the
current and future activities of the Global Forum
3. The Secretariat of the Global Forum on
Oceans, Coasts, and Islands
The Secretariat of the Global Forum is the International
Coastal and Ocean Organization (ICO), an international
nongovernmental organization accredited to the United
Nations roster for the UN Commission on Sustainable
Development since 1993, and granted Special Consultative
Status with the Economic and Social Council of the United
Nations in July 2006. ICO is registered as a non-profit and
tax-exempt organization (501 (c) (3) in the State of
28
The Global Forum on Oceans, Coasts, and Islands
Appendix: Steering Committee, Global Forum on Oceans, Coasts, and Islands
CO-CHAIRS
Lori Ridgeway, Director-General,
Cristelle Pratt, Director, and Mary Power,
Vladimir Golitsyn, former Director,
International Coordination and Policy
Program Manager for Oceans and Islands,
UN Division for Ocean Affairs and the
Biliana Cicin-Sain**, Director, Gerard J.
Analysis, Department of Fisheries and
Pacific Islands Applied Geoscience
Law of the Sea
Mangone Center for Marine Policy,
Oceans, Canada, and Camille Mageau,
Commission (SOPAC), Fiji
University of Delaware, and Head of
Lynne Hale, Director, Marine Strategy,
Director, Marine Ecosystems Conservation
Secretariat, Global Forum
Diane Quarless, Chief,
The Nature Conservancy
Branch, Department of Fisheries and
Small Island Developing States Unit,
Patricio A. Bernal**, Executive-Secretary,
Art Hanson, former Ministerial Ocean
Oceans, Canada
UNDESA
Intergovernmental Oceanographic
Ambassador, Department of Fisheries and
Mario Ruivo, Intersectorial Oceanographic
Commission, UNESCO, Paris, France
John Richardson, Head, Maritime Policy
Oceans, Canada, member of the Canadian
Commission, Ministry of Science,
Task Force, European Commission
Foundation for Innovation (CFI)
Veerle Vandeweerd**, Head, Regional Seas
Technology and Higher Education, Portugal
Programme, United Nations Environment
Anne Rogers, United Nations Department
Gregor Hodgson, Director, Reef Check
Gi-Jun Han and Won-Tae Shin,
Programme (UNEP), and Coordinator,
of Economic and Social Affairs (UNDESA)
Paul Holthus, Executive Director and
Ministry of Maritime Affairs and Fisheries,
Global Programme of Action for the
Jean-Claude Sainlos, Director,
President, Marine Aquarium Council,
Republic of Korea
Protection of the Marine Environment
Marine Environment Division, International
Hawaii
from Land-Based Activities, The Hague,
Indroyono Soesilo, Chairman, Agency for
Maritime Organization
Gunnar Kullenberg, Independent
Netherlands
Marine and Fisheries Research, Department
Eduard Sarukhanian, Director,
Consultant and former Director,
of Marine Affairs and Fisheries, Indonesia
World-Weather-Watch-Applications,
Intergovernmental Oceanographic
GOVERNMENTAL
Ambassador Enele S. Sopoaga, Tuvalu,
World Meteorological Organization (WMO),
Commission (IOC)
former Vice-Chair, Alliance of Small Island
Switzerland
David Balton, Deputy Assistant Secretary
Carl Lundin, Head,
States (AOSIS)
for Oceans and Fisheries, Bureau of Oceans,
Dann Sklarew, Director and Chief
IUCN Marine Programme
Chris Tompkins, Policy Adviser, Marine
U.S. Department of State
Technical Advisor, GEF, IW:LEARN
Dawn Martin, President, Sea Web, USA
and Waterways Division, Department of
Phil Burgess, Director, Cetacean Policy and
Asterio Takesy, Director,
Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
Gerald Miles, The Nature Conservancy,
Recovery, Department of the Environment
Secretariat for the Pacific Regional
(DEFRA), UK
Pacific Region, Brisbane, Australia
and Water Resources, Australia
Environment Programme
Iouri Oliounine, Executive Director,
Nguyen Chu Hoi, Director, Institute of
I
Khulood Tubaishat, Advisor,
NTERGOVERNMENTAL
International Ocean Institute, Malta
Fisheries Economics and Planning,
The Regional Organization for the
Pietro Parravano, President, Institute for
Ministry of Fisheries, Vietnam
Julian Barbiere and Stefano Belfiore,
Conservation of the Environment of the
Fisheries Resources, World Fisheries Forum
Intergovernmental Oceanographic
Red Sea and Gulf of Aden (PERSGA)
Aldo Cosentino, Director-General,
Commission, France
Sian Pullen, Independent Consultant, New
Directorate for Nature Protection, Sea
Marjo Vierros, Visiting Professor, Institute
Zealand, and former Head of European and
Protection, Ministry for Environment
Chua Thia-Eng**, Regional Programme
of Advanced Studies, United Nations
Middle East Marine Program, World Wildlife
and Protection of the Territory, Italy
Director, Partnership in Environmental
University, Vancouver
Fund for Nature (WWF) International, UK
Management for the Seas of East Asia
Margaret Davidson, Director,
Eugenio Yunis, Chief,
(PEMSEA), IMO/UNDP/GEF, Philippines
Victoria Radchenko, Director,
Coastal Services Center, National Oceanic
Sustainable Development of Tourism, World
International Ocean Institute, Ukraine
and Atmospheric Administration
