Meeting the Commitments on Oceans, Coasts,
and Small Island Developing States
Made at the 2002 World Summit on
Sustainable Development:
How Well Are We Doing?
Biliana Cicin-Sain, Veerle Vandeweerd,
Patricio A. Bernal, Lindsey C. Williams,
and Miriam C. Balgos
The Global Forum on Oceans, Coasts and Islands
Co-Chairs' Report--Volume 1
Third Global Conference on Oceans,
Coasts, and Islands:
Moving the Global Oceans Agenda Forward
UNESCO, Paris, January 23-28, 2006
Major Organizers and Sponsors
Other Conference Supporters
Portugal
Flemish Government, Belgium
Third Global Conference on Oceans, Coasts, and Islands:
Moving the Global Oceans Agenda Forward
January 23-28, 2006, UNESCO, Paris
Conference Co-Chairs: Dr. Biliana Cicin-Sain, Co-Chair and Head of Secretariat, Global Forum on Oceans,
Coasts, and Islands, and Director, Gerard J. Mangone Center for Marine Policy, University of Delaware; Dr.
Veerle Vandeweerd, Director, UNEP Regional Seas Programme, and Coordinator, UNEP
Global Programme of Action for the Protection of the Marine Environment from Land-based Activities;
and Dr. Patricio A. Bernal, Executive Secretary, Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission, UNESCO.
Notes to Readers
Conference Program Coordinators: Dr. Miriam C. Balgos, Program Coordinator,
This report should be quoted as: Biliana
Global Forum on Oceans, Coasts, and Islands; and Mr. Julian Barbiere, Programme Specialist,
Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission, UNESCO.
Cicin-Sain, Veerle Vandeweerd, Patricio A.
Conference Coordinator: Ms. Shelby M. Hockenberry, Coordinator,
Bernal, Lindsey C. Williams, and Miriam C.
Gerard J. Mangone Center for Marine Policy, University of Delaware.
Balgos, Meeting the Commitments on
Conference Secretariats: International Coastal and Ocean Organization (The Secretariat of the Global Forum
Oceans, Coasts, and Small Island
on Oceans, Coasts, and Islands) hosted at the Gerard J. Mangone Center for Marine Policy, University of Delaware,
USA, and Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission, United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural
Developing States Made at the 2002 World
Organization (UNESCO).
Summit on Sustainable Development:
How Well Are We Doing? Co-Chairs' Report--
Acknowledgements
Volume 1, Third Global Conference on
We acknowledge, with sincere thanks, the financial and other support received from the following
organizations and individuals. Without their support and dedication to advancing the global oceans
Oceans, Coasts and Islands, June 2006.
agenda, this effort would not have been possible.
A companion publication, Reports from the
GEF MSP Fostering a Global Dialogue on Oceans, Coasts, and Small Island Developing
Third Global Conference on Oceans, Coasts,
States (SIDS), and on Freshwater-Coastal-Marine Interlinkages
and Islands: Moving the Global Oceans
Major Organizers and Sponsors:
Flemish Government and Flemish Minister for
Agenda Forward, by Biliana Cicin-Sain, Veerle
Economy, Enterprise, Science, Innovation and
Global Environment Facility
Vandeweerd, Patricio A. Bernal, Lindsey C.
Foreign Trade, Belgium
GEF International Waters Learning Exchange and
Williams, Miriam C. Balgos, and Julian
Secretaría de Medio Ambiente y Recursos Naturales,
Resource Network (IW:LEARN)
Mexico
Barbiere, Eds., Co-Chairs' Report Volume 2,
Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission, UNESCO
Consejo Consultivo del Agua, Mexico
Third Global Conference on Oceans, Coasts,
UNEP Global Programme of Action for the Protection of
Centro de Ecología, Pesquerías y Oceanografía
the Marine Environment from Land-based Activities
and Islands, June 2006, is also available from
del Golfo de Mexico, Mexico
Canadian Department of Fisheries and Oceans
The Nature Conservancy
the Global Forum on Oceans, Coasts,
U.S. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
The Nippon Foundation, Japan
and Islands.
Gerard J. Mangone Center for Marine Policy,
South Pacific Applied Geoscience Commission
University of Delaware
To obtain these publications, please contact
Partnerships in Environmental Management for the Seas
World Ocean Network
of East Asia
Ms. Shelby Hockenberry
International Coastal and Ocean Organization
New Partnership for Africa's Development/Coastal
Gerard J. Mangone Center for Marine Policy
Other Conference Supporters:
and Marine Coordination Unit
University of Delaware,
General Directorate for Nature Protection,
IOC Sub-Commission for the Caribbean and
Ministry for the Environment and Territory, Italy
Adjacent Regions
Newark, Delaware 19716 USA,
Portuguese Committee for Intergovernmental
United Nations Educational, Scientific and
telephone: 1-302-831-8086,
Oceanographic Commission
Cultural Organization (UNESCO)
fax: 1-302-831-3668
or via email at smhocken@udel.edu.
We acknowledge, with sincere thanks, individuals who played, with great dedication,
a key role in the organization of the Global Conference:
Roni Amelan
Virginie Bujoli
Shelby Hockenberry
Noura Sadi
Miriam Balgos
Marie-Laure de Langhe
Fabio Ledda
Stephanie Scholl
Julian Barbiere
Fanny Douvere
Christy Loper
LaVerne Walker
Stefano Belfiore
Charles Ehler
Bernice McLean
Amanda Wenczel
Patrice Boned
Anamarija Frankic
Marina N'Deye
Lindsey Williams
Virginie Bonnet
Sonia Guiraud
Isabel Torres de Noronha
Kateryna Wowk
Jorge Gutierrez Lara
Brandon Riff
Meeting the Commitments on Oceans, Coasts, and
Small Island Developing States Made at the 2002
World Summit on Sustainable Development:
How Well Are We Doing?
By Biliana Cicin-Sain1, Veerle Vandeweerd2, Patricio A. Bernal3,
Lindsey C. Williams4, and Miriam C. Balgos4
Co-Chairs' Report--Volume 1
Third Global Conference on Oceans,
Coasts, and Islands: Moving the Global Oceans Agenda Forward
UNESCO, Paris, January 23-28, 2006
Global Forum on Oceans, Coasts, and Islands
June 2006
Second Printing, with Corrections: October 2006
(Editors' Note: Any errors or omissions in this report are the responsibility
of the authors in their individual capacities.)
1University of Delaware, Global Forum Co-Chair and Head of Secretariat;
2UNEP Global Programme of Action for the Protection of the Marine Environment from
Land-based Activities and Regional Seas Programme, Global Forum Co-Chair;
3Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission, UNESCO, Global Forum Co-Chair;
4University of Delaware
Table of Contents
Foreword ..................................................................................................................................................iv
List of Acronyms ........................................................................................................................................vi
Summary ....................................................................................................................................................2
Progress on World Summit on Sustainable Development Goals and Millennium Development
Goals Related to Oceans, Coasts, and Islands
The Ecosystem Approach and Integrated Coastal and Ocean Management ......................................14
Protection of the Marine Environment from Land-Based Activities....................................................22
Biodiversity and Marine Protected Areas ..........................................................................................26
Small Island Developing States and Oceans ......................................................................................30
Sustainable Development of Fisheries ..............................................................................................36
Integrated Water Resource Management............................................................................................42
Global Marine Assessment ................................................................................................................46
Coordination of UN Activities on Oceans..........................................................................................50
The Millennium Development Goals: Improving Peoples' Lives in Coastal Areas ..............................54
References ................................................................................................................................................58
About the Global Forum on Oceans, Coasts, and Islands ........................................................................61
Steering Committee, Working Groups, and Roundtables of the Global Forum ........................................62
on Oceans, Coasts, and Islands
Local Organizing Committee and Global Forum Secretariat ....................................................................65
iii
Foreword
The world's political leaders made If no periodic assessments on oceans and
significant political progress at the
coasts are made prior to 2014, it may be
global level at the 2002 World Summit
too late as:
on Sustainable Development in
· trends in the decline of ocean
Johannesburg, South Africa, by agreeing
ecosystems might continue on a
to a common set of goals and targets
downward spiral;
(many with specific time frames) for
oceans (covering 72% of the Earth's sur-
· some fisheries could be fished to the
face); coastal areas (where half of the
point of irreversible damage;
world's population lives), and the 43
· coastal communities could
small island developing States (SIDS) which
continue to be plagued with problems
are especially dependent on their ocean
of poverty, pollution, unhealthful con-
and coastal resources. The adoption of
ditions, and lack of opportunities for
these targets/goals was a very significant
economic and social advancement;
development, especially taking into con-
sideration that oceans, coasts, and SIDS
· the small island developing States
were not initially on the agenda for the
(small in land size, but large Ocean
World Summit, and only became placed
States) could face significant threats
on that agenda through the mobilization
to the ocean, coastal, and freshwater
of many NGOs, governments, UN agen-
resources on which they depend,
cies, and others.
sfrom overexploitation,
inadequate planning and manage-
In the Millennium Development Goals,
ment, and climate change;
most recently reaffirmed in 2005, the
world's political leaders agreed on a spe-
· marine biodiversity losses could
cific set of goals with targets and timeta-
continue, threatening the survival
bles emphasizing measures to lift the
of species and the attendant
world's poor out of poverty and to
human benefits.
achieve healthful conditions for all. For
It is, therefore, incumbent on all parts of
oceans, the MDG called for improved
the global oceans community to come
cooperation and coordination at all levels
together to make informal assessments of
to address oceans and seas issues in an
the status of oceans, coasts, and SIDS,
integrated manner and promotion of
and of the status of implementation of
integrated management and sustainable
major international targets to improve
development of the oceans and seas.
oceans, coasts, and SIDS. While national
As is well known, the UN Commission
governments bear primary responsibility
on Sustainable Development (CSD) pro-
for the implementation of WSSD targets,
vides the major forum for oversight of
international agencies, nongovernmental
fulfillment of WSSD goals. However, the
organizations, industry, scientists, and
CSD is not scheduled to review and
others also play a key role in fostering the
assess progress in fulfilling goals related
enabling conditions that make for suc-
to oceans and coasts until 2014-2015.
cessful implementation. Hence, the sub-
iv
title of this publication is "How Well Are
Forward, by Biliana Cicin-Sain, Veerle
We Doing?" referring to all parts of the
Vandeweerd, Patricio A. Bernal, Lindsey
global oceans community.
C. Williams, Miriam C. Balgos, and
Julian Barbiere, Eds., Co-Chairs'
This volume presents a summary of
Report--Volume 2, Third Global Con-
available information on progress made
ference on Oceans, Coasts and Islands,
(or lack thereof) and obstacles faced in
June 2006, brings together highlights
the implementation of the oceans, coasts,
from the Global Conference and sum-
and SIDS targets of the World Summit on
maries of discussions and recommenda-
Sustainable Development, the Millenn-
tions on next steps on the attainment of
ium Development Goals, and other WSSD and MDG ocean goals.
related agreements. In many cases, the
available information is sketchy and
Our grateful thanks and appreciation
incomplete, reflecting the lack of global
go to the sponsors of the Global
attention to gathering the requisite
Conference and the Global Forum, espe-
assessment data, in the form of interna-
cially the Global Environment Facility
tional and national reports, on the WSSD
(sponsors are listed on the back of the report
and MDG goals.
cover), to members of the Global Forum
Steering Committee, Local Organizing
The analysis is based, in large part, on
Committee, and the other Committees
the presentations and discussions which
and Roundtables of the Global Forum
took place at the Third Global Conference on
(listed at the end of the report) who steered
Oceans, Coasts, and Islands: Moving the Global
the global conference process, to the
Oceans Agenda Forward, organized by the
Ministers and other high-level national
Global Forum on Oceans, Coasts, and
officials who presented their national
Islands, and held at UNESCO, Paris,
and local realities at the Global
January 23-28, 2006. The Conference
Conference, and to all the Paris confer-
brought together 403 participants from
ence participants for their dedication and
78 countries, including key national
commitment to advancing the global
level officials, regional organizations, UN
oceans agenda. Special thanks go to a
agencies, donors, industry, nongovern-
number of individuals (listed on the back of
mental organizations, scientists, and
the report cover) who played, with great
journalists. Conference coverage was
dedication, a key role in the organization
provided by the Earth Negotiations
of the Global Conference and in the
Bulletin, a summary is available at
preparation of this report.
http://www.iisd.ca/download/pdf/sd/ym
bvol68num3e.pdf. Conference presenta-
tions, reports and other materials are
Co-Chairs, Global Forum on Oceans,
available at http://www.globaloceans.org.
Coasts, and Islands
A companion publication-- Reports from
Dr. Biliana Cicin-Sain
the Third Global Conference on Oceans, Coasts,
Dr. Patricio A. Bernal
and Islands: Moving the Global Oceans Agenda
Dr. Veerle Vandeweerd
v
List of Acronyms
ACC SOCA
Subcommittee on Oceans and
GPA
Global Programme of Action for
Coastal Areas of the
the Protection of the Marine
Administrative Committee on
Environment from Land-based
Coordination
Activities
AOSIS
Alliance of Small Island States
GWP
Global Water Partnership
AWC
Arab Water Council
H2O
Hilltops-2-Oceans
BPoA
Barbados Programme of Action
IAEA International
Atomic
on the Sustainable Development
Energy Agency
of Small Island Developing
ICARM
Integrated Coastal Area and
States
River Basin Management
CBD
Convention on Biological
ICP
United Nations Open-ended
Diversity
Informal Consultative Process
CBD COP8
Eighth Conference of the Parties
on Oceans and the Law of
to the Convention on Biological
the Sea
Diversity
IFA
Innovative Financing
CEB
Chief Executive Board
Arrangements
CEDARE
Centre for Environment and
IHO International
Hydrographic
Development for the Arab
Organization
Region and Europe
IISD
International Institute for
CI Conservation
International
Sustainable Development
CPLP
Community of Portuguese-
ILO
International Labour
Speaking Nations
Organization
CSD
Commission on Sustainable
IMO International
Maritime
Development
Organization
DEFRA
Department for Environment
IOC-UNESCO Intergovernmental
Food and Rural Affairs, UK
Oceanographic Commission
EBFM Ecosystem-Based
Fisheries
United Nations Educational,
Management
Scientific and Cultural
ECOWAS
Economic Community of
Organization
West African States
IPOAs
International Plans of Action
EEZs
Exclusive Economic Zones
ISA
International Seabed Authority
ENB
Earth Negotiations Bulletin
IUCN
World Conservation Union
ESCWA
UN Economic and Social
IUU
Illegal, Unreported, and
Commission for Western Asia
Unregulated Fishing
FAO
Food and Agriculture
IWRM
Integrated Water Resource
Organization
Management
GCLME
Guinea Current Large Marine
JPOI
Johannesburg Plan of
Ecosystem
Implementation
GEF
Global Environment Facility
LBS
Land-based sources
GMA
Global Marine Assessment
MACEMP
Marine and Coastal
GNI
Gross National Income
Environmental Management
Project
MDG
Millennium Development Goals
MEY
Maximum Economic Yield
vi
MPA
Marine Protected Area
UNDOALOS
United Nations Division for
MSI
Mauritius Strategy for the
Ocean Affairs and the Law
Further Implementation of the
of the Sea
Barbados Programme of Action
UNDP
United Nations Development
for the Sustainable Development
Programme
of Small Island Developing
UNEP
United Nations Environment
States
Programme
MSY
Maximum Sustainable Yield
UNEP/GPA
United Nations Environment
NGO Non-governmental
organization
Programme/Global Programme
NPAs
National Programmes of Action
of Action for the Protection of
NPOAs
National Plans of Action
the Marine Environment from
Land-based Activities
ODA
Official Development Assistance
UNESCO
United Nations Educational
OECD
Organization of Economic
Scientific and Cultural
Cooperation and Development
Organization
OSPAR
Commission for the Protection
UNESCO/IHE United Nations Educational,
of the Marine Environment of
Scientific and Cultural
the North-East Atlantic
Organization/Institute for Water
PADH
Physical Alteration and
Education
Destruction of Habitats
UNFCCC
United Nations Framework
PIROF
Pacific Islands Regional Ocean
Convention on Climate Change
Forum
UNGA
United Nations General
PIROF-ISA
Pacific Islands Regional Ocean
Assembly
Framework for Integrated
UNHABITAT
United Nations Human
Strategic Action
Settlements Programme
PRSPs
Poverty Reduction Strategy
UNIDO
United Nations Industrial
Plans
Development Organization
RFMOs
Regional Fisheries Management
UNU
United Nations University
Organizations
WHO
World Health Organization
SAP Wastewater Strategic Action Plan on
Municipal Wastewater
WIO-LaB Addressing
Land-based
Activities in the Western Indian
SIDS
Small Island Developing States
Ocean
SIDSNET
Internet service on small island
WMO
World Meteorological
issues
Organization
UCC-Water
UNEP Collaborating Centre on
WSSCC
Water Supply and Sanitation
Water and Environment
Collaborative Council
UNCLOS
United Nations Convention on
WSSD
World Summit on Sustainable
the Law of the Sea
Development
UNCSD
United Nations Commission on
WTO
World Trade Organization
Sustainable Development
WWF
World Wildlife Fund
UNCTAD
United Nations Conference on
Trade and Development
WWF4
Fourth World Water Forum
UNDESA
United Nations Department of
Economic and Social Affairs
vii
Summary
Our planet's fragile oceans and coasts are too
economically and socially valuable to allow resource
depletion to continue and threats to sustainability to rise.
Many coastal communities and nations are simply living on
borrowed time before the $60 billion dollar annual internation-
al trade in fisheries collapses, depleted groundwater supplies
for coastal cities run dry, changing climate swamps coastal
communities, and burgeoning coastal urban populations
overwhelm their degraded and polluted natural resource
base. Action is needed yesterday, not tomorrow.
--Dr. Alfred M. Duda,
Senior Advisor, International Waters,
Global Environment Facility
Background
The 2006 Global Conference was the
Development on Oceans, Coasts, and Small
third in a series begun in 2001. The first
Island Developing States, was useful in
The Third Global Conference on Oceans, Coasts,
conference, Oceans and Coasts at Rio+10:
spurring the process of initial implemen-
and Islands: Moving the Global Oceans Agenda
Toward the 2002 World Summit on Sustainable
tation of the WSSD commitments and
Forward, organized by the Global Forum
Development (WSSD), Johannesburg
pointing to promising initiatives. This
on Oceans, Coasts, and Islands, was held
(December 2001), was useful in placing
meeting proved especially important
January 23-28, 2006 at UNESCO in
ocean, coastal, and SIDS issues on the
because the Commission on Sustainable
Paris, France. The Conference included
WSSD agenda. As noted in the UN
Development is not scheduled to exam-
over 400 participants from 78 countries,
Secretary General's report on Oceans and
ine ocean issues until 2014-2015.
and greatly benefited from the participa-
the Law of the Sea (March 3, 2003),
tion of 37 ministers and high level gov-
Relationship to Other Global Efforts
(A/58/65): 7.
ernment representatives (see Box). The
The Third Global Conference on Oceans,
Conference brought together key nation-
The persistent efforts of all interested groups,
Coasts, and Islands built on the two previ-
al level officials, regional organizations,
beginning with the Global Conference on
ous global conferences, and is directly
UN agencies, donors, industry, non-gov-
Oceans and Coasts at Rio+10, persuaded the
related to a number of other internation-
ernmental organizations, scientists and
preparatory meetings for the Johannesburg
al efforts and global conferences.
journalists to assess progress achieved
Conference that not only was UNCLOS not the
The Ocean Policy Summit International
and obstacles faced in the implementa-
end of the road, but also that many of the com-
Conference on Integrated Ocean Policy: National
tion of international targets on oceans,
mitments of the UNCED at Rio remained
and Regional Experiences, Prospects, and
coasts, and small island developing states
unfulfilled.
Emerging Practices (held in Lisbon,
(SIDS), especially those related to the
Following the WSSD, the Global For-
Portugal, on October 10-14, 2005). This
2002 World Summit on Sustainable
um's second major international conference explicitly considered
Development (WSSD), the Millennium
conference, the Global Conference on advances in the WSSD and MDG goals of
Development Goals (MDGs), and other
Oceans, Coasts, and Islands: Mobilizing for
achieving integrated oceans governance
related agreements.
Implementation of the Commitments Made at at national and regional levels, and made
the 2002 World Summit on Sustainable
2
Ministers and High-Level Participants at Global Conference
considerable progress in the collective
understanding of how national and
Hon. Mr. Joseph Konzolo Munyao
Mr. Fernando Almuna
regional ocean policies may be enhanced
Minister of Livestock and Fisheries Development, Kenya
Undersecretary of Navy, Chile
and further expanded. Results from The
Dr. Paul Nemitz
Mr. Celestino Andrade
Ocean Policy Summit were featured at
Deputy Head of the Maritime Task Force, European
Director of Ports, Enaport,
the Paris Global Conference and are also
Commission
São Tomé and Príncipe
partially reported in this volume.
Dr. Magnus Ngoile
Hon. Dr. Manuel Lobo Antunes
Director-General of the National Environment
The 4th World Water Forum (held in Mexico
Secretary of State for National Defense and Maritime
Management Council, Tanzania
Affairs, Portugal
City, Mexico, on March 16-22, 2006).
Hon. Dr. Aristides Ocante da Silva
Results of the Paris global conference pro-
Hon. Mr. Victor Manuel Borges
Minister of Natural Resources,
Deputy Minister of Fisheries, Mozambique
vided input to the 4th World Water Forum
Guinea-Bissau
particularly regarding specific recommen-
Hon. Mr. Ben Bradshaw
Hon. Madame Nelly Olin
MP, Minister for Local Environment, Marine, and Animal
dations for better linking freshwater to
Minister for Environment, France
Welfare, Department for Environment, Food and Rural
coasts to oceans and development of a
Affairs, United Kingdom
Amb. Prof. Albert Owusu-Sarpong
joint program of work involving freshwa-
Ambassador of Ghana to France, Ghana; on behalf of
Dr. William Brennan
ter and ocean institutions.
Deputy Assistant Secretary for International Affairs,
Hon. Ms. Christine Churcher
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
Minister for Environment and Science, Ghana
The Second Intergovernmental Review (IGR-2)
(NOAA), United States
Mr. Rudolf Noronha
of the Global Programme of Action for the
Dr. Peter Bridgewater
Director, Program of Environmental and Territorial
Protection of the Marine Environment from Land-
Secretary-General, Ramsar Convention on Wetlands,
Management, Ministry of the Environment, Brazil
based Activities (GPA), to be held in Beijing,
Switzerland
Ambassador Gunnar Palsson, Iceland
China, on October 16-20, 2006. The cur-
Dr. Aldo Cosentino
Dr. Rolph Payet
rent report, including specific recommen-
Director-General, Nature Protection, Ministry for the
Director of the Ministry of the Environment, Seychelles
dations for further advancement of the
Environment and Territory, Italy
Ms. Lori Ridgeway
GPA will be presented at the IGR-2 in
Hon. Mr. Henri Djombo
Director-General, International Coordination and Policy
Beijing.
Minister of Economy, Forestry, and the Environment,
Analysis, Department of Fisheries and Oceans, Canada,
Congo
The WSSD and MDG targets on
and Co-Chair, UN Open Ended Informal Consultative
oceans, coasts, and SIDS
Dr. Maitree Duangsawasdi
Process on Oceans and the Law of the Sea
Director General, Department of Marine and Coastal
Prof. Jeffrey D. Sachs,
The major WSSD and MDG targets and
Resources, Ministry of Natural Resources and
Director, Earth Institute at Columbia University, and
timetables related to oceans, coasts, and
Environment, Thailand
Special Advisor to the UN Secretary-General on the
SIDS are noted in Table 1. These targets
Mr. Xavier de la Gorce
Millennium Development Goals
represent an important advance because
General Secretary of the Sea, France
Mr. Surachi Sasisuwan
they have enshrined, as global impera-
Hon. Mr. Pavlo Ignatenko
Chief Inspector General, Ministry of Natural Resources
tives by the world's political leaders,
Minister, Ministry of Environmental Protection, Ukraine
and Environment, Thailand
many of the goals previously posited by
Hon. Dr. Magnus Johannesson
Hon. Mr. Zoran Sikic
expert groups and specialized agencies.
Secretary-General, Ministry for the Environment, Iceland
Assistant Minister and Chief of Conservation, Ministry of
Culture, Croatia
There is not a global consensus reached at
Mr. Willie John
the highest political levels that there is an
Chief Executive Officer, Cook Islands
Mr. Keon-Soo Sohn
Director, Marine Environment Division, Ministry of
urgent need to take specific action to
Amb. Jagdish Koonjul
Maritime Affairs and Fisheries, Republic of Korea
achieve sustainability of oceans, coasts,
Ambassador, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Mauritius, and
outgoing Chair, Alliance of Small Island States
Amb. Enele Sopoaga
and of small island developing States.
Permanent Mission of Tuvalu to the United Nations,
Hon. Mr. Thierno Lo
The WSSD and MDG targets and timeta-
and Vice-Chair, Alliance of Small Island States
Minister of Environment and Natural Protection, Senegal
bles, however, are not "self-implement-
Mr. Halldor Thorgeirsson, Deputy Executive Secretary,
Hon. Mrs. Rejoice Mabudafhasi
ing." Instead, governments around the
United Nations Framework Convention on Climate
Deputy Minister of Environmental Affairs and Tourism,
Change
world need much support and collabora-
South Africa
tion from all parts of the oceans, coasts,
Hon. Mr. Erik Uandikov
Hon. Mrs. Fientje Moerman
Vice-Minister, Ministry of Environmental Protection,
and islands community--to operational-
Vice-Minister-President of the Flemish Government and
Republic of Kazakhstan
ize what needs to be done, to mobilize
Flemish Minister for Economy, Enterprise, Science,
Hon. Dr. Nguyen Viet Thang
the requisite knowledge and financial
Innovation and Foreign Trade, Belgium
Vice Minister of Fisheries, Vietnam
resources, and to maintain the high-level
Hon. Ms. Ragma Mshangarna
political support essential to achieve the
Ministry of Agriculture, Natural Resources, Environment
sorely needed "on-the-ground" improve-
and Cooperatives, Tanzania
3
Table 1. World Summit on Sustainable Development Goals
addressed in this report.
How to achieve sustainable
Johannesburg Plan of Implementation Goals and Targets
development of oceans,
Ecosystem Approach and Integrated Management
coasts, and islands is an essential
N Encourage the application of the ecosystem approach by 2010 for the sustainable development of the oceans,
question for the future of our
particularly the management of fisheries and conservation of biodiversity
N Promote integrated coastal and ocean management at the national level and encourage and assist countries
planet. As a principal source of
in developing ocean policies and mechanisms on integrated coastal management
protein for billions of people
N Assist developing countries in coordinating policies and programmes at the regional and sub-regional levels
aimed at conservation and sustainable management of fishery resources and implement integrated coastal
around the world, the oceans
area management plans, including through the development of infrastructure
and seas need to be effectively
Protection of the Marine Environment from Land-based Activities
protected against major threats,
N Advance implementation of the Global Programme of Action for the Protection of the Marine Environment
from Land-based Activities and the Montreal Declaration on the Protection of the Marine Environment from
such as coastal degradation
Land-based Activities, with particular emphasis in the period 2002-2006 on municipal wastewater, the physical
alteration and destruction of habitats, and nutrients, by actions at all levels
linked to demographic pressures;
Biodiversity and Marine Protected Areas
pollution from all sources (e.g.,
N To achieve by 2010 a significant reduction of the current rate of biodiversity loss at the global, regional and
land-based, marine, and
national level as a contribution to poverty alleviation and to the benefit of all life on earth
atmospheric); overexploitation of
N Develop and facilitate the use of diverse approaches and tools, including the ecosystem approach, the elimi-
nation of destructive fishing practices, the establishment of marine protected areas consistent with internation-
fishery resources; the introduc-
al law and based on scientific information, including representative networks by 2012
tion of non-indigenous species...
Small Island Developing States
N Undertake a comprehensive review of the implementation of the Barbados Programme of Action for the
None of us can act alone in
Sustainable Development of Small Island Developing States in 2004
addressing these issues...
Fisheries
All of us together must address
N Implement the FAO International Plan of Action to Prevent, Deter and Eliminate Illegal, Unreported, and
Unregulated Fishing (IUU) by 2004
these challenges, profiting from
N Implement the FAO International Plan of Action for the Management of Fishing Capacity by 2005
the experiences of other coun-
N Eliminate subsidies that contribute to illegal, unreported, and unregulated fishing and to overcapacity
tries, and defining together what
N Maintain or restore depleted fish stocks to levels that can produce their maximum sustainable yield on an
urgent basis and where possible no later than 2015
should be done with the 3/4 of
Integrated Water Resource Management
the Earth which is oceans.
N Develop integrated water resource management (IWRM) plans by 2005
--Honorable Madame Nelly Olin,
Global Marine Assessment
Minister of Ecology and Sustainable
Development, France
N Establish a regular process under the United Nations for global reporting and assessment of the state of the
marine environment, including socioeconomic aspects, by 2004
Coordination of UN Activities on Oceans
N Establish an effective, transparent and regular inter-agency coordination mechanism on ocean and coastal
issues within the United Nations system
4
oceans, especially regarding the cross-
Table 2. Millennium Development
cutting goals (e.g. achieving ecosystem
Goals and Targets addressed
The bottom line is that these goals
management and integrated ocean and
in this report.
coastal management). Periodic data
are a tall order. The challenge is to
Goal 1: Eradicate extreme poverty
collection does take place in the case
and hunger
consider: (1) horizontal integration
of biodiversity conservation (through
N Target 1: Reduce by half the proportion of people
the Conservation on Biological
across players and institutions;
living on less than a dollar a day by 2015
Diversity), fisheries issues (FAO),
N Target 2: Reduce by half the proportion of people
and issues related to land-based
(2) vertical integration(technical
who suffer from hunger by 2015
sources of marine pollution (through
through to political); (3) integration
the Global Programme of Action for
Goal 7: Ensure environmental
the Protection of the Marine Environ-
across the available toolkit;
sustainability
ment from Land-Based Activities).
(4) geographical integration in order
N Target 9: Integrate the principles of sustainable
· There is no regular collection and
development into country policies and programmes
to link together watershed to coastal
and reverse the losses of environmental resources.
assessment of information on the social
and economic well-being of coastal
zone to high seas; and (5) integra-
N Target 10: Halve by 2015 the proportion of people
communities (where 50% of the world's
without sustainable access to safe drinking water
tion across the pillars of sustainable
population lives), making it very diffi-
and basic sanitation.
cult to ascertain progress on
development (environmental,
Goal 8: Develop a global partnership for
Millennium Development Goals in the
development
economic and social).
context of oceans, coasts, and SIDS.
N Target 14: Address the special needs of landlocked
· Participants at the Global Conference
--Ms. Lori Ridgeway
countries and small island developing states (through
reported that in some instances, many
Director-General, International
the Program of Action for the Sustainable Develop-
Coordination and Policy Analysis,
national and international efforts are
ment of Small Island Developing States and 22nd
Department of Fisheries and Oceans,
General Assembly provisions).
underway to create the enabling con-
Canada
ditions for implementation of the
Added in 2005 through UNGA
goals, but that tangible outcomes are
Resolution 60/1
not yet evident.
logues. Conference participants were also
N Improve cooperation and coordination at all levels
given an opportunity to complete an
· Some of the goals are strongly linked
in order to address issues related to oceans and
informal multistakeholder survey during
and dependent on other WSSD/MDG
seas in an integrated manner and promote integrated
the global conference regarding their per-
management and sustainable development of the
goals. It is sometimes difficult to
ceptions on progress achieved on imple-
oceans and seas.
determine progress on one WSSD
mentation of global oceans targets. The
goal without understanding its rela-
distribution of survey responses (about
ments in the health and condition of
tionship to other WSSD/MDG goals
15% of conference participants filled out
marine ecosystems and in the well-being
and to the broader context.
the survey) is shown at the end of this
of coastal communities.
Nature of this report
Summary section. Although the response
Difficulties in assessing progress in
This report provides a synthesis of rate was low, the responses generally
the implementation of WSSD and
information available from various
reflect the information gathered on each
MDG ocean targets
sources on the implementation of
of the WSSD/MDG goals. It would be use-
It is difficult to assess progress in the
WSSD/MDG targets on oceans, and
ful to replicate the survey on a broader
implementation of WSSD and MDG tar-
whenever available, on each of the
scale and at other venues.
gets in the case of oceans, coasts, and
WSSD/MDG goals. The data contained in
Progress Achieved on the
SIDS for the following reasons:
the report are generally partial and incom-
plete, due to the absence of appropriate
WSSD/MDG Goals
· No evaluation frameworks, including
information. The report relies, in large
indicators, have been developed to
Ecosystem management and Integrat-
part, on the expert judgments of partici-
assess progress.
ed coastal and ocean management
pants gathered at the Global Conference
· No one institution has been charged
who came from all sectors of the global
These concepts are closely related and
with collecting, on a periodic basis,
ocean policy community and addressed
should be considered as highly comple-
national and international data on the
the questions of progress achieved (or
mentary. Both ecosystem management
entire range of issues related to
lack thereof) in a series of facilitated dia-
and integrated coastal and ocean man-
5
agement adopt a holistic, integrated
Global Programme of Action for the
with a mandate spanning these areas, it
approach covering both environmental
Protection of the Marine Environment
is expected that the next phase of work
and socio-economic dimensions, and are
from Land-Based Activities (GPA)
of the GPA will centrally address these
basically similar; however, the scale of
challenges.
The UNEP/GPA and the international
operation and level of management
community have provided substantive
Small Island Developing States
intervention might vary with respect to
guidance, support, and funding to
geographical scale.
The 2005 Mauritius International Meeting
nations in their attempts to devise and
providing a comprehensive review of
Regarding the ecosystem management
implement National Prtogrammes of
progress achieved on the 1994 Barbados
goal (with a 2010 target date), there have
Action (for control of land-based activi-
Programme of Action for the Sustainable
been significant efforts to operationalize
ties) (NPAs). As a result, over 60 coun-
Development of Small Island Developing
the concept, and to begin implementa-
tries are in the process of developing, or
States (BPoA) has been successfully carried
tion in a number of national cases and at
have finalized, their respective NPAs.
out and the Mauritius Strategy for the fur-
the regional level, especially in the case
Governments are facing a bottleneck in
ther implementation of the BPoA has been
of Large Marine Ecosystem projects. It is
terms of personnel resources available at
adopted. In this sense, the WSSD goal has
impossible at this point to note exactly
location to bring good ideas to the level
been fulfilled. But, the WSSD goal is
how many countries/regions have adopt-
of bankable, demand-driven projects.
intended to further the implementation of
ed the concept and begun implementa-
The leverage of locally available, domes-
the Barbados Programme of Action, while
tion, but it is clear that there has been a
tic financial resources is another con-
adding other elements regarding new
marked increase in the application of the
straint in realizing implementation activ-
issues that have arisen since 1994. In the
concept of ecosystem-based manage-
ities on the ground.
long-term, the issue is actual implementa-
ment and integrated coastal and ocean
Nevertheless, the number of countries
tion of the Mauritius Strategy. Rapid
management in addressing cross-cutting
working on NPAs for GPA implementa-
implementation will be dependent on the
environmental and sustainable develop-
tion indicates that countries recognize
political will of SIDS leaders, and on the
ment issues worldwide.
the need for and are embarking on
provision of adequate financial resources
Regarding integrated coastal and ocean
national level planning with respect to
and implementation assistance from rele-
management, there is considerable expe-
the GPA. A next step is to ensure that
vant international entities, and the efficient
rience with coastal management covering
these issues are embedded in the MDG-
use of these resources by SIDS. It should
land and nearshore waters, with about
based Poverty Reduction Strategy Plans
be noted that the level of Overseas
100 countries having established such
(PRSPs).
Development Assistance to SIDS has
programs. With regard to integrated
declined by 50% since 1994. Rapid imple-
The First Intergovernmental Review of
management of ocean waters further off-
mentation of the Mauritius Strategy will
the GPA (held in 2001) facilitated the
shore encompassing the entire Exclusive
require a new infusion of development
recognition of the GPA as a valuable tool
Economic Zone, a growing number of
assistance support.
for furthering ecosystem approaches to the
countries--about 40--are developing or
management of oceans, coasts, and
Regarding ocean and coastal manage-
are implementing integrated national
islands. During the Second Inter-
ment in SIDS countries, it is clear that
ocean policies covering the EEZ areas.
governmental Review of the GPA (to be
most SIDS countries are keenly aware of
While a timetable exists for applying the
held October 16-20, 2006 in Beijing,
the importance of the marine environ-
ecosystem approach (2010), no similar
China), progress achieved to date will be
ment and its resources to their sustain-
target exists for promoting integrated
reviewed and the programme of work for
able development and economic stability.
coastal and ocean management at the
the period 2007-2011 will be developed.