Ahmed Djoghlaf, Executive Secretary,
Tourism Organization
Tony Ribbink, Director, African Coelacanth
(NOAA), USA
Convention on Biological Diversity
A.H. Zakri, Director, Institute of Advanced
Ecosystem Programme (ACEP) Secretariat
Antonio Diaz de Leon, Director-General,
Al Duda, Senior Advisor, International
Studies, United Nations University,
Evelia Rivera-Arriaga, Centro de Ecologia,
Environmental, Regional Integration and
Waters, Global Environment Facility (GEF)
Yokohama, Japan
Pesquerias y Oceanographia del Golfo de
Sectoral Policy, Environment and Natural
Serge Garcia, Director, Marine Fisheries
Mexico (EPOMEX), Mexico
Resources Ministry (SEMARNAT), Mexico
Resources Division, Food and Agriculture
NONGOVERNMENTAL
Nirmal Jivan Shah, Chief Executive,
Caroline Hart, Department of
Organization (FAO)
Milton Asmus, International
Nature Seychelles
Conservation, New Zealand
Marea E. Hatziolos, Senior Coastal and
Representative, Brazilian Agency for
Alan Simcock, former Executive Director,
Elie Jarmache, Chargé de Mission,
Marine Specialist, Environment Department,
Coastal Management
OSPAR, and former Co-Chair, UN Open-
Secrétariat Général de la Mer, France
The World Bank
Awni Behnam, President,
ended Informal Consultative Process on
Magnus Johannesson, Secretary-General,
Indumathie Hewawasam**, Senior
International Ocean Institute, Malta
Oceans and the Law of the Sea
Ministry for the Environment, Iceland
Environmental Specialist, The World Bank
Charles A. Buchanan, Administrator
Kristian Teleki, International Coral Reef
Ambassador Jagdish Koonjul, Mauritius,
Andrew Hudson, Principal Technical
Luso-American Development Foundation,
Action Network, Switzerland
former Chair, Alliance of Small Island States
Advisor, International Waters, UNDP/GEF
Portugal
Hiroshi Terashima, Executive Director,
(AOSIS)
David Johnson, Executive Secretary,
Simon Cripps, Director,
Institute for Ocean Policy, Ocean Policy
Tom Laughlin, Deputy Director,
OSPAR Convention, London
Global Marine Programme, World Wide
Research Foundation, Japan
International Affairs Office, National
Vladimir Mamaev, GEF Regional Technical
Fund For Nature (WWF) International
Grant Trebble, African Marine and Coastal
Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
Advisor, UNDP, Europe and the CIS,
Richard Delaney**, Executive Director,
Resource Over-exploitation Prevention
(NOAA), USA
Slovak Republic
Center for Coastal Studies at Provincetown,
Strategy (AMCROPS), South Africa
Haiqing Li, Director, International Affairs,
Franklin McDonald, Adviser, United
USA
Philippe Vallette** and Manuel Cira,
State Oceanic Administration (SOA), China
Nations Environment Programme,
Annick de Marffy, former Director, UN
NAUSICAA (Centre National de la Mer),
John Low, Adviser to the Minister of
Caribbean Environment Programme
Division for Ocean Affairs and the Law of
France, and the World Ocean Network
Marine Resources for the Cook Islands
(UNEP/CEP), and former Director, National
the Sea
Environmental Policy Agency, Jamaica
David VanderZwaag, IUCN Specialist
Rejoice Mabudafhasi, Deputy Minister
Sylvia Earle, Chair, Deep Ocean
Group on Ocean Law and Governance
of Environmental Affairs and Tourism,
Vaclav Mikulka, Director, UN Division for
Exploration and Research (DOER), and
South Africa
Ocean Affairs and the Law of the Sea
Explorer-in-Residence, National Geographic
* Please note: Members of the Steering
Jan Mees, Director, Flanders Marine
Ali Mohamed, Coordinator, Coastal and
Society
Committee participate in their
Institute, Belgium
Marine Secretariat, New Partnership for
Charles Ehler, Consultant to UNESCO
Africa's Development (NEPAD), Kenya
individual capacities.
Guillermo Garcia Montero, President,
Julius Francis, Executive Secretary,
** Member, Board of Directors,
National Aquarium, Havana, Cuba
Satya Nandan, Secretary-General,
Western Indian Ocean Marine Science
International Seabed Authority, Jamaica
International Coastal and Ocean
Magnus Ngoile**Team Leader,
Association, Tanzania
Organization (Secretariat of the
Marine and Coastal Environmental
Tiago Pitta e Cunha, Member, Cabinet
Matthew Gianni, Political Advisor, Deep
Global Forum)
Management Project (MACEMP), Ministry
of Fisheries and Maritime Commissioner,
Sea Conservation Coalition, Netherlands
of Natural Resources and Tourism,
European Commission
Tanzania"
29
Invitation to Participate
Ocean leaders from governments, nongovernmental
organizations, the private sector, international and intergovern-
mental organizations, foundations, and scientific groups, are
kindly invited to express their interest in working with the Global
Forum and in noting the various kinds of contributions (such as
organizational, financial, knowledge, connections to networks,
artistic expression, contributions) they are prepared to make in the
common cause of achieving sustainable development of oceans,
coasts, and islands, by contacting the Co-Chairs.
www.globaloceans.org