Institutional capacity in integrated
national level. Such a timetable should
This review presents a key opportunity to
coastal and ocean management, howev-
be established.
advance the application of ecosystem-
er, is constrained by weak institutions
based management and integrated coastal
and administration processes as well as
Developing nations, SIDS, and countries
and ocean management by recognizing the
lack of human, technical and financial
in economic transition, in particular,
inextricable link among freshwater,
resources to develop and implement
need enhanced assistance and collabora-
coastal, and ocean ecosystems.
ocean and coastal policies. Many nations
tion from the international community
lack specific institutions or administra-
in the development of capacity for
Participants at the Global Conference and
tive processes to implement a cross-cut-
ecosystem-based integrated ocean and
in the 4th World Water Forum made ting approach to planning and manage-
coastal management.
specific recommendations for creating
ment of oceans and coasts.
linkages among management regimes for
watersheds, river basins, coasts, and
No SIDS has delimited its EEZ due to
oceans. As the main global programme
lack of capacity and/or boundary delimi-
6
tation conflicts with neighboring states.
problem on the part of specific nations,
instead mobilize support towards the
Only 20% of SIDS have dedicated coastal
international agencies, and ministerial
effective implementation of fisheries man-
management institutions; and only 7%
efforts such as the High Seas Task Force.
agement regimes.
have enacted coastal legislation. Most
The High Seas Task Force has put for-
Regarding the long-term goal of main-
SIDS have not developed EEZ manage-
ward very specific suggestions which
taining or restoring depleted fish stocks
ment plans; rather, they have created
could make a substantial difference if
and the broad goal of achieving ecosys-
localized plans to manage fisheries and
they are picked up by nations and
tem management of fisheries, a growing
pollution issues. The SIDS countries face
accepted by industry. As the High Seas
acceptance of the ecosystem approach to
significant difficulties in surveillance and
Task Force notes, it will be difficult to
fisheries appears to be indeed taking
enforcement within their EEZs, due to
meet the WSSD goals while it is still prof-
place among national governments and
logistical and financial constraints, as
itable for individuals and organizations
international organizations. Indeed, a
well as the expansive nature of the areas
to engage in these practices.
paradigm shift may be taking place--
they control. Fisheries enforcement with-
The continuation of these activities is
fisheries matters have traditionally been
in EEZs is thus a primary area of concern
fuelled by the increasing demand for fish
considered in a highly sectoral and sepa-
and difficulty.
products, fishing overcapacity, and weak
rate manner, but now key fishery practi-
Global conference participants also
national governance, and remains unre-
tioners are moving toward a broader
underlined the need for a SIDS-driven
solved in part because of the lack of
ecosystem concept which also takes into
mechanism to provide operational guid-
political will to address the root causes.
account other uses and resources of
ance, mobilization of support, oversight,
Once these activities are made unprof-
ocean and coastal areas. There are
and monitoring and reporting on
itable or too financially risky to under-
encouraging signs that the groundwork
progress (or lack thereof) in the imple-
take, it will be far easier to reach the
is being laid for attaining the enabling
mentation of the Mauritius Strategy.
goals. There has also been some progress
conditions which will lead to sustainable
Specific proposals for developing a for-
in national reform of fisheries manage-
fisheries development in 2015.
mal institutional structure for the
ment, especially with new market meas-
Protection of Marine Biodiversity and
Alliance of Small Island States (AOSIS),
ures, such as eco-labeling, that are being
Networks of Marine Protected Areas
which has championed the cause of SIDS
adopted both in developed and develop-
in all relevant intergovernmental fora,
ing countries.
Considering progress on the achievement
were advanced to insure the implemen-
of the WSSD biodiversity and marine pro-
Participation from the fishing industry as
tation of the Mauritius Strategy.
tected area goals, it seems that in this area
well as the fish processing and distribu-
tangible progress has been made since
Sustainable Fisheries Development
tion sectors is essential in order to
2002. Important initiatives are underway
achieve the WSSD goals. There are
Three-quarters of world fisheries are in
at both national and regional levels, and in
promising examples of companies taking
trouble. The fisheries targets set during
the national reports to the Convention on
action. For example, UNILEVER has
the World Summit on Sustainable
Biological Diversity, a large proportion of
pledged to only purchase fish products
Development represented a mix of very
nations reporting (71%) note that they
from sustainable sources and Wal-Mart
specific goals perhaps carrying unrealis-
have designated MPAs; and/or have plans
has announced it will only sell sustain-
tically early deadlines (2004 and 2005)
to improve existing MPAs; 51% report that
ably harvested fish products.
and the very complex and difficult to
development of an MPA system or net-
achieve long-term goal of maintaining or
With regard to controlling overcapacity
work is underway, while 29% report that
restoring depleted fish stocks by 2015.
and eliminating harmful subsidies, there is
an MPA system or network is already in
little tangible information on progress on
place.
With regard to the short-term goals of
these issues, but it would appear that there
controlling IUU fishing, controlling over-
Implementation of the WSSD biodiversity
is movement among some countries in
capacity and eliminating subsidies that
and MPA goals benefits from the connec-
shifting away from funding the construc-
contribute to IUU fishing and to overca-
tion to an international convention-- the
tion of fishing vessels that contribute to
pacity, only very modest tangible
Convention on Biological Diversity-- and
overcapacity in fishing fleets. However,
progress appears to have been made on
its Secretariat, which provide a well organ-
since the issue of subsidies has economic,
the ground.
ized structure and process for advancing
environmental and social ramifications,
biodiversity around the world. In this area,
With regards to IUU fishing, about 10%
governments and international bodies
too, there is good monitoring and regular
of nations have prepared or are prepar-
need to carefully study transfer policies in
reporting of progress on biodiversity con-
ing national action plans to address IUU
order to come up with viable approaches
servation through such means as the
fishing. Also, there is renewed enthusi-
that can further shift subsidies away from
national reports, the conference of the par
asm and impetus for addressing the IUU
increasing fishing capacity and effort, and
7
ties, and the scientific meetings. As noted,
efforts to meet the goals related to fish-
lishment of the global marine assessment
this is not the case with regard to many of
eries as well as the goals on integrated
will be taken at a meeting to be held just
the other WSSD goals.
ocean and coastal management and on
before the June 12-16, 2006 United
ecosystem management. These goals
Nations Open-ended Informal Consul-
Many challenges still remain in the estab-
should be considered mutually support-
tative Process on Oceans and the Law of
lishment of networks of marine protected
ing and, to the extent possible, they
the Sea meeting in New York. The first
areas, including, for example, insuffi-
should be considered as parts of a whole.
step will be the conduct of an
cient funding, inadequate awareness
"Assessment of Assessments," expected
about the value of the resources, lack of
Integrated Water Resources
to take two years, to develop a frame-
political will and lack of shared long-
Management
work and options for the regular GMA
term vision among stakeholders.
The bottom line is that progress is being
process.
It is also important to embed the creation
made on this key goal of securing water
While it is heartening to see that the
of MPAs within broader governance sys-
for all, while being responsive to environ-
process of establishing a Global Marine
tems of integrated ocean and coastal
mental and societal considerations. The
Assessment is moving some outstanding
management. These considerations are
good news, too, is that there is significant
issues/questions should be noted:
essential because the effectiveness of
engagement by global, regional, and
MPAs is not only influenced by the man-
national institutions to achieve this essen-
Timing of a global marine assessment. Given
agement of activities within the designat-
tial goal. There are also data available on
that the Assessment of Assessments is
ed areas, but also human activities that
this goal, not only from the global institu-
slated to take two years, and a first glob-
are sometimes far removed from the pro-
tions (Global Water Partnership), but also
al marine assessment at least four years,
tected area.
from regional and national institutions it is expected that the first GMA would
as well. Taking the results from the 2005
not be available until 2012 or later. In
Despite obstacles, globally there has been
Global Water Partnership survey, the
this interim period, one can expect grow-
a 3-5% increase in the rate of marine
results are encouraging: 21% of countries
ing demand for global data on the status
protection over the last century. As of
have strategies in place, 53% are in of ocean resources, of marine biodiversi-
2005, there were approximately 4,600
the process of creating national strate-
ty, and of coastal communities, especial-
MPAs covering 2.2 million square kilo-
gies/plans, and 26% are taking initial
ly in view of resource declines and efforts
meters. This shows progress, but still
steps.
to gauge progress on other WSSD goals,
only accounts for 0.6% of all the oceans
such as halting biodiversity loss by 2010,
(although it accounts for 6% of the terri-
Participants at the Global Conference
and MDG goals such as reducing by half
torial seas). Unfortunately these increas-
recommended that the freshwater and
the proportion of people living on less
es are not sufficient at the current rate of
oceans communities should create
than a dollar a day by 2015. These data
designation to reach the goal of networks
stronger partnerships at both global and
needs have to be met through other
of marine protected areas by 2012. If the
regional levels to address achieving the
means than the GMA
current rate of designation is simply
IWRM goal as well as the related WSSD
maintained, one study predicts that the
targets on oceans and coasts. There is a
Relation to other assessment efforts. There are
2012 WSSD goal will not be met until
need to work across and among freshwa-
many ongoing efforts--both formal and
2085.
ter, coastal, and oceans organizations, at
informal-- to assess the status of marine
the national and international levels.
resources, some on a global basis, others
The issue of high seas and deep seabed
Among these opportunities are possible
on a regional basis. Some examples
biodiversity will continue to be a key issue
collaboration among the Global Water
include: regionally-based efforts by the
in the coming years. There is an important
Partnership, the Global Forum on
Regional Seas Programme, other regional
opportunity to build momentum towards
Oceans, Coasts, and Islands, and other
conventions and agreements, and by the
resolving this issue in a collaborative and
partners.
GEF-funded Large Marine Ecosystems
inclusive way in the near term. Many
programs; sectorally based assessments
national governments, NGOs, as well as
Global Marine Assessment (GMA)
by UN agencies such as fisheries assess-
intergovernmental organizations are
After a promising start in 2003 and
ments by FAO; and other scientific glob-
poised to move forward and take signifi-
2004, implementation of this WSSD
al assessments such as those of the
cant steps towards conserving and main-
commitment (carrying a 2004 date) was
Census of Marine Life. The diversity of
taining biodiversity in marine areas
significantly delayed due to political dif-
efforts underway is an important ration-
beyond national jurisdiction.
ferences among nations. In December
ale for first conducting an "Assessment of
Finally, it is important to underline that
2005, however, the process received new
Assessments." It is also important to
the achievement of the biodiversity con-
direction and impetus, and it is expected
note that there are significant informa-
servation goals is directly tied to the
that the first tangible steps in the estab-
tion sources, best practices, and experi-
8
ences at the national and sub-national
resources development programs, and
eration and oversee joint activities, and
level that might not be considered under
development of standardized data collec-
there is no funding set aside for joint
the Assessment of Assessments that
tion techniques, as needed.
activities within each of the agency's
should to be taken into consideration in
planning and budgeting cycles.
Coordination of UN activities on
the development and implementation of
Oceans
In planning the further evolution of UN-
the regular GMA process.
OCEANS, perhaps some lessons could
Out of all the WSSD goals, one can
Funding. It is clear that a regular process
be learned from UN-WATER, the collab-
unequivocally say that this goal has been
of global marine assessment will be cost-
orative interagency mechanism that has
largely accomplished: an inter-agency
ly (for example, the March 2004 report
been set up on water issues. UN-WATER
coordination mechanism on ocean and
of the Group of Experts estimated that
appears to have gone further in the
coastal issues within the UN system, in
for the 5-year cycle, the total cost is US$
development of interagency collabora-
the form of UN-OCEANS has been
20,405,000 not including capacity
tion, including the transparency ele-
established and is meeting regularly,
building and stakeholder consultations).
ment--several joint reports have been
making its discussions and decisions
It is essential that additional funding
produced; there is a joint logo that pro-
publicly available through the Internet.
resources be found to support carrying
vides a symbolic unifying element; there
the GMA.
The first step in every inter-agency col-
is a proposal for funding a Secretariat
laboration effort is having a regular
which has been well received; and there
Openness and transparency. It is important
forum where the agencies come together
is actual NGO participation in the meet-
that the process of preparing for and car-
on a periodic basis and share information
ings and activities of UN-WATER.
rying out the global marine assessment
on their programs and efforts and discuss
take place involving all relevant stake-
In addition, it should be noted that until
common problems. This step has clearly
holders--governments, international
now in the functions of UN-OCEANS
been achieved with UN-OCEANS.
agencies, NGOs, industry, scientists, and
there is no explicit mention of oceans
also the public, and that regularized
The long-run intent, however, of intera-
and Small Island Developing States
means of obtaining the input of all stake-
gency cooperation on oceans is effective-
(SIDS). Given that the SIDS nations are
holders be put in place. The ultimate
ness in: achieving a common vision of
especially dependent on the oceans,
goal of the GMA is to learn how well
the problems, synergy among existing
explicit consideration of oceans and
ocean resources, biodiversity, and peo-
programs, and the carrying out of broad
SIDS issues might be considered in
ples dependent on or living near oceans
activities with a variety of partners that
future UN-OCEANS decisionmaking.
are faring--are these better or worse? And
improve ocean governance in general.
Discussions of further enhancement of
what are the factors adversely affecting
Experience with interagency cooperation
UN coherence on oceans must be set
them? Such questions are the concern of
on oceans at the national level suggests
against the backdrop of UN reform.
us all.
that some essential factors/incentives
There is a major UN-wide reform effort
Areas sparsely or not covered by current assess-
must be present for collaboration to be
underway in 2006. Although it is too
ments. The assessment of high seas and
maintained over time and be effective.
early to judge the final results, several
deep waters, the marine environments of
Especially important factors/incentives
proposals have offered streamlined
developing nations including SIDS, and
include the fostering of a common vision
visions of the UN, with tighter mecha-
the interactions between freshwater and
and a culture of collaboration; having a
nisms of planning, accountability and
marine ecosystems which are not well
political mandate for collaboration and
management.
covered under existing assessments
joint action; having a funded Secretariat
Given the particular status of oceans,
should be prioritized in the GMA, and
to maintain the interagency cooperation
under the framework of UNCLOS in the
capacity to undertake these assessments
over time; and having funding for joint
context of UN-wide reform, participants
should be developed or existing capacity
activities. In the case of UN-OCEANS,
at the Global Conference noted that it
enhanced.
while no doubt the agencies recognize
may be worthwhile to revisit some of the
that increasingly the complex scope of
Capacity building. In recognition of the dif-
broader options available for achieving
ocean problems means that they cannot
ferences in capacities and resources
UN coherence on oceans, such as the
be tackled solely by a particular agency
among regions and nations, the GMA
creation of an overall oceans agency or
and instead require joint action. While
needs to deploy an implementation
the naming of a lead ocean agency. Calls
there is a political mandate for intera-
scheme that fully utilizes existing region-
were also made for the designation of a
gency collaboration from the UN
al and national capacities, and to aug-
UN Ambassador on Oceans to provide a
Secretary-General, there is no specific
ment existing capacity through transfer
very visible focal point on oceans.
funding for Secretariat activities to
of information, skills, best practices and
ensure the continuing interagency coop-
technology, implementation of human
9
Millennium Development Goals
While it is promising that one of the goals
ronment both as a source of protein and
is environmental sustainability, the targets
also through their role in weather regula-
The ability for nations to agree on the
related to this goal focus primarily on
tion and therefore the water cycle, not to
Millennium Development Goals repre-
energy use, freshwater and forests. While
express-ly consider improving ocean
sents an important step towards linking
these are useful proxies for improved envi-
health as a step towards environmental
the environment with poverty alleviation,
ronmental services, they do not capture
sustainability represents a significant gap.
but there is much more work to be done.
the complexity of environmental issues
Unfortunately, the MDGs seem to take a
Ocean and coastal areas and marine
and the interlinkages between the environ-
narrow view of what constitutes environ-
resources contribute significantly to the
ment and poverty reduction. Given the
ment.
economies of many nations, and are par-
importance of oceans to our global envi-
ticularly important to developing coun-
tries in their efforts to eradicate poverty.
International goals should be stat-
These resources serve as the basis for the
Following the World Summit on
livelihoods of many poor coastal com-
Sustainable Development, a deci-
ed and have actual follow through,
munities. While many developing coun-
sion was taken to find sustainable
implementation, and achievement,
tries are rich in marine and coastal
resources, they remain in poverty in some
ways of dealing with issues relating
which certainly applies to the
cases due to inequitable use agreements
to oceans, coasts, and islands...
Millennium Development Goals,
related to their resources.
as it does to almost every environ-
It is encouraging to note that in
It is also important for integrated ocean
mental objective that we have for
and coastal management efforts to address
the last decade, coastal nations
the economic and social aspects of com-
the planet. We are having a very
have undertaken concerted efforts
munities in developing countries. An
hard time following though on our
excellent example of such an effort is the
to articulate an integrated vision
Tanzania Marine and Coastal Environ-
very nice words. This is certainly
for the governance of ocean areas
mental Management Project (MACEMP),
the case across the board in envi-
which addresses the range of aspects
under their jurisdiction to harmo-
ronmental matters, but it is also
involved in coastal and ocean manage-
nize existing uses and laws, to fos-
ment. This project aims to strengthen gov-
certainly the case across the board
ter sustainable development of
ernance through more integrated
in poverty reduction issues. If you
approaches and will address fisheries,
ocean areas, to protect biodiversity
coastal management, livelihood generation
put those two pieces together, the
and vulnerable resources and
and poverty reduction as well as private
environment and poverty, which
sector involvement.
ecosystems, and to coordinate the
are so inextricably linked with
Poor nations rely heavily on their natural
actions of the many government
causation running in both direc-
capital, and without other resources, this
agencies that are typically involved
can lead to environmental degradation.
tions from poverty to environmen-
in ocean affairs....
The cycle of poverty does not afford the
tal degradation and environmental opportunity to "invest" this environmental
I must state that a lot has been
capital for future benefits, as those in
difficulties and an increase in
extreme poverty are struggling to survive
achieved in the management of our
poverty, there is a tremendous
and must rely on the environment in order
marine resources, but a lot still has
amount of neglect and an inability
to do so. There is an inextricable link
to be done. Individually we can
between poverty alleviation and environ-
to move forward on promises that
mental sustainability, yet unfortunately the
achieve less, but if we work togeth-
have been made
importance of this link is not always recog-
er as regions and as global partners
nized. The link between environment and
--Prof. Jeffrey D. Sachs,
health, such as access to safe drinking
we can achieve more.
Director, Earth Institute at Columbia
water is also undeniable. One of the most
University, and Special Advisor to
--Hon. Rejoice Mabudafhasi,
important steps towards reinforcing and
Deputy Minister of Environmental
the UN Secretary-General on the
recognizing these connections is getting
Affairs and Tourism, South Africa
Millennium Development Goals
environmental considerations systemati-
cally into national development strategies.
10
A major setback in assessing progress on
groundwork seems to have been estab-
dates should be addressed. With the
the MDGs is the fact that there is no sys-
lished for enhanced progress in the next
WSSD and MDG mandates, nations are
tematic measurement of the social and
phase. On Small Island Developing States
being asked to implement a variety of pro-
economic well-being of peoples in
and oceans, while the Mauritius Strategy
grams related to the ocean, coastal, and
coastal areas, which are home to 50% of
has been adopted, its implementation is in
freshwater environments-- integrated
the world's population. This lack of
doubt if financial resources and institu-
coastal and ocean management, ecosys-
measurement makes it difficult to deter-
tional capacity are not enhanced. As the
tem-management, integrated water
mine if progress is being made towards
custodians of large areas of the world's
resources management, GPA and control
poverty alleviation and in achieving the
oceans, SIDS need assistance and collabo-
of land-based activities, biodiversity pro-
Millennium Development Goals in the
ration from the international community
tection and networks of marine protected
specific context of oceans, coasts, and
to develop the capacity to delimit, manage,
areas. On-the-ground, these efforts
small island states.
and enforce these areas. The least progress
address similar issues and cover, to some
appears to be taking place in meeting the
extent, similar areas. As further implemen-
Is the glass "half-full" or
Millennium Development Goals, so essen-
tation of these efforts gets underway, it will
"half empty"?
tial to human welfare. In this regard, it is
be important to assist nations in rationaliz-
imperative that increasingly ocean and
ing and bringing synergy among these
There was much discussion on this ques-
coastal management programs address
efforts.
tion at the Global Conference--How well
poverty reduction as central goals. It is
In conclusion, participants at the Global
are we doing in meeting the WSSD and
imperative, as well, that the welfare of
Conference "took the pulse" and made
MDG commitments? Is the Glass "half-
coastal populations--their health, food
assessments of where we are on the road to
full" or "half-empty"? Participants at the
security, quality of life, and the benefits
full implementation of the WSSD/MDG
Global Conference agreed that progress
they derive from the coastal and marine
commitments. The participants, from all
toward implementation of the global tar-
resources they own be periodically meas-
sectors and all regions of the world, reaf-
gets related to oceans, coasts, and islands
ured to assess the extent to which any of
firmed the importance of the WSSD/MDG
has been slow, but that there are many
the MDG and WSSD goals are making the
goals; recognized new developments that
promising developments. In some areas,
needed difference on the ground.
have affected and/or altered the goals;
such as integrated coastal and ocean man-
Thinking about the next phase of further
mobilized to accelerate progress on the
agement, GPA, protection of marine biodi-
evolution in implementation of the WSSD
attainment of the goals, noting very tangi-
versity, integrated water resources manage-
and MDG goals, participants noted that it
ble and specific steps that need to be taken
ment, and UN coherence, one must con-
is important, as well, to establish for each
and by whom, and with what kind of fund-
clude that some very tangible progress is
WSSD/MDG goal, intermediate and readi-
ing; and pledged to continue periodic
being made, often with specific efforts
ly measurable targets and timetables at the
assessment of progress on implementation.
underway in a growing number of coun-
national level, as some countries such as
tries. In other areas such as fisheries and
the United Kingdom have done. As well,
global marine assessment, the progress has
the issue of coordinating the local imple-
been slower, but especially in fisheries, the
mentation of various international man-
The United Kingdom has already incorporated the WSSD targets into our Government's
binding targets and published delivery plans on oceans, fisheries, and biodiversity.
We will soon also be publishing a new Marine Bill to overhaul the governance of our
own waters, based on marine spatial planning and an ecosystem approach. It is important
that we all take the practical steps required to honour our WSSD commitments within
the timescale laid down.
--Honorable Ben Bradshaw,
Member of Parliament, Minister for Local Environment,
Marine, and Animal Welfare, Department for Environment,
Food and Rural Affairs, United Kingdom
11
Informal Multi-Stakeholder Survey on Progress Achieved on the Ocean
and Coastal Related Goals of the World Summit on Sustainable Development and the
Millennium Development Goals (conducted during the Third Global Conference on
Oceans, Coasts, and Islands, UNESCO, Paris, January 23-28, 2006)
Global conference participants were Table 1. Average ranking of progress on ocean and coastal related WSSD goals,
invited to complete an informal
summarized by sector.
multi-stakeholder survey on progress
World Summit on Sustainable Development Goals
Overall
Gov't
NGOs and Intergov't
towards achievement of the ocean and
Academia
Orgs.
coastal related goals of the World
INTEGRATED OCEAN AND COASTAL MANAGEMENT
Summit on Sustainable Development
Application of the ecosystem approach by 2010
2.21
2.27
2.35
1.93
and the Millennium Development Goals.
Promotion of integrated coastal and ocean
2.67
2.94
2.74
2.17
Survey respondents were asked to rate
management at the national and regional levels
the extent to which they thought
FISHERIES
progress has been made on each of the
Implementation of fishery capacity
1.96
2.21
1.89
1.69
major ocean-related goals. Respondents
management measures
were asked to rate progress using a five
Elimination of illegal, unreported and
1.67
1.64
1.65
1.4
point scale from 1 to 5 (1 = very poor
unregulated fishing
progress, 2 = poor progress, 3 = adequate
Maintenance or restoration of depleted fish stocks
1.84
1.83
2.0
1.56
progress, 4 = good progress, 5 = very
where possible no later than 2015
good progress).
Elimination of subsidies that contribute to illegal,
1.79
1.5
1.81
1.69
unreported and unregulated fishing and to overcapacity
CONSERVATION OF BIODIVERSITY
Achieve a significant reduction in the rate of
2.06
2.31
1.83
1.83
biodiversity loss by 2010
Development of a representative network of
2.51
2.44
2.68
2.11
marine protected areas by 2012
SMALL ISLAND DEVELOPING STATES
Implementation of the recommendations of the
2.36
2.1
2.4
2.23
Mauritius 2005 review of the Barbados Programme
of Action on SIDS
PROTECTION FROM MARINE POLLUTION
Implementation of the UNEP Global Programme of
2.58
2.73
2.47
2.46
Action for the Protection of the Marine Environment
from Land-Based Activities (GPA)
WATER RESOURCES MANAGEMENT
Development of integrated water resource
2.12
1.73
2.07
2.23
management (IWRM) plans by 2005
UN COORDINATION
Create an effective and transparent UN interagency
2.1
2.31
1.73
2.12
mechanism on oceans and coasts
GLOBAL MARINE ASSESSMENT
Establish a regular process under the United Nations
2.25
2.36
2.06
2.21
for global reporting and assessment of the state of the
marine environment, including socioeconomic
aspects, by 2004
Scale: 1 = very poor progress, 2 = poor progress, 3 = adequate progress, 4 = good progress, 5 = very good progress
Source: Prepared by the authors with the assistance of Brandon Riff.
12
Approximately 15% of conference partic-
ocean management, marine protected
ipants (60 respondents) filled out the
areas, and GPA; 3) the least progress was
survey. Survey respondents came from all
noted for fisheries issues and millennium
different sectors (government, NGOs and
development goals. Although some indi-
academia, international organizations,
viduals did rate goals as having adequate
private sector), generally following the
or very good progress, once averaged
pattern of conference participation, as
with all responses, no goal was rated as
noted below.
having adequate progress (although "pro-
motion of integrated ocean and coastal
Although the survey response rate was
management" as ranked by government
low, the results are suggestive of percep-
participants came close at 2.94). There
tions of various groups of progress
was 0.5 or greater variation in responses
achieved on WSSD and Millennium
among the different sectors in only 5 of
Development Goals. It would be useful
the 16 goals surveyed (integrated ocean
to replicate the survey on a broader scale
and coastal management goal (0.77),
and at other venues. In general, respon-
MPA goal (0.57), the MDG cooperation
dents thought that: 1) in most cases
goal (0.57), the fishing capacity goal
progress was ranked as above very poor,
(0.52) and the IWRM goal (0.50).
but below adequate; 2) the most progress
was reported for integrated coastal and
Table 2: Distribution of conference participants and survey respondents.
Total
Gov't
NGO and
Intergov't
Private
Journalism
No info
academia
Org
Sector
Sector
Conference 403
33%
30%
24%
7%
6%
--
participants
Survey 60
28%
33%
30%
2%
--
7%
respondents
Table 3. Average ranking of progress on ocean-related Millennium Development Goals,
summarized by sector.
Millennium Development Goals
Overall
Gov't
NGOs and
Intergov't
Academia
Orgs
Reduce by half the proportion of people
1.63
1.62
1.45
1.81
living on less than a dollar a day by 2015
Reduce by half the proportion of people who
1.70
1.62
1.55
1.94
suffer from hunger by 2015
Improve cooperation and coordination at all
2.29
2.6
2.22
2.03
levels in order to address oceans and seas issues
in an integrated manner and promote integrated
management and sustainable development of
the oceans and seas.
Scale: 1 = very poor progress, 2 = poor progress, 3 = adequate progress,
4 = good progress, 5 = very good progress.
13
The Ecosystem Approach and
Integrated Coastal and Ocean
Management
Johannesburg Plan of
Discussion
· International Coral Reef Initiative,
1995
Implementation:
Application of the ecosystem
approach by 2010
· United Nations Agreement for the
N Encourage the application of the
implementation of the provisions of
As noted in the 2006 UN Secretary
the United Nations Convention on
ecosystem approach by 2010 for the
General's report on Oceans and Law of
the Law of the Sea of 10 December
development of the oceans, particularly
the Sea, there is no internationally
1982 relating to the conservation and
the management of fisheries and
agreed upon definition for the "ecosys-
management of straddling fish stocks
conservation of biodiversity.
tem approach." However, the
and highly migratory fish stocks (UN
N Promote integrated coastal and ocean
Convention on Biological Diversity
Fish Stocks Agreement), 1995
management at the national level and
(CBD) provides a useful definition as "a
encourage and assist countries in
strategy for the integrated management
· United Nations Conference on
developing ocean policies and
of land, water, and living resources that
Environment and Development,
promotes conservation and sustainable
1992 (Agenda 21)
mechanisms on integrated coastal
use in an equitable way" (CBD, 2000).
· The United Nations Convention on
management.
There are several approaches currently
the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS), 1982
N Assist developing countries in coordinating
in use which embody the ecosystem
policies and programmes at the regional
· World Charter for Nature, 1982
approach, such as integrated water
and sub-regional levels aimed at conserva-
resources management and integrated
· Convention on the Conservation of
tion and sustainable management of fishery
ocean and coastal area management, that
Antarctic Marine Living Resources
resources and implement integrated coastal
are applied to coastal and ocean environ-
(CCAMLR), 1980
area management plans, including through
ments.
· United Nations Conference on the
the development of infrastructure.
In addition to the CBD, there are a num-
Human Environment, 1972
ber of other international agreements
· Ramsar Convention on Wetlands,
that implicitly or explicitly refer to the
1971 (UN, 2006).
ecosystem approach. Examples include:
Efforts to operationalize the ecosystem
· United Nations Millennium
approach are underway in addition to
Declaration and 2005 World Summit
efforts to build consensus towards an
· Johannesburg Plan of Implementation
agreed upon definition of ecosystem
of the World Summit on Sustainable
based management as it pertains to
Development, 2002
oceans. In March 2005, over 200 aca-
demic scientists and policy experts
· Reykjavik Declaration on Responsible
signed a consensus statement on the def-
Fisheries in the Marine Ecosystem,
inition of marine ecosystem-based man-
2001.
agement (EBM). The statement notes
· Global Programme of Action for the
that "ecosystem-based management: (1)
Protection of the Marine Environment
emphasizes the protection of ecosystem
from Land-based Activities (GPA),
structure, functioning, and key process-
1995
es; (2) is place-based in focusing on a
· FAO Code of Conduct for
specific ecosystem and the range of
Responsible Fisheries, 1995
activities affecting it; (3) explicitly
14
accounts for the interconnectedness
used to operationalize the ecosystem
within systems, recognizing the impor-
approach in projects that include 120
Moving to an ecosystem approach
tance of interactions between many tar-
countries, through sub-regional coopera-
get species or key services and other
tion based on the boundaries of marine
should be considered an evolution-
non-target species; (4) acknowledges
ecosystems as opposed to political
ary step in integrated management
interconnectedness among systems, such
boundaries (Ehler and Chua, 2006).
as between air, land and sea; and (5)
and action, not a break with
Although more recent definitions of the
integrates ecological, social, economic,
ecosystem approach begin to recognize
the past.
and institutional perspectives, recogniz-
the role of humans (social, economic,
ing their strong interdependences"
and cultural) in ecosystems, this does
(McLeod, et al. 2005). Further efforts to
Application of the ecosystem
not always reach down to the level of
operationalize the ecosystem approach as
implementation. In many cases, the
approach involves a focus on the
it applies to oceans and coasts will occur
human dimensions are treated as an
during the Seventh meeting of the
aside or left out entirely. A promising
functional relationships and
United Nations Open-ended Informal
example of a project that considers the
Consultative Process on Oceans and the
processes within ecosystems,
issue of ecological protection and marine
Law of the Sea in June 2006.
protected area networks, while at the
attention to the distribution of
Several countries are beginning to make
same time working to alleviate poverty
benefits that flow from ecosystem
efforts towards the application of the
and ensure financial sustainability for the
ecosystem approach, in part through the
project, is the World Bank project in
services, the use of adaptive
use of marine spatial planning and the
Tanzania and Zanzibar (Marine and
development of sea use plans. Another
Coastal Environmental Management
management practices, the need to
example of application is the UNEP
Project (MACEMP) or "Blueprint 2050").
carry out management actions at
Regional Seas Programme, which in
It is essential to recognize that ecosystem
2004 agreed to promote integrated man-
management is not actually management
multiple scales, and inter-sectoral
agement based on the ecosystem
of the components of the ecosystem, but
cooperation.
approach (Ehler and Chua, 2006). Other
rather the management of human activi-
examples of regional efforts include the
ties and their impacts on the ecosystem
--Charles Ehler, The World Conservation
Baltic Marine Environment Protection
(Ehler and Chua, 2006).
Union
Commission (HELCOM), Commission
Implementing ecosystem-based manage-
World Commission on Protected Areas
for the Protection of the Marine
and Chua Thia-Eng, Partnerships in
ment requires baseline and monitoring
Environment of the Northeast Atlantic
Environmental Management for the
data for both ecological and socioeco-
(OSPAR), the Antarctic Treaty System,
Seas of East Asia (PEMSEA)
nomic components of the ecosystems.
the New Partnership for Africa's
Currently there are only a few large marine
Development (NEPAD), and the Pacific
ecosystems with systematically collected,
determine whether the Millennium
Islands Regional Ocean Forum (UN
long-term data on the status and trends of
Development Goals (MDGs) are being met
2006).
natural and social systems. This lack of
in coastal communities. With no periodic
To date the most extensive application of
data and long-term monitoring capacity is
assessment of the socio-economic status of
the ecosystem approach is through the
a significant impediment to the implemen-
coastal communities, it is not possible to
Large Marine Ecosystem (LME) projects
tation of the ecosystem approach. Data on
measure progress on the MDG goal of alle-
funded by the Global Environmental
the socioeconomic status of coastal com-
viating poverty in the context of coastal
Facility (GEF). These projects are being
munities is also essential in order to
areas (Ehler and Chua, 2006).
15
The application of the ecosystem
The Ocean Policy Summit
approach in the context of marine and
coastal ecosystems builds on the already
The Ocean Policy Summit 2005 that took place October 10-14, 2005 in Lisbon, Portugal having as its theme,
widely used concept of integrated ocean
Integrated Ocean Policy: National and Regional Experiences, Prospects and Emerging Practices brought togeth-
and coastal management. Integrated
er more than 200 participants from 53 countries. With a strong maritime tradition, Portugal warmly welcomed
management is a comprehensive
this meeting as an opportunity to share experiences and exchange information on emerging best practices when
approach that provides for regulation of
defining or implementing ocean policies.
human activities, and takes into account
With governments, regional organizations, UN agencies, academia, nongovernmental organizations and indus-
the many (often conflicting) objectives in
try represented, the event strongly focused on the institutional aspects of ocean governance. The eight discus-
sion panels addressed various aspects of ocean policy, including: the growing interest in the integrated nation-
order to minimize user conflicts and
al and regional ocean policies; learning lessons from countries that have made the most progress to date;
maximize long term sustainability
achieving cross-sectoral harmonization of ocean use and agencies; identifying principles for governance; and
(Garcia et al., 2003).
implementing an integrated policy taking into account operational and financial considerations.
Integrated coastal and ocean
National ocean policy principles being adopted by different countries present a remarkable congruence: they
highlight (not only) the need for engaging public opinion, the media, civil society and the scientific and research
management
communities, but also the need to set up some kind of national oceans offices or agencies with clearly defined
Integrated coastal and ocean manage-
responsibilities for coordination and articulation.
ment (ICM) has been the recommended
In fact, although most of the experiences reported or presented at the meeting underscored the requirement
framework for dealing with coastal and
for executive and legislative measures, they all seek to harmonize rather than replace sectoral policies.
ocean issues under the UN Conference
Successful ocean policy should take into consideration the following premises:
on Environment and Development
· Takes several years to implement;
(1992), including Agenda 21, the Rio
· Requires support in political circles, and strengthened cooperation at the international,
Declaration of Principles, the Climate
regional and national levels;
Change Convention, the Biodiversity
· Requires clear legislation to ensure its effectiveness;
Convention, the Global Programme of
· Needs financial support and specific funds for implementation;
Action for the Protection of the Marine
· Needs persistence and stubbornness;
Environment from Land-based Activi-
· Should be:
ties, and the Barbados Programme of
- Ambitious but realistic;
Action for the Sustainable Development
- Inclusive, that means, engaging all stakeholders and having public sparticipation; and
of Small Island States. Because of this
- Prudent in terms of the competencies of each authority;
international guidance and subsequent
· Requires the preservation of a clean and safe marine environment and an efficient utilization of marine
investments of substantial resources by
resources;
international donors, ICM has now been
· Needs a national integrated coastal management strategy providing a framework linking sectors and local
implemented in about 100 countries
governments and creating partnerships among them to ensure sustainable use of ocean resources;
around the world. However, many of
· Needs to be leveraged by relevant international treaties and regional and bilateral activities;
these initiatives have been focused on
· Needs full engagement of sector-specific departments and agencies;
estuaries and small areas of coasts
· Starts by a "learning by doing phase" and grows through small successes;
instead of national programs. Successful
· Needs to be supported by a broad consensus on the importance of an ecosystems approach, best-avail-
pilot projects should now be scaled up to
able science, and public awareness and understanding.
national efforts on ICM.
A further conclusion of the Lisbon Summit reveals that most countries are experiencing similar problems when
A study by Sorensen in 2002 showed
developing ocean policies. These include:
that there were more than 700 ICM ini-
· how to make cross-sectoral collaboration and harmonization work on a continuing basis;
tiatives (including at the local level) in
· how to structure a true national ocean policy;
more than 90 nations around the world
· how to achieve the multipurpose objective of sustainable development, conservation, social promotion and
(Sorensen 2002). Data collected by
maritime security;
Cicin-Sain et al in 2000 showed a signif-
· and, finally, how to achieve spatial integration of freshwater, coastal and oceans issues.
icant increase in ICM efforts around the
Portugal strongly assumes its maritime dimension and I can assure you that my government is full committed
world from 1993 to 2000 (Table 1),
to international ocean policy formulation and implementation.
although there were substantial differ-
-- Hon. Dr. Manuel Lobo Antunes
ences in the extent of ICM activity in var-
Secretary of State for National Defense and Maritime Affairs, Portugal
ious regions of the world (Cicin-Sain et
al, 2000).
16
200-mile Exclusive Economic Zone
Table 1. Coastal Countries with ICM Efforts, 1993 and 2000 Comparison
management
Continent
Coastal countries
1993
2000
A recent development on which there is
North America
3
3
100%
3
100%
growing documentation, however, con-
Central America
7
4
57%
7
100%
cerns integrated oceans management fur-
Europe
33
11
31%
30
91%
ther offshore than most coastal manage-
ment efforts, incorporating the 200-mile
Asia
17
13
62%
14
82%
Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ). In the
South America
11
5
45%
8
73%
last decade, a growing number of nations
Caribbean
13
5
45%
8
62%
have undertaken concerted efforts to
articulate and implement an integrated
Near East
15
6
40%
7
47%
vision for the governance of their EEZ
Oceania
17
7
33%
8
47%
areas--to harmonize existing uses and
Africa
37
5
13%
13
35%
laws, to foster sustainable development,
Total
59
98
to protect biodiversity and vulnerable
resources and ecosystems, and to coordi-
Source: Cicin-Sain et al 2000.
nate the actions of the many government
The World Summit on Sustainable
Unfortunately, there are no data available
agencies that are typically involved in
Development called for "integrated
at the global level to ascertain further
ocean affairs. It is estimated by the
coastal and ocean management at the
progress (or lack thereof) in integrated
Nippon Foundation Research Task Force
national level and encouragement and
coastal and ocean management since the
on National Ocean Policies that about 40
assistance to countries in developing
efforts noted above. Therefore, it is diffi-
countries have taken concrete steps
ocean policies and mechanisms on inte-
cult to provide an overall perspective on
toward cross-cutting and integrated
grated coastal management," without,
the extent to which the WSSD and MDG
national ocean policy (Cicin-Sain,
however, providing an explicit deadline
goals are being implemented. To address
VanderZwaag, and Balgos, 2006). At The
for meeting this goal. The MDG, as
these data gaps, at least partially, a joint
Ocean Policy Summit held in Lisbon,
amended in 2005, also contains a man-
effort between the Secretariat of the
Portugal, October 10-14, 2005 (see
date for "improving cooperation and
Convention on Biological Diversity
Box), countries and regions reported on
coordination at all levels in order to
(CBD) and the Global Forum on Oceans,
their efforts to develop integrated ocean
address issues related to oceans and seas
Coasts, and Islands is underway in 2006
policies to deal with multiple use con-
in an integrated manner and promote
to analyze in depth the national reports
flicts among uses, users, and manage-
integrated management of the oceans
to the CBD which do contain questions
ment agencies, degradation of marine
and seas."
on national activities on integrated ocean
resources, and missed opportunities for
and coastal management.
economic development. These different
national policies are remarkably congru-
ent in terms of overall principles and
most recognize the need for transparen-
Recognizing the negative changes in ecosystem health, our
cy, public and stakeholder involvement,
incentives for cooperative action, and a
countries, in a regional effort, have resolved to work together to
national ocean office with clearly articu-
address the common concerns. Through various assessments
lated responsibilities. Tables 2 and 3
carried out, our countries have realized that the traditional
present preliminary data comparing
principles adopted in national and
sectoral approach to management had failed in bringing about
regional ocean policies and governmen-
the needed changes in environmental and living resources uses.
tal structures established (Cicin-Sain,
2006).
We have therefore resolved to adopt a holistic and multi-sectoral
At the regional level, efforts such as
approach embodied in the large marine ecosystem concept.
UNEP's Regional Seas Programme and
the GEF Large Marine Ecosystems proj-
--Honorable Ms. Christine Churcher,
ects have a very useful role to play in
MP, Minister of Environment and Science,
assisting states in developing national
Ghana
policies for their oceans. The GEF, for
17
Table 2. Principles Adopted in National Ocean Policies
Principles adopted
Country National
Sustainable
Integrated
Ecosystem-
Good
Adaptive
Precautionary
Preservation
Stewardship
Multiple
Use
Economic/
Ocean
Development/ Management
based
Governance Management/
Approach
of
Marine
Management
Social
Policy/Date
Sustainability
Management
Best Available
Biodiversity
Develop./
E/L(Executive/
Science
Poverty
Legislative)
Alleviation
Countries in the policy implementaion stage
Australia
Oceans
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
Policy (1998)(E)
Brazil
National Marine
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
Resources
Policy1980/
2005 (L)
Canada
Oceans Act
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
1997 (L)
China
Ocean X
X
X
X
X
X
Agenda 21 1996 (E)
United Marine
Stewardship X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
Kingdom Report 2002 (E)
Russian Marine
Doctrine
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
Federation 2001 (E)
Countries in the policy formulation stage
Jamaica
Natural Resource
X
X
X
X
X
X
Conservation
Authority Act 1991 (L)
New
National Oceans
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
Zealand
Policy 2000
(initiated process) (L)
Norway
Ocean Resource
X
X
X
X
Act Draft, 2005 (L)
Portugal
Strategic Oceans
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
Commission Report
2004 (E)
United National
Ocean
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
States
Commission Report
2004,U.S. Ocean
Action Plan 2004 (E)
Countries in the policy preparation stage
India
Ocean Policy
X
X
X
X
X
Statement 1982 (E)
Japan
Ocean policy
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
proposal presented
January 2006 (E)
Mexico
Oceans Agenda )
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
2001 (E)
Philippines Sustainable
X
X
X
X
X
Archipelagic Devt
Framework (Proposed,
2004) (E)
Vietnam
Strategy of Marine
X
X
X
X
X
X
Economy Develop-
ment Toward Year 2020 (E)
Source: (Cicin-Sain, 2006). These data are part of the work of the Nippon Foundation Research Task Force on National Ocean Policies, forthcoming book: Biliana Cicin-Sain, David VanderZwaag, and Miriam Balgos, Eds.,
National Ocean Policies: Comparative Perspectives. Many thanks are due to Kateryna Wowk for her work in the preparation of this table.
18
Table 3. Institutional Aspects of National and Regional Ocean Policies
Countries in the policy implementation stage.
Country
Interagency Mechanism
Administrative Arrangement
AUSTRALIA
- Environment Committee of the Cabinet
Lead: Department of Environment and Heritage
- Oceans Board of Management
National Oceans Office
- National Oceans Advisory Group
- Oceans Policy Science Advisory Group
BRAZIL
Interministerial Commission for the Sea Resources (CIRM)
Lead: Navy
CANADA
Canadian Council of Fisheries and Aquaculture Ministers
Lead: Department of Fisheries and Oceans
CHINA
None.
Lead: State Oceanic Administration
UNITED KINGDOM
- Marine Consents & Environment Unit (cross-departmental unit of
Coordinator: Defra
Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) and
Department of Transport)
- Executive and advisory Non-Departmental Public Bodies (national or regional
public bodies independent of ministers to whom they are accountable)
RUSSIAN FEDERATION
Marine Board, composed of 9 heads of federal executive agencies,
Interagency Commission on FTP World Ocean Coordinator:
and representatives from other executing organizations of the FTP World Ocean
Ministry of Economic Development and Trade
Countries in the policy formulation stage.
Country
Interagency Mechanism
Administrative Arrangement
JAMAICA
National Council on Ocean and Coastal Management
Leads: Ministry of Foreign Affairs (Policy-making),
and National Environment and Planning Agency,
and Maritime Authority (Administrative)
NEW ZEALAND
Ad Hoc Ministerial Group of 6 Cabinet Ministers tasked
Lead: Oceans Policy Secretariat, Ministry of Environment
to manage the development of national ocean policy.
NORWAY
Drafting Committee for the Oceans Resources Act (proposed)
Lead: Ministry of the Environment
PORTUGAL
Task Force, State Secretary for Defense and Maritime Affairs
Lead: State Secretary for Defense and Maritime Affairs
UNITED STATES
White House/CEQ Committee on Ocean Policy with subsidiary
Lead: Council on Environmental Quality (CEQ)
coordinating bodies
- Interagency Committee on Ocean Science and
Resources Management Integration
- NSTC Joint Subcommittee on Ocean Science and Technology
- Subcommittee on Integrated Management of Ocean Resources
- National Security Council Policy Coordinating Committee
- Ocean Research Advisory Panel
Countries in the policy preparation stage.
Country
Interagency Mechanism
Administrative Arrangement
INDIA
None.
Leads: Department of Ocean Development and
Ministry of Environment and Forests
JAPAN
Proposed: Proposed:
- Ministerial Level Council for Ocean Affairs
- Minister for Ocean Affairs
- Inter-Ministry and Inter-Agency Conference on Ocean Affairs
- Policy Coordinator and Ocean Policy Promotion Office
- Ocean Affairs Advisory Committee
MEXICO
None.
Lead: Ministry of Environment and Natural Resources
(SEMARNAT) (Policy-making)
PHILIPPINES
Archipelagic Development Council (proposed)
Leads: Department of Foreign Affairs (Policy-making);
Department of Environment and Natural Resources
and Department of Agriculture (Administrative)
VIETNAM
None.
Leads in Policy-making: Ministry of Planning and
Investment, Ministry of Fisheries, and Ministry of
Foreign Affairs
Region
Interagency Mechanism
Administrative Arrangement
Pacific Islands
Pacific Islands Regional Ocean Framework for Integrated Strategic Action (PIROF-ISA), Lead: Marine Sector Working Group of the Council of Regional
the implementation framework of the Pacific Islands Regional Ocean Policy (PIROP),
Organisations in the Pacific (CROP)
calls for a multisectoral coordination mechanism, within existing organisational
structures, as a first step in implementing the Policy
European Union
Maritime Policy Task Force (7 Commissions)
Lead: Commissioner for Fisheries and Maritime Affairs,
European Commission
East Asian Seas (PEMSEA)
Sustainable Development Strategy for the Seas of East Asia
Lead: Partnerships in Environmental Management for the Seas
of East Asia (PEMSEA)
Africa (NEPAD)
New Partnership for Africa's Development (NEPAD)
Lead: Coastal and Marine Secretariat (NEPAD)
Source: (Cicin-Sain, 2006). These data are part of the work of the Nippon Foundation Research Task Force on National Ocean Policies, forthcoming book: Biliana Cicin-Sain, David
VanderZwaag, and Miriam Balgos, Eds., National Ocean Policies: Comparative Perspectives. Many thanks are due to Kateryna Wowk for her work in the preparation of this table.
19
example, is supporting initial develop-
on coastal management and coastal gover-
SIDS countries, to support the required
ment of regional ocean policies focusing
nance. Most recently, the Mediterranean
skills base in ecosystem-based manage-
on shared transboundary resources in 15
Regional Seas Programme has drafted a
ment and ocean governance. Developed
Large Marine Ecosystems (LMEs).
protocol on integrated coastal manage-
nations and nations with the technical
ment. An interesting and productive
capacity to monitor and assess ecosys-
Significant work along these lines is also
development has been a recent partner-
tem-based management and integrated
taking place in the Pacific Islands region,
ship between the Regional Seas
management efforts should provide
the East Asia region (through the
Programme and Large Marine Ecosystem
assistance to developing nations since
Partnership in Environmental
projects funded by the GEF to bring a
the extent of the ecological and econom-
Management for the Seas of East Asia
more focused ecosystem-based approach
ic data needed to understand ecosystem
(PEMSEA) and with GEF funding), the
to the Regional Seas Programmes.
functions and human reliance on the
Asia Pacific Region (through the Asia
ecosystems is significant. An opportunity
Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC)),
Capacity development
to assist developing countries in devel-
For capacity building in ecosystem-
oping this capacity is presented through
The Atlantic, Indian Ocean,
based management and integrated man-
the establishment in 2005 of the SIDS
agement, it is critical that needs assess-
Consortium of Universities. There has
Mediterranean, and South China
ments and capacity stocktaking be car-
been additional interest expressed in cre-
Sea (AIMS) SIDS lack a critical
ried out in order to have targeted efforts
ating similar consortia in Africa and
that use appropriate and effective
other regions in order to facilitate the
mass of qualified scientists and
approaches. At issue is not just the start
expansion of locally developed technical
associated institutions. With few
up of capacity development initiatives
and management capacity.
but also capacity mobilization, which is
exceptions, technical capacities are
the optimization of the use of existing
The Bottom Line and
very low, especially in marine and
capacity and creating the environment
and incentives to ensure capacity reten-
Outstanding Issues
coastal matters. Institutional
tion, through various means, such as
Both ecosystem management and integrat-
capacity and integrated coastal
promotion of indigenous regional capac-
ed coastal and ocean management adopt a
ity (e.g., by supporting students to study
holistic, integrated approach covering
management initiatives are con-
in local academic institutions), develop-
both environmental and socio-economic
ment of community associations, and
strained by weak institutions and
dimensions, and are basically similar;
enlisting the involvement of govern-
however, the scale of operation and level of
administration processes as well as
ments as well as the private sector
management intervention might vary with
(Hewawasam, Dower, Astralaga, 2006).
lack of human resources to develop
respect to geographical scale. There has
There is also a need to bring capacity
been a marked increase in the application
and implement policies.
development in ecosystem-based manage-
of the concept of ecosystem-based man-
ment down to the grass roots, to the com-
agement and integrated coastal and ocean
--Nirmal Jivan Shah, Chief Executive
munity level and find ways to empower
management in addressing cross-cutting
Nature Seychelles
local communities to engage in the man-
environmental and sustainable develop-
agement process and to establish mecha-
ment issues worldwide. Financial support
nisms for their participation. Existing
from GEF and multilateral and bilateral
and through the European Union. With
capacity-building programmes in ocean
institutions has contributed to the
over 30 years of experience, UNEP's
and coastal management need to be
increased efforts in applying this concept
Regional Seas Programme and its partners
reviewed to ensure that ecosystem-based
and approach at subnational, national, and
encompass 18 marine regions and include
management is emphasized and that com-
regional levels.
participation by over 140 coastal states
munities are empowered to apply ecosys-
and territories. Fourteen regional conven-
The difficult job of measuring progress
tem-based management best practices and
tions have been signed and over 20 proto-
on implementing the WSSD and
approaches in addressing local manage-
cols addressing oil spill response, pollu-
Millennium Development Goals related
ment and conservation issues.
tion from ocean dumping, and pollution
to ecosystem management and integrat-
from land-based sources have been rati-
In many cases, there may be merit in tak-
ed coastal and ocean management, how-
fied. While initially focused on offshore
ing the regional approach to addressing
ever, is even more challenging on these
issues, over the past 20 years, the Regional
skills shortages as it may not be feasible
topics, because no one institution is
Seas Programme has increasingly worked
for each country, especially in the case of
responsible for tracking developments in
20
these areas. Moreover, there are no stan-
While a timetable exists for applying the
Recommendations to the International
dardized evaluation criteria for measur-
ecosystem approach (2010), no similar
and Donor Communities:
ing the performance of these efforts in
target exists for promoting integrated
· Develop more case studies to demon-
achieving the MDG and WSSD goals,
coastal and ocean management at the
strate the effectiveness of an integrated
although some steps have been taken in
national level. A timetable for ICM
and ecosystem-based management
this direction.
should be established.
approach, in particular, demonstrating
In addition, no international organization
Finally, individual nations are increasing-
the socio-economic benefits of such
is responsible for tracking the progress of
ly asked by international organizations to
approaches in achieving environmen-
ICM planning and implementation activi-
develop and implement programs that
tal sustainability;
ties, and, therefore, monitoring and evalu-
deal with coastal and ocean management,
· Develop an appropriate and tested
ation of progress is carried out on an ad
land-based pollution, integrated water
monitoring program to track the
hoc basis. International coordination is one
resources management, fisheries, net-
performance of integrated coastal and
of the major difficulties confronted in the
works of marine protected areas, adapta-
ocean management/LME programs/
implementation of action plans for inte-
tion to climate change, and so on usu-
projects at the international level; and
grated management of large marine ecosys-
ally with little or no additional financial
tem or coastal and marine areas due to the
support. Guidance on figuring out how
· Pool resources in developing
typical lack of existing agencies with the
to coordinate, integrate, or "nest" these
strategic partnerships using
mandate or function to coordinate coastal
various international commitments and
ICM/ecosystem management as the
and ocean management issues.
demands should be developed. A more
integrated framework and processes
active role by the Regional Seas Pro-
to provide a policy environment at
With the increase of use conflicts in
gramme in coordinating these require-
local and national levels to enable
coastal and marine areas, severity of pol-
ments could be a way forward.
the effective mobilization and
lution, and heightened threats of dwin-
utilization of the financial resources
dling marine resources, more countries
Recommendations to National
in achieving the goals of sustainable
will be looking to the application of inte-
Governments:
development.
grated management models for solutions.
· Adopt integrated coastal and ocean
It is an opportune time to intensify inter-
management/ ecosystem-based man-
national efforts in the development of
agement approach and frameworks to
working models and good practices in
address use conflicts, transboundary
integrated coastal and ocean manage-
Our oceans have largely been
issues, resource depletion and envi-
ment. In addition, interagency/inter-min-
ronmental degradation with adequate
isterial coordination is a major obstacle
left at the mercy of illegal fishing
consideration of the socio-economic
that requires strong political will and
dimensions of the coastal communities
by distant nations who have
appropriate incentives to develop the
and their active participation through-
willingness among agencies or ministries
plundered the resources without
out the management process;
to work together.
care. We still do not have the
· Address interagency conflicts at
The Strategic Action Programmes of
national and sub-national levels
Large Marine Ecosystems, as well as those
capacity to monitor activities in
through the development of inter-min-
at the local level, provide useful manage-
isterial or interagency coordination
our large Exclusive Economic
ment frameworks and processes for inter-
mechanisms to enable the integrated
governmental, interagency, and cross-
Zone, and we hope that the
planning and implementation of poli-
sector partnerships and cooperation at
cy and management interventions for
Global Forum will help us in
the regional, national, and sub-national
addressing the increasing depletion of
levels. They also provide a useful plat-
their coastal and ocean resources; and
ensuring control of these
form for developing strategic partner-
ships among various multilateral and
· Increase capacity development in the
illegal activities...
bilateral financial institutions, as well as
areas of coastal and ocean governance
donor communities, in mobilizing the
to develop a critical mass of coastal
--Hon. Joseph Konzolo Munyao,
needed financial resources for environ-
and ocean managers at local and
Minister for Fisheries and Livestock
mental improvement projects, capacity
national levels to plan and manage
Development, Kenya
development, and implementation of
their coastal resources.
international instruments.
21
Global Programme of Action
for the Protection of the
Marine Environment from
Land-Based Activities
In 1995, the UNEP Global Programme of
programme. This structure allows part-
Johannesburg Plan of
Action for the Protection of the Marine
ners the flexibility to select components
Implementation:
Environment from Land-based Activities
to support and to negotiate the scope of
(GPA) was adopted by 108 governments
delivery. While the scope of the
Advance implementation of the Global
and the European Commission, in
Programme of Work is global, it is
Programme of Action for the Protection of
response to the major problems of pollu-
focused on targeted delivery in priori-
the Marine Environment from Land-based
tion in the oceans coming from land-
tized programmatic areas in selected geo-
Activities and the Montreal Declaration on the
based activities, including municipal,
graphic regions. The core components of
industrial and agricultural wastes and
the Programme of Work are: National
Protection of the Marine Environment from
run-off, and atmospheric deposition.
Programmes of Action (NPAs); Strategic
Land-based Activities, with particular emphasis
The GPA is designed to be a source of
Action Plan on Municipal Wastewater
in the period 2002-2006 on municipal waste-
conceptual and practical guidance to
(SAP Wastewater); Physical Alteration
water, the physical alteration and destruction
States, individually or jointly, in taking
and Destruction of Habitats (PADH);
of habitats, and nutrients, by actions at
concrete actions that give tangible results
Integrated Coastal Area and River Basin
all levels to:
within their respective policies, priorities
Management (ICARM); Innovative
N Facilitate partnerships, scientific research
and resources. Implementing the GPA is
Financing Arrangements (IFA);
and diffusion of technical knowledge; mobi-
primarily the task of national govern-
Legislation; and Outreach, Awareness
lize domestic, regional and international
ments, supported in their efforts by
and Clearing-House Mechanism.
resources; and promote human and institu-
regional and international organizations,
Normative guidance and pilot projects
with the coordination effort led by UNEP
are also main elements of the GPA com-
tional capacity-building, paying particular
through the UNEP-GPA Coordination
ponents relating to SAP, PADH and
attention to the needs of developing countries;
Office. Additionally, civil society has
ICARM (UNEP-GPA 2005).
N Strengthen the capacity of developing coun-
been recognized as a potential contribu-
National Actions Towards
tries in the development of their national
tor towards the achievement of GPA
Achievement of Goals
and regional programmes and mechanisms
goals. The GPA is intended to facilitate
to mainstream the objectives of the Global
national action and regional cooperation
National Programmes of Action (NPAs)
Programme of Action and to manage the
in the identification of problem areas and
provide a comprehensive yet flexible
risks and impacts of ocean pollution;
issues, the setting of priorities, and the
framework to assist countries in fulfilling
N
development of measures to prevent,
their duty to preserve and protect the
Elaborate regional programmes of action
reduce and control the degradation of
marine environment from the major GPA
and improve the links with strategic plans
the marine environment. The GPA
pollution categories. The framework
for the sustainable development of coastal
emphasizes action at the national level,
operates from the premise that action at
and marine resources, noting in particular
cooperation at sub-regional and regional
the national level should build upon
areas which are subject to accelerated
levels, and the strengthening of existing
existing national priorities, policies and
environmental changes and development
conventions and the negotiations of new
development plans. The framework is
pressures;
regional conventions and programmes as
flexible, allowing for specific responses
N Make every effort to achieve substantial
appropriate (UNEP-GPA 2005).
to unique circumstances and national
priorities. The development of NPAs rep-
progress by the next Global Programme
The GPA is implemented through a
resents a direct step towards the estab-
of Action conference in 2006 to protect
Programme of Work delivered through a
lishment of a national enabling environ-
the marine environment from land-based
flexible modular framework to allow
ment for the GPA, strengthening institu-
activities.
partners to support specific components
tional capacities and identifying national
within the context of the approved work
priorities and key activities. Changes at
22
Table 1: Status of National Programmes of Action (NPAs) as of May 2006 (UNEP-GPA 2006)
Region
Country
Status NPA
Region
Country
Status NPA
AFRICA
Algeria
Completed - implementation initiated
Israel
Completed; implementation initiated
Egypt
Red Sea: ongoing draft available;
Italy
Completed; implementation initiated
Mediterranean: Completed
Kazakhstan
Initiated
implementation initiated
Malta
Completed; implementation initiated
Libya
Completed - implementation initiated
Monaco
Completed; implementation initiated
Morocco
Completed - implementation initiated
Serbia & Montenegro Completed; implementation initiated
Nigeria
Ongoing - draft available
Slovenia
Completed; implementation initiated
Tanzania
Ongoing draft available
Spain
Completed; implementation initiated
Tunisia
Completed - implementation initiated
Russian Federation Initiated
GEF WIO-LaB
Planned - 3 countries to be selected
(Caspian Sea)
(Addressing Land-
Turkey
Completed; implementation initiated
Based Activities
(Mediterranean)
in the Western
Turkmenistan
Initiated
Indian Ocean)
Russian Arctic
Ongoing
GEF GCLME
Initiated/ongoing in 11 countries 15 NPAs
(Guinea Current
to be developed in total
LATIN Bahamas
Preparations
ongoing
Large Marine
AMERICA
Barbados
Initiated
Ecosystem)
& THE
Belize
Initiated
ASIA & THE Australia
Completed
CARIBBEAN Brazil
Completed
PACIFIC
Bangladesh
Completed - revision ongoing
Chile
Ongoing
China
Preparations ongoing
Colombia
Completed implementation ongoing
India
Completed revision ongoing
Costa Rica
Ongoing
Kiribati
Planned
Ecuador
Ongoing
Pakistan
Completed revision ongoing
Honduras
Initiated
Sri Lanka
Completed implementation ongoing
Jamaica
Completed implementation initiated
Tonga
Ongoing
Mexico Initiated
Panama
Ongoing
EUROPE
Albania
Completed; implementation initiated
Peru
Ongoing
Azerbaijan
Initiated
St. Lucia
Ongoing
Bosnia/Herzegovina Completed; implementation initiated
Trinidad & Tobago Ongoing
Croatia
Completed; implementation initiated
Cyprus
Completed; implementation initiated
NORTH
Canada
Completed implementation ongoing
AMERICA
Finland
Completed; implementation ongoing
France
Completed; implementation initiated
WEST ASIA Lebanon
Completed - implementation initiated
(Mediterranean)
Palestinian Authority Completed - implementation initiated
Greece
Completed; implementation initiated
Syria
Completed - implementation initiated
Iceland
Completed
Yemen
Completed implementation ongoing
1Comoros, Kenya, Madagascar, Mauritius, Mozambique, Seychelles, South Africa and Tanzania
2Angola, Benin, Cameroon, Cape Verde, Congo, DR Congo, Cote d'Ivoire, Gabon, Ghana, Equatorial Guinea, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Liberia, Sao
Tome and Principe; Togo; Nigeria is also part of the project but started the NPA process independently before the GCLME project was approved
the national level policy, however, such
ing, or have finalized, their respective
The leverage of locally available, domes-
as those resulting from a change in
NPAs (UNEP-GPA 2006) (Table 1). The
tic financial resources is another con-
administration following elections, may
GPA and the international community
straint in realizing implementation activ-
delay the NPA processes that are being
have been working to provide guidance,
ities on the ground.
initiated.
support, and funding to nations in their
Nevertheless, the number of countries
attempts to devise and implement NPAs.
UNEP/GPA has provided substantive
working on NPAs for GPA implementa-
Governments are facing a bottleneck in
support to national governments in the
tion indicates that countries recognize
terms of personnel resources available at
development of their national pro-
the need for and are embarking on
location to bring good ideas to the level
grammes of action. As a result, over 60
national level planning with respect to
of bankable, demand-driven projects.
countries are in the process of develop-
the GPA. A next step is to ensure that
23
these issues are embedded in the MDG-
marine and coastal environments and
based Poverty Reduction Strategy
facilitate links between the national gov-
Reduction Plans (PRSPs).
ernments relevant to each instrument.
During the 1995 Intergovern-
The GPA has been able to capitalize on
International Actions Towards
these networks in several ways through
mental Conference, held in
Achievement of Goals
integrated regional actions, e.g. legisla-
At the 2002 World Summit on
tive reviews, capacity building work-
Washington DC, when the Global
Sustainable Development, governments
shops and pilot projects.
Programme of Action (GPA) was
and NGOs committed to the full imple-
As noted, partnerships to facilitate the
mentation of the GPA. The Johannesburg
adopted, governments expressed
implementation of the GPA have provid-
Plan of Implementation provides for
ed added momentum towards achieving
advancing the implementation of the
their commitment to protect and
the WSSD goal. For example:
GPA and the Montreal Declaration on the
preserve the marine environment
Protection of the Marine Environment
· Partnerships with the White Water to
from Land-based Activities. Each coun-
Blue Water initiative, the Hilltops-2-
from impacts of land-based
try has to select a suitable implementa-
Oceans (H2O) initiative, the UN-
activities, and their intention to
tion approach following guidelines pro-
HABITAT/WHO/WSSCC partnership,
vided by the GPA Coordination Office in
UN-Oceans, UN-Water, UNESCO/IHE
cooperate on a regional basis to
the development of national programmes
and others, have strengthened global
of action. Partnerships among intergov-
cooperation on this issue.
coordinate efforts for maximum
ernmental organizations, government
· The `FreshCo' Partnership, and other
efficiency and to facilitate action
agencies and NGOs from various coun-
similar efforts through which the GPA
tries were formed specifically to imple-
at the national level. This is one
works to link freshwater and coastal
ment GPA, including the White Water to
issues. The GPA also works to bring
of the deliverables we are proudly
Blue Water initiative and the Hilltops-2-
attention to the interlinkages between
Oceans initiatives, which inspired signif-
Integrated Water Resources
demonstrating and reflecting the
icant enthusiasm and collaboration at
Management, Integrated River-basin
their launching. However, since many
efforts towards implementing
Management and Integrated Coastal
stakeholders are to be involved in the
Area Management. In addition,
the Johannesburg Plan of
partnerships, in the development of
Guiding Principles for Integrated
National Programmes of Action (NPAs),
Implementation and the
Coastal Area and River Basin
as well as in the development and imple-
Management (ICARM), which strives
mentation of cross-cutting themes and
WSSD resolutions.
to incorporate these concepts, have
programmatic components, sufficient
been developed by UNEP.
time and support should be allowed for
participatory processes to be established
--Hon. Rejoice Mabudafhasi,
and to be carried out.
The Bottom Line and
Deputy Minister of Environmental
Affairs and Tourism, South Africa
Regional actions including GPA regional
Outstanding Issues
meetings, regional meetings on
In an effort to reinforce the linkages
Municipal Wastewater Management,
between freshwater and oceans and
Physical Alterations and Destruction of
coasts, participants at the Third Global
Habitats (PADH) consultation meetings,
Conference suggested that the following
regional meetings on implementation of
themes be incorporated into the
LBS (land-based sources) protocols, and
Ministerial Declaration at the 4th World
Small Island Developing States regional
Water Forum:
meetings, have all addressed GPA imple-
mentation. The UNEP Regional Seas
1. The goals of sustainable development
Programme also provides an important
cannot be met without linking fresh-
platform for coordinated implementation
water to coasts and oceans. This is
of the GPA. Regional Seas conventions
particularly true in small island
and action plans bring together major
developing States.
regional actors involved in the manage-
2.Because impacts collect and are con-
ment and sustainable development of
centrated in coastal zones, a key goal
24
of integrated water resource manage-
ment is to address coastal and oceans
impacts.
With regard to the World Bank/ GEF Strategic Partnership
3.Actions are needed at the local level
throughout the watershed.
Investment Fund for Land-Based Pollution Reduction in the Seas
Several sessions at recent international
of East Asia, our approach is not to create something new, but to
freshwater and ocean meetings (includ-
ing the 4th World Water Forum) high-
build on the excellent work that has already been done. This regional
lighted the inextricable connection
coordination project will be implemented by PEMSEA, and some of
between freshwater and oceans and
made specific recommendations for cre-
the benefits of the partnership modality include: the creation of a
ating linkages among management
regimes for watersheds, river basins,
forum for dialogue between the financiers and technical specialists;
coasts, and oceans. However, bridging
facilitation of common monitoring and evaluation; alignment of
barriers between freshwater and coastal/
marine institutions and communities
lending priorities of World Bank with borrowing priorities of clients;
remains a formidable challenge.
an opportunity to test activities that do not have a well-defined
To build upon the momentum of the
4th World Water Forum and other
defined borrower; and an opportunity to support those with the
international events addressing fresh-
courage to change.
water to oceans linkages, the 2nd
Intergovernmental Review of the GPA
will include a Partnership Day that will
--Dr. Mara Warwick,
be modeled after the White Water to
East Asia and Pacific Region,
Blue Water Partnership.
World Bank /GEF Strategic Partnership
Implementing the GPA requires broad
for East Asian GPA Issues
thinking about the interaction between
freshwater resources and the coastal and
marine environment. Achieving this goal is
also tied to the goals of achieving
effective integrated ocean and coastal
resource management as well as Integrated
Water Resource Management (IWRM).
The First Intergovernmental Review of the
GPA (held in 2001) facilitated the recogni-
tion of the GPA as a valuable tool for fur-
thering ecosystem approaches to the man-
agement of oceans, coasts, and islands.
During the Second Intergovernmental
Review of the GPA (to be held October
16-20, 2006 in Beijing, China), progress
achieved to date will be reviewed and the
programme of work for the period 2007-
2011 will be developed. This review pres-
ents another key opportunity to advance
the application of ecosystem-based man-
agement by recognizing the inextricable
link between freshwater, coastal, and
ocean ecosystems.
25
Biodiversity and Marine
Protected Areas
Johannesburg Plan of
Background
Biodiversity concerns are especially
prevalent in island ecosystems. The
Implementation:
Biological diversity, as defined in the Earth is home to more than 130,000
Convention on Biological Diversity
islands, which host more than 500 mil-
N To achieve by 2010 a significant reduction
(CBD) is "the variability among living
lion people. Islands contain half of the
of the current rate of biodiversity loss at
organisms from all sources including,
world's tropical marine biodiversity;
the global, regional and national level as a
inter alia, terrestrial, marine and other
especially notable is the fact that 12 of
aquatic ecosystems and the ecological
contribution to poverty alleviation and to
the 18 centers of marine endemism as
complexes of which they are part; this
well as seven of the ten coral reef
the benefit of all life on earth
includes diversity within species,
hotspots occur in island ecosystems.
N
between species and of ecosystems"
Develop and facilitate the use of diverse
Island species are in many cases highly
(Article 2: 1992 UN Convention on
threatened and islands are also the sites
approaches and tools, including the
Biological Diversity). The CBD, through
of the greatest number of species extinc-
ecosystem approach, the elimination of
the Jakarta Mandate, is the main interna-
tions. There are highly diverse cultures
destructive fishing practices, the establish-
tional agreement leading conservation of
found in the 43 Small Island Developing
ment of marine protected areas consistent
marine and coastal biodiversity. Many
States (SIDS) and these cultures rely
with international law and based on
international agencies and non-govern-
heavily on marine biodiversity for their
mental organizations also contribute to
scientific information, including
livelihoods. In many cases these islands
this effort by assisting a number of
face unique challenges in the conserva-
representative networks by 2012
nations with their efforts to establish pro-
tion and sustainable use of island biodi-
tected areas.
versity (Miles, 2006).
The 2005 Millennium Ecosystem Assess-
One method to halt the loss of marine
ment highlighted significant declines in
and coastal biodiversity is through the
biodiversity, including marine and
use of marine protected areas (as noted
coastal biodiversity; for example:
in the WSSD goals). The main responsi-
Biodiversity loss is an issue with
· During the later part of the twentieth
bility to conserve biodiversity, in con-
complex social, economic, cultural,
century, approximately 40% of the
junction with networks of marine pro-
world's coral reefs were lost or degraded.
tected areas (MPAs), lies with national
and ecological dimensions, and
During that same time, approximately
governments. International organiza-
complex solutions are required
35% of mangrove area was also lost.
tions, regional institutions, and non-gov-
ernmental organizations provide assis-
· The species extinction rate has
to resolve it.
tance, as well, to meet these commit-
increased greatly over the past several
ments through such actions as project
centuries, possibly to as much as
--Madame Fientje Moerman,
development, funding, guidance on best
1000 times the naturally occurring
Vice-Minister-President of the
practices, indicator development, etc.
Flemish Government and
or "background" extinction rates.
For example, the World Conservation
Flemish Minister for Economy,
· Key factors in loss of diversity include
Union (IUCN) has developed guidance
Enterprise, Science, Innovation and
a variety of changes to ecosystems,
for MPA managers on linking MPAs to
Foreign Trade, Belgium
such as habitat loss, overharvesting,
Integrated Coastal and Ocean
invasive species, pollution, and cli-
Management (Belfiore, Cicin-Sain, and
mate change (Millennium Ecosystem
Ehler, 2004).
Assessment 2005).
26
National actions
of nearshore marine ecosystems and 20%
of terrestrial ecosystems by 2020. This
It is encouraging to note that of the coun-
Senegal has introduced a strategy
effort is being led by Palau, the Federated
tries that had submitted their CBD Third
States of Micronesia, the Marshall Islands,
to develop and manage marine
National Reports by January 2006
and the US territories of Guam and
(approximately 60), the majority have
Northern Marianas Islands (MPANews,
protected areas, in line with the
taken action to designate protected areas
2006). The Nature Conservancy and
(Table 1). Upcoming work by the
recommendations of the World
Conservation International have already
Secretariat of the Convention on Biological
pledged $6 million dollars to support this
Conservation Union (IUCN) World
Diversity and the Global Forum on
initiative with the goal of obtaining match-
Oceans, Coasts, and Islands will prepare a
Congress on Protected Areas held
ing funds from donor countries and inter-
more detailed report on national efforts to
national or regional finance mechanisms
in Durban in 2003. Ten protected
conserve marine and coastal biodiversity
(CI, 2006). In addition, the president of
both through protected areas and coastal
Kiribati announced the formation of the
marine areas are being established
and ocean management efforts.
world's third-largest marine reserve, the
in close cooperation with partners
A variety of initiatives in marine biodversi-
Phoenix Islands Protected Area, which
ty conservation are underway at national
covers both coral reef and deep-sea habitat
from civil society, the private sector
and regional levels. A major development
(Vierros, 2006).
and international institutions
to improve biodiversity conservation in
Australia is using a bioregional planning
the Pacific was announced during the
model to identify key conservation val-
and bodies.
Eighth Conference of the Parties to the
ues, features and threatening processes
Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD-
through a comprehensive ecological pro-
--Honorable Thierno Lo,
COP8) in March 2006. During the meet-
file. These plans will include the current
Minister for the Environment and
ing, President Tommy Remengesau of
suite of biodiversity conservation tools
Protection of Nature, Senegal
Palau presented the "Micronesian
available to the Australian Government
Challenge," a shared initiative to develop a
including threatened species recovery
network of protected areas among the
plans will also include baseline data to
planning, threat abatement plans, and
islands of Micronesia. The initiative com-
measure ecological sustainability on a
marine protected area development. The
mits nations to protect at least 30 percent
regularized, five year cycle (Petrachenko
and Addison, 2005).
Table 1. Status of MPAs as reported in the CBD Third National Reports
In Canada, the Oceans Act of 1997 pro-
vides the mandate to develop a National
Status of MPAs*
Percentage of Reporting Countries
Marine Protected Areas program as well
(no. of countries)
as a Marine Ecosystem Health program.
Designated some MPAs
71% (51)
In addition, the Act required the devel-
Management plans developed with involvement of all stakeholders
63% (45)
opment of an ocean strategy (Canada's
Ocean Strategy), which was completed
Have effective management with enforcement and monitoring
46% (33)
in 2002. This strategy was, in part, based
Had plans to develop new MPAs
74% (53)
on lessons learned over five years of
Plans to improve management of existing MPAs
71% (51)
pilot-testing over 30 integrated manage-
ment and marine protected area projects
MPA system or network under development
51% (37)
(Mageau, VanderZwaag and Farlinger,
MPA system or network in place
29% (21)
2005).
*As reported in Convention on Biological Diversity Third National Reports received and analyzed prior to July 6, 2006.
27
The fisheries sector in Viet Nam
has recently experienced spectacular
development (worth $2.5 billion
dollars in exports in 2005).
To maintain sustainable fisheries
development, the Vietnamese
The United Kingdom has developed a
is needed. The parties recognized the
Government has selected the
strategy to meet the WSSD commitments
role of the UN Convention on the Law of
ecosystem-based and integrated
in three main areas: sustainable fisheries,
the Sea (UNCLOS) and the UN General
conservation and sustainable manage-
Assembly in addressing issues related to
management approaches,
ment of marine and coastal biodiversity;
marine areas beyond national jurisdic-
carrying out such initiatives as:
and oceans governance and partner-
tion, and requested that the CBD
ships. In relation to protected areas, the
Executive Secretary, in collaboration with
--setting up a masterplan for a
UK has committed to identify a network
the UN Division for Ocean Affairs and
of marine protected areas by 2006 under
the Law of the Sea and other relevant
national system of marine
the Commission for the Protection of the
organizations, continue to analyze
Marine Environment of the North-East
options to prevent and mitigate impacts
protected areas;
Atlantic (OSPAR). As of 2005, 74 inshore
on selected habitats of the deep seabed
Special Areas of Conservation have been
(Vierros, 2006b).
--developing the legal framework
identified (DEFRA, 2005).
Although there appears to be broad con-
for coastal and marine biodiver-
Major areas of uncertainty
sensus that something must happen to
reverse the trend of degradation and to
sity management (Law of
One issue that remains unresolved is the
address emerging threats, there is not yet
conservation of marine biological diver-
Environmental Protection
agreement on what specifically should be
sity beyond national jurisdiction (the
done. Proposals range from increasing
(1994), Biodiversity Action Plan
high seas and deep seabed). In February
research to better understand the oceans,
of 2006, the UN Ad hoc Open-ended
(1995), Law of Fisheries (2004))
to the development of a new implement-
Informal Working Group to Study Issues
ing agreement under UNCLOS, and pos-
Relating to the Conservation and
which incorporates decrees and
sibly a joint protocol between UNCLOS
Sustainable Use of Marine Biological
and CBD.
regulations on MPAs, wetlands,
Diversity Beyond Areas of National
Jurisdiction (called for in UNGA resolu-
marine fisheries management,
tion 59/24) met in New York to address
Bottom line and
as well as some marine policies
this issue. At the close of the meeting it
Outstanding Issues
was agreed that there are many areas
related to marine environment
where further study is needed, including:
Considering progress on the achieve-
1) improved understanding of the
ment of the WSSD biodiversity and
protection and conservation;
resources and human impacts, 2)
marine protected area goals, it seems that
research into the development of man-
in this area tangible progress has been
--developing the institutional
agement options, 3) improved under-
made since 2002. Important initiatives
framework for coastal and
standing of the economic and socio-eco-
are underway at both national and
nomic aspects, and 4) understanding the
regional levels, and in the CBD national
marine biodiversity
related legal and institutional issues.
reports, a large proportion of nations
reporting note that they have designated
management.
During CBD COP8 in March 2006, two
MPAs and also have plans to create MPA
aspects of this issue were also discussed:
networks and to improve existing MPAs.
Dr. Nguyen Viet Thang,
deep seabed genetic resources and
Vice-Minister, Vietnam Ministry of Fisheries
marine protected areas beyond national
Implementation of the WSSD biodiversi-
jurisdiction. It was emphasized on both
ty and MPA goals benefits from the con-
issues that further scientific information
nection to an international convention--
28
the Convention on Biological Diversity--
MPAs covering 2.2 million square kilo-
and its Secretariat, which provide a well-
meters. This shows progress, but still
organized structure and process for
only accounts for 0.6% of all the oceans
To achieve sustainable
advancing biodiversity around the
(although it accounts for 6% of the terri-
world. In this area, too, there is good
torial seas). Unfortunately these increas-
management of the Croatian
monitoring and regular reporting of
es are not sufficient at the current rate of
coast, islands, and the Adriatic
progress on biodiversity conservation
designation to reach the goal of networks
through such means as the national
of marine protected areas by 2012. If the
sea, we are currently in the
reports, the conference of the parties,
current rate of designation is simply
process of establishing a unique
and the scientific meetings. This is not
maintained, one study predicts that the
the case with regard to many of the other
2012 WSSD goal will not be met until
network of marine protected areas
WSSD goals.
2085 (MPA News, 2005).
along the coast, linking existing
Many challenges still remain in the estab-
The issue of high seas and deep seabed
lishment of networks of marine protect-
biodiversity will continue to be a key
protected areas with planned
ed areas, including, for example, insuffi-
issue in the coming years. There is an
future marine protected areas,
cient funding, inadequate awareness
important opportunity to build momen-
about the value of the resources, lack of
tum towards resolving this issue in a col-
using an integrated approach
political will and lack of shared long-
laborative and inclusive way in the near
term vision among stakeholders (Vierros,
term. Many national governments,
to conserve and manage the
2006a).
NGOs, as well as intergovernmental
cultural and natural heritage
organizations are poised to move for-
It is also important to embed the creation
ward and take significant steps towards
of this region.
of MPAs within broader governance sys-
conserving and maintaining biodiversity
tems of integrated ocean and coastal
in marine areas beyond national jurisdic-
management. These considerations are
--Mr. Zoran Sikic,
tion.
essential because the effectiveness of
Assistant Minister of Culture,
Government of Croatia
MPAs is not only influenced by the man-
Finally, it is important to underline that
agement of activities within the designat-
the achievement of the biodiversity con-
ed areas, but also human activities that
servation goals is directly tied to the
are sometimes far removed from the pro-
efforts to meet the goals related to fish-
tected area. Without consideration of the
eries as well as the goals on integrated
broader governance and management
ocean and coastal management and on
context, protected areas can be fated to
ecosystem management. These goals
become "islands of protection in a sea of
should be considered mutually support-
use" (Cicin-Sain and Belfiore, 2005).
ing and, to the extent possible, they
should be considered as parts of a whole.
Despite obstacles, globally there has been
a 3-5% increase in the rate of marine
protection over the last century. As of
2005, there were approximately 4,600
29
Small Island Developing
States and Oceans
Johannesburg Plan of
Small island developing states (SIDS) review of the implementation of the
are characterized as large ocean Barbados Programme of Action for the
Implementation:
states due to establishment of 200 mile
Sustainable Development of Small Island
Exclusive Economic Zones (EEZs), result-
Developing States in 2004, in accordance
N Undertake a comprehensive review
ing in these small islands being custodians
with the provisions set forth in General
of the implementation of the Barbados
of much of the world's ocean space.
Assembly resolution S-22/2..." (UNCSD
Programme of Action for the Sustainable
Despite the fact that SIDS have large
2005)).
Development of Small Island Developing
ocean areas rich in resources (fisheries, oil
The ten-year review of the BPoA was held
and gas, minerals, renewable energy),
States in 2004
in Port Louis, Mauritius in January 2005.
many island States are unable to benefit
The Mauritius International Meeting
from the existence of these resources
resulted in the Mauritius Strategy for the
The special challenges dictated by
within their EEZs a result of inadequate
Further Implementation of the Programme of
technical and management capacity. For
the unique case and vulnerabilities
Action for the Sustainable Development of Small
example, SIDS often lack the technologies
Island Developing States. The Mauritius
of the SIDS are well defined,
necessary for the sustainable use of ocean
Strategy notes the actions needed in order
explained, prioritized and presented
resources. Another issue of major concern
to achieve implementation of the BPoA.
to SIDS is the threat of climate change and
in the Mauritius Strategy for the
Section IV of the Mauritius Strategy relates
the associated sea level rise predictions.
to coastal and marine resources and
Further Implementation of the
The significant vulnerability of the natural
includes seven items (26-32), including
environment, economy, and social struc-
Barbados Programme of Action for
issues associated with delimitation of mar-
ture of SIDS has been well established.
itime boundaries, assessment of living and
the Sustainable Development of
Even though similar problems are present
non-living marine resources, financial and
Small Island Developing States
in most or all developing countries,
technical assistance, capacity building,
because of the inherent characteristics of
(MSI). As the blueprint of the global
ascension to the U.N. Fish Stocks
SIDS, they are felt more acutely by these
Agreement, enforcement, and the imple-
partnership between SIDS and the
countries.
mentation of the UNEP Global
international community for the sus-
In April 1994, the Global Conference on
Programme of Action for the Protection of
the Marine Environment from Land-based
tainable development of SIDS, the
Sustainable Development of Small Island
Developing States
was convened in
Activities, among other issues (see Box 1).
task now is to effectively implement
Barbados. This was the first conference
Another outcome of the Mauritius
the Strategy on the ground in SIDS.
that translated Agenda 21 into a pro-
International Meeting was the creation
gramme of action for a group of coun-
of a Small Island Developing States
Universities Consortium to further SIDS
--Ambassador Enele Sopoaga,
tries: the Barbados Programme of Action on the
Sustainable Development of Small Island
cooperation on sustainable development
Tuvalu, Vice-Chair, Alliance of
Developing States (BPoA). The BPoA sets
education and to strengthen the national
Small Island States (AOSIS)
forth a fourteen point program identify-
capacity of small island states to imple-
ing proiority actions and measures to be
ment the Barbados Programme of Action
*Note: The emphasis in this section is on SIDS/UNEP and oceans.
Therefore, other WSSD goals related to SIDS (community-based
taken at the national, regional and inter-
and the Mauritius International Strategy.
initiatives on sustainable tourism; implementation of the GPA
national levels in support of the sustain-
The five founding member institutions
regarding waste management and pollution; energy services) are
not explicitly covered due to data and time limitations. Regarding
able development of SIDS.
include the universities of Malta,
the goal related to GPA and waste management, it should be noted
Mauritius, South Pacific, Virgin Islands,
that a SIDS/UNEP partnership on waste management will be fea-
The 2002 WSSD called for States to
tured at the forthcoming Intergovernmental Review of the GPA
and West Indies.
"undertake a full and comprehensive
(IGR-2) in Beijing in October 2006.
30
In October and November 2005, the UN
Table 1. Status of Multilateral Environmental
With regard to progress achieved on the
Department of Economic and Social
Agreement Ratification by Small Island
ocean and coastal management aspects of
Developing States (SIDS) as of 2004.
Affairs convened regional and inter-
the Barbados Programme of Action and
regional meetings of Small Island
Convention
Percent of SIDS
related aspects, Loper et al (2005) ana-
(no. countries)
Developing States in collaboration with
lyzed the National Assessment Reports
Framework Convention on
100% (41)
relevant regional organizations and
prepared by SIDS nations in 2004 for the
Climate Change (UNFCCC)
stakeholders, for the follow-up of the
Mauritius International Meeting and the
Convention on Biological
100% (41)
implementation of the Mauritius Strategy
Country Profiles prepared by SIDS nations
Diversity
for Implementation. The meetings were
for the 2002 Johannesburg Summit. Both
Law of the Sea (UNCLOS)
93% (38)
held in St. Kitts & Nevis (5-7 October),
the 2004 National Assessment Reports
Kyoto Protocol
68% (28))
Samoa (17-19 October), Seychelles (26-
and the 2002 Country Profiles addressed
MARPOL I/II (Oil/Noxious)
68% (28)
28 October), and Rome (15-16
oceans and coastal issues within a specific
Basel Convention
63% (26)
November). Recommendations emanat-
chapter.
(Transboundary Waste)
ing from the meetings pushed for the
CITES (Trade in End. Species)
61% (25)
As can be seen in Table 2, there has been
establishment of enabling environments
Agmt. On UNCLOS Part IX
59 (24)
good progress on some aspects of ocean
at the national, regional and internation-
London Dumping Convention
46% (19)
and coastal management, such as the
al levels to support the implementation
Cartagena Protocol on Biosafety
46% (19)
establishment of marine protected areas by
of the Mauritius Strategy (UN DESA
61% of the reporting countries. On the
2006).
1995 U.N. Fish Stocks
41% (17)
Agreement
other hand, there has been little progress
In addition, the Food and Agriculture
Ramsar Convention (Wetlands)
39% (16)
in core issues related to ocean and coastal
Organization (FAO) held a one-day
Stockholm Convention
17% (7)
management: no SIDS had delimited their
Special Ministerial Event on Food
(Persistent Organic Pollutants)
EEZs and deposited EEZ coordinates with
Security and Sustainable Development in
High Seas Fishing
15% (6)
the UN Division of Ocean Affairs and Law
Small Island Developing States on 18
Vessels Agreement
of the Sea; only 20% of countries have
November 2005 to examine FAO's
Rotterdam Convention
10% (4)
developed specific institutions or intera-
(Pesticides)
action in SIDS and the Mauritius Strategy
gency mechanisms for the coordination of
as they relate to agriculture, forestry and
Source: Loper et al, 2004.
integrated coastal and ocean management;
fisheries. The event focused on issues
and only 7% had enacted national coastal
studies to ascertain progress achieved,
related to food security, nutrition and
zone acts.
since 1994, on the ratification of interna-
environmental resilience and proposed
tional environmental agreements, on
Table 2. Trends in National Level Implemen-
concrete action. On 23 November, FAO
oceans and coasts, and on related areas of
tation of Oceans and Coasts Components of
held a Special Meeting of Heads of State
climate change and sea level rise, waste
the Barbados Programme of Action: Ocean
and Government of Small Island
and Coastal Management
management, and sustainable tourism.
Developing States to consider action pro-
Status
Percentage of SIDS
posals recommended by the Ministerial
Table 1 shows a high level of ratification
(no. countries)
Event of 18 November and adopted the
among SIDS nations (as of 2004) on major
Developed specific institutions or
20% (8)
Rome Declaration which highlights prin-
international conventions, as called for in
interagency mechanisms for the
ciples and actions of critical importance
the Barbados Programme of Action, most
coordination of integrated coastal
to SIDS (UN DESA 2006). The out-
prominently, the Framework Convention
and ocean management.
comes, including endorsed project pro-
on Climate Change, the Convention on
Entrusted the coordination of
44% (18)
posals were to be submitted by FAO to a
Biological Diversity, and the Law of the Sea
marine and coastal issues to
donor meeting in January 2006 (FAO
Convention. The nature of some of the
national environmental institutions.
2006).
problems faced by SIDS (e.g. climate
change, marine pollution, depletion of fish
Delimited EEZ and deposited EEZ
0% (0)
Implementation of the
coordinates with the UN Division of
stocks) dictates that they are best resolved
Barbados Programme of Action and
Ocean Affairs and Law of the Sea
through regional or international coopera-
the Mauritius Strategy in relation
(DOALOS).
tion. Although SIDS show high levels of
to oceans
participation in some agreements, howev-
Enacted National
63% (26)
To contribute to the review of progress
Environmental Acts
er, most face serious financial, technical,
achieved on the Barbados Programme of
and capacity constraints in implementing
Action at the Mauritius International
these conventions (Loper et al 2004).
Meeting, the Global Forum (with support
from UNEP/GPA) carried out several
31
Table 2, continued
Box 1. Actions needed in order to achieve implementation of the BPoA on coastal and marine resources,
as provided for in the Mauritius Strategy.
Status
Percentage of SIDS
IV. Coastal and marine resources
(no. countries)
26. Small island developing States are defined by their historic, cultural and economic links to the oceans and seas. They continue to be heav-
Enacted laws that provide for
ily dependent on their marine resources, particularly for the sustainable livelihoods of coastal communities. The management of coastal and
Environmental Impact
marine resources have become integrated into broader ocean management strategies since the entry into force of the United Nations Convention
Assessment 32%
(13)
on the Law of the Sea.11 However, for small island developing States that are States parties to the Convention, implementation continues to be
impeded by financial constraints and a lack of capacity.
Developed National Sustainable
44% (18)
27. To overcome these constraints, it is important to give appropriate priority at all levels, including in national and regional sustainable devel-
Development Plans, and Biological
opment agendas, to ocean issues, including fisheries. Further action is required by small island developing States, with the necessary support
Diversity National Strategies. (Note:
of the international community, to enable small island developing States to, among other things:
The Cook Islands, Marshal
(a) Complete the delimitation of their maritime boundaries;
Islands and Samoa have developed
(b) Submit any claims to the Continental Shelf Commission by 13 May 2009 or such later date as may be applicable in accordance with the
Marine Resources Plans.)
provisions of the Convention on the Law of the Sea;
Enacted National Coastal Zone Acts
7% (3)
(c) Further the work on the assessment of living and non-living seabed resources within their national jurisdiction.
Developed national initiatives for
46% (19)
28. Further action is required by small island developing States, with the necessary support of the international community, to build technical
integrated coastal management.
and financial capacities to:
(a) Establish effective monitoring, reporting and enforcement, and control of fishing vessels, including by small island developing States as flag
Enacted legislation on watershed
27% (11)
States, to further implement international plans of action to prevent, deter and eliminate illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing and to man-
planning, which includes coastal
age fishing capacity;
watershed management.
(b) Strengthen or develop, where necessary, national and regional sustainable and responsible fisheries management mechanisms consistent
Established Marine
61% (25)
with the 1995 Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations Code of Conduct for Responsible Fisheries;
Protected Areas (MPAs)
(c) Fully implement surveillance and monitoring systems;
Source: Loper et al, 2005.
(d) Analyse and assess the status of fish stocks;
(e) If they have not yet done so, consider becoming parties to the 1995 Agreement for the Implementation of the Provisions of the United
Loper et al (2005) also analyzed trends in
Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea of 10 December 1982 relating to the Conservation and Management of Straddling Fish Stocks and
several areas related to ocean and coastal
Highly Migratory Fish Stocks13 and the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations 1993 Agreement to Promote Compliance
with International Conservation and Management Measures by Fishing Vessels on the High Seas,14 as well as relevant regional agreements for
management on which reports were avail-
the conservation and management of fisheries;
able in the National Assessment Reports
(f) Establish or enhance the necessary infrastructure and legislative and enforcement capabilities to ensure effective compliance with, and imple-
and the WSSD country reports.
mentation and enforcement of, their responsibilities under international law. In this regard, until such action is undertaken small island devel-
oping States flag States are encouraged to consider declining the granting of the right to fly their flag to new vessels, suspending their registry
With regard to climate change and sea
or not opening a registry.
level rise, a majority of reporting SIDS
29. Distant-water fishing nations are encouraged to provide small island developing States with adequate technical and financial support to
have produced a national sea level rise
enhance the effective and sustainable management of their fisheries resources.
adaptation plan (63%), have a national
30. In collaboration with other States and making use of regional mechanisms, small island developing States will work to put in place inte-
disaster preparation and response plan
grated policies and sound management approaches, such as marine protected areas, consistent with relevant international agreements, and
develop national capacity to monitor, conserve and sustainably manage coral reefs and associated ecosystems, taking into account the pro-
(61%), and have prepared greenhouse
gramme of work on marine and coastal biological diversity adopted by the Conference of Parties to the Convention on Biological Diversity at
emissions assessments (54%). These
its seventh session. Small island developing States should address as a priority the impacts of coastal development, coastal tourism, intensive
and destructive fishing practices and pollution, as well as the unreported and illegal trade in corals, on the future health of coral reefs. To facil-
efforts have been facilitated by the avail-
itate these initiatives, the international community should provide technical and financial support for:
ability of funding related to meeting com-
(a) Regional monitoring efforts and Global Ocean Observing System;
mitments related to the Climate Change
(b) Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission marine science programmes that are of particular relevance to small island developing
Convention.
States;
Regarding the management of tourism in
(c) The strengthening, where appropriate, of representative networks of marine protected areas, consistent with decision VII/2816 of the
SIDS, typically based on ocean and coastal
Conference of Parties to the Convention on Biological Diversity;
assets, the data show that the majority of
(d) Activities to address the impact of coral bleaching, including enhancing resistance and recovery.
SIDS countries reporting have some kind
31. Small island developing States and relevant regional and international development partners should work together to develop and imple-
of tourism agency at the national level
ment regional initiatives to promote the sustainable conservation and management of coastal and marine resources, drawing upon best prac-
tices from other regions, including the Pacific Islands Regional Ocean Policy, the designation of the Caribbean Sea as a special area in the con-
(88%), have developed national tourism
text of sustainable development, the ocean governance project involving all regions, and the establishment of related initiatives in other small
strategies or plans (59%), have developed
island developing States regions.
sustainable tourism standards or an eco-
32. Small island developing States and the international development partners should fully implement the Global Programme of Action for the
tourism accreditation scheme (54%), and
Protection of the Marine Environment from Land-based Activities, particularly with the support of the United Nations
have shown evidence of ecotourism or
36. The international community is requested to provide assistance to small island developing States for capacity-building for the development
and further implementation of freshwater and sanitation programmes, and the promotion of integrated water resources management, includ-
community-based tourism (63%) (Loper
ing through the Global Environment Facility focal areas, where appropriate, the World Water Assessment Programme, and through support to
et al, 2005).
the Global Programme of Action Coordination Office and the EU "Water for Life Initiative".
32
Table 3. Trends in National Level Implemen-
· The Cook Islands has made positive
Table 4. Trends in National Level Implementa-
tation of Oceans and Coasts Components of
strides in meeting the Millennium
tion of Oceans and Coasts Components of the
the Barbados Programme of Action: Climate
Development Goals, particularly those
Barbados Programme of Action: Tourism
Change and Sea level Rise.
related to management of waste and
Status
Percentage of SIDS
Status
Percentage of SIDS
monitoring biodiversity.
(no. countries)
(no. countries)
Have some kind of tourism
88% (36)
Produced or are in the
63% (26)
· The Cook Islands has developed a
agency at the national level
process of producing a
National Development Plan and a
Have installed these
49% (20)
national sea level
draft Tourism Master Plan to assist the
organizations at the ministry
adaptation plan.
country with the implementation of
or secretary of state level,
Have national offices dedicated
22% (9)
the Mauritius Strategy.
such as a Ministry of Tourism
to issues of climate change and
· Sao Tome and Principe is currently
or Secretary of State of Tourism.
sea level rise.
in the implementation phase of its
Have developed national
59% (24)
Have a national disaster preparation
61% (25)
National Programme of Action for
tourism strategies or plans
and response plan.
addressing land-based sources of
Have adopted sustainable
54% (22)
Have a national office or agency
49% (20)
marine pollution as part of the
tourism standards or an ecotourism
dedicated to addressing
Guinea Current Large Marine
accreditation scheme
disaster issues.
Ecosystem Project.
Have shown positive evidence
63% (26)
Systems for early warning of citizens
29% (12)
· Many islands in the Caribbean have
of ecotourism or community-based
when disasters, such as cyclones,
put mechanisms in place to address
tourism, but it is not clear what
are imminent.
proportion of overall tourism
management of waste and water
Have renewable energy
37% (15)
activities are eco-tourism
pollution, such as:
system installed.
and/or involve local communities.
· Establishing Solid Waste
Greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions
54% (22)
Capacity building for tourism,
46% (19)
Management Authorities;
assessments have been completed.
including training of local workers.
Installed equipment for
20% (8)
· Developing Marine Pollution Acts;
Initiatives for cultural preservation
24% (10)
environmental monitoring such
· Acceding to relevant IMO
within SIDS related to tourism.
as tidal gauges and
instruments;
Source: Loper et al, 2005.
meteorological stations.
· Establishing sanitary land fill sites;
Have implemented projects for
34% (14)
Table 5. Trends in National Level
public education about climate
· Conducting public awareness and
Implementation of Oceans and Coasts
change and sea level rise.
sensitization campaigns on waste
Components of the Barbados Program of
management issues.
Have produced a specific
10% (4)
Action: Waste Management
assessment pertaining to
· Many Caribbean governments
Status
Percentage of SIDS
the socio-economic impact
are committed to the Integrated
(no. countries)
of sea level rise and
Watershed and Coastal Area Project,
Developed incentives for the minimization of
climate change.
funded by GEF, being executed by
wastes.
39% (16)
Source: Loper et al, 2005.
the UNEP Caribbean Environment
Some regulatory measures for the management of
Regarding waste management, a majority
Programme and the Caribbean
wastes and the control of pollution.
90% (37)
of reporting SIDS have put in place some
Environment Health Institute.
Accomplishment or the current development of
regulatory measures for the management
· Pacific SIDS are in the process
improvements in the disposal of solid domestic
of wastes and the control of pollution
of developing National Sustainable
wastes.
27% (11)
(90%), and have carried out surveys
Development Strategies, and some
Small and large scale recycling
39% (16)
related to the characterization of wastes
have already completed theirs.
initiatives.
and/or the establishment of monitoring
There is a need for additional
Performed specific or
51% (21)
programs (51%).
financial support to implement
comprehensive surveys
Other examples of progress, in specific
and complete the strategies.
related to the characterization
countries and regions, taking place after
of wastes and/or establishment
· The Pacific Islands Regional Ocean
the Mauritius meeting were highlighted
of monitoring programs.
51% (21)
Policy was endorsed by the Ministers
at the Global Conference (Walker, 2006):
in 2002 and is currently being
Source: Loper et al, 2005.
implemented at the national level
(see Box 2).
33
Box 2. The Pacific Islands Regional Ocean Policy
· During the thirteenth session of the
ly the Global Environment Facility)
Commission on Sustainable
(Global Forum on Oceans, Coasts, and
The Pacific Islands Regional Ocean Policy was
Development (CSD) it was decided
Islands 2006).
approved by Pacific Island leaders in 2002. It under-
that, during future meetings of the
scores the importance of the ocean to Pacific Island
Additionally, the Community of
nations and communities and serves to unify a num-
Commission, one full day will be
Portuguese-Speaking Nations (CPLP)
ber of existing regional initiatives that address issues
committed to addressing SIDS issues
held a separate workshop on The Seas of
relevant to management and development of ocean
(Walker 2006).
the Community of Portuguese-Speaking Nations,
and coastal resources and environments.
Implementation issues
as a part of The Ocean Policy Summit
The Regional Ocean Policy stems from "a regional
(October 10-14, 2005, organized by the
Despite the fact that SIDS have large
effort to achieve responsible ocean governance."
Global Forum on Oceans, Coasts, and
ocean areas rich in resources (fisheries,
The vision of the region's leaders, as embodied in the
Islands, in Lisbon, Portugal, and sup-
oil and gas, minerals, renewable energy),
policy, is a "healthy ocean that sustains the liveli-
ported by the Government of Portugal,
many island States are often unable to
hoods and aspirations of Pacific Island communities."
the Nippon Foundation, and other part-
benefit from the existence of these
The Policy's goal is to ensure the future sustainable
ners), which brought together high- level
resources within their EEZs as a result of
use of the ocean and its resources by both Pacific
representatives from the eight
lack of funding support and insufficient
Island communities and their external partners. The
Portuguese-speaking nations to discuss
technical and management capacity.
Policy views the ocean broadly, defining it "to include
common needs and prospective shared
the waters of the ocean, the living and non-living ele-
Reduced funding
solutions for addressing capacity build-
ments within, the seabed beneath and the ocean-
A major reason for problems in the
ing in ocean and coastal management,
atmosphere and ocean-island interfaces."
implementation of the BPoA has been
with a special emphasis on the
Portuguese-speaking Atlantic SIDS
The Pacific Islands Regional Ocean Forum (PIROF),
the decline in international support and
(Global Forum on Oceans, Coasts, and
2-6 February, 2004, University of the South Pacific,
resources. Reviews indicate a 50% reduc-
Islands 2006).
Suva, Fiji Islands, was held to gather input from a
tion in Official Development Assistance
wide variety of stakeholders regarding the actions
(ODA) to SIDS in the period 1994-2004
The follow-on activities to these assess-
that are needed to implement the Pacific Islands
(UN, 2004c). This decline in ODA is
ments under discussion are capacity
Regional Ocean Policy. The Forum was attended by
reflected in the lack of capacity to imple-
building initiatives for immediate imple-
over 200 people from more than 20 countries. The
ment environmental agreements ratified
mentation, including: 1) "ocean strategy"
discussions held at the Forum provided the basis for
by SIDS countries as well as in the lack of
workshops on ocean and coastal man-
the Policy's implementation framework, the Pacific
implementation of national plans and
agement for high-level SIDS officials, 2)
Islands Regional Ocean Framework for Integrated
legislation developed for ocean and
enhancement of the ocean and coastal
Strategic Action (PIROF-ISA).
coastal management, climate change and
management curricula in SIDS universi-
sea level rise, tourism, and waste man-
The Pacific Islands Regional Ocean Policy contains
ties through the SIDS Consortium of
guiding principles that are central to the goal of sus-
agement.
Universities; and 3) development of
tainable use of ocean resources, and these principles
The need for capacity development
training in ocean and coastal manage-
provide the structure that guides the Policy's imple-
ment for CPLP countries in Portuguese.
Another obstacle is the absence of tech-
mentation. Each of the principles or themes identified
The need to institutionalize follow-up
in the Policy is further developed in the implementa-
nical capacity, especially regarding EEZ
to the Mauritius Strategy and to for-
tion framework through a series of priority initiatives
and coastal management. There is con-
malize AOSIS
and actions. The overarching theme of improving
sensus that enhancing capacity develop-
ocean governance contains specific governance ini-
ment in ocean and coastal management
Another major obstacle emphasized at
tiatives and actions designed to create an enabling
is a priority need among the SIDS. In this
the Global Conference was insufficient
environment for implementation of the Policy. The
regard, the Global Forum on Oceans,
institutional support for systematic fol-
principle of creating partnerships and cooperation
Coasts, and Islands carried out, in late
low-up to the Mauritius Strategy.
underpins all of the others, as implementation must
2005, four assessments on the specific
Participants noted that there is an
be collaborative. The four central principles -- relat-
steps that can be taken to rapidly imple-
absence of a formalized integration,
ing to understanding of the ocean, sustainable devel-
ment the Mauritius Strategy in four SIDS
coordination, and monitoring mecha-
opment and management of ocean resources,
regions (Pacific, Caribbean, Indian
nism to assess implementation of the
health of the ocean, and peaceful use of the ocean
Ocean, and Atlantic), including specific
Mauritius Strategy at the national and
-- address issues at the heart of sustainable ocean
steps that need to be taken to enhance
regional level; there is a need to integrate
governance.
capacity development in each region
the Mauritius Strategy into the work pro-
(prepared by SIDS consultants with the
grams of relevant UN organizations; UN
Source: Pacific Islands Regional Ocean Policy.
http://www.spc.int/piocean/forum/New/welcome.htm
support of various governmental and
agencies should designate a focal point
nongovernmental partners, and especial-
within their agencies to be responsible
34
for SIDS issues and for Mauritius
Regarding ocean and coastal manage-
Global conference participants also
Strategy implementation; indicators for
ment in SIDS countries, based on the
underlined the need for a SIDS-driven
progress on the implementation of the
various reports and assessments pre-
mechanism to provide operational guid-
strategy should be established; funding
pared by the Global Forum and partners,
ance, mobilization of support, oversight,
for SIDSNET (the Internet service on
it is clear that most SIDS countries are
and monitoring and reporting on
small island issues) should be provided;
keenly aware of the importance of the
progress (or lack thereof) in the imple-
and SIDS themselves, too, should estab-
marine environment and its resources to
mentation of the Mauritius Strategy.
lish their own monitoring and evaluation
their sustainable development and eco-
Specific proposals for developing a for-
methodologies at the national level to
nomic stability.
mal institutional structure for the
assess their own implementation of the
Alliance of Small Island States (AOSIS),
Institutional capacity in integrated
Mauritius Strategy.
which has championed the cause of SIDS
coastal and ocean management, howev-
in all relevant intergovernmental fora,
Participants also underlined the need for
er, is constrained by weak institutions
were advanced to insure the implemen-
further evolution and development, and
and administration processes as well as
tation of the Mauritius Strategy.
the establishment of a formal institutional
lack of human, technical and financial
structure for the Alliance of Small Island
resources to develop and implement
States (AOSIS), which has championed
ocean and coastal policies. Many nations
One of the biggest problems we
the cause of SIDS in all relevant intergov-
lack specific institutions or administra-
ernmental fora, to insure the implementa-
tive processes to implement a cross-cut-
have seen in the implementation of
tion of the Mauritius Strategy. Specific
ting approach to planning and manage-
the Mauritius strategy has been the
proposals for developing an institutional
ment of oceans and coasts.
lack of proper coordination and the
charter, structure, and Secretariat for
No SIDS has delimited its EEZ due to
AOSIS were presented.
lack of a real monitoring body to
lack of capacity and/or boundary delimi-
insure implementation follow-up...
tation conflicts with neighboring states.
Bottom Line and
Only 20% of SIDS have dedicated coastal
We have come to the conclusion that
Outstanding Issues
management institutions; and only 7%
unless the Alliance of Small Island
have enacted coastal legislation. Most
States (AOSIS) constitutes itself in a
The Mauritius International Meeting
SIDS have not developed EEZ manage-
,providing a comprehensive review of
proper, structured organization, with a
ment plans; rather, they have created
the Barbados Programme of Action for
localized plans to manage fisheries and
formal structure and a formal charter,
the Sustainable Development of Small
pollution issues. The SIDS countries face
it will not be possible to ensure the full
Island States, has been successfully car-
significant difficulties in surveillance and
and proper implementation of the
ried out and the Mauritius Strategy has
enforcement within their EEZs, due to
been adopted. In this sense, the WSSD
Mauritius Strategy because there is
logistical and financial constraints, as
goal has been fulfilled. But, of course, the
well as the expansive nature of the areas
nobody else who will be able to do
WSSD goal is intended to further the
they control. Fisheries enforcement with-
that from the perspective of having a
implementation of the Barbados
in EEZs is thus a primary area of concern
full overview of the whole aspects of
Programme of Action, while adding
and difficulty.
other elements regarding new issues that
the Mauritius Strategy. So one of the
have arisen since 1994. In the long-term,
The SIDS assessments conducted by the
recommendations that we think
the issue is actual implementation of the
Global Forum and partners as a follow-
should come out from this conference
Mauritius Strategy. Rapid implementa-
up to the Mauritius International
tion will be dependent on the political
Meeting emphasize the need for capacity
is for AOSIS to formalize itself in a
will of SIDS leaders, on the provision of
development for ocean and coastal man-
proper structure so that it can act as
adequate financial resources and imple-
agement in SIDS. Specific initiatives that
the intergovernmental body and
mentation assistance from relevant inter-
are under discussion in this regard
follow up on the implementation
national entities, and on the efficient use
include the establishment of Ocean
of these resources by SIDS. As noted, the
Policy Strategy Workshops for high-level
of the Mauritius strategy.
level of Official Development Assistance
SIDS decisionmakers, and the strength-
to SIDS has declined by 50% in some
ening of relevant ocean and coastal man-
--Ambassador Jagdish Koonjul,
cases since 1994. Rapid implementation
agement curricula in SIDS universities
Foreign Affairs, Mauritius,
of the Mauritius Strategy will require a
through the new SIDS Consortium of
outgoing chair, Alliance of
Small Island Developing States
new infusion of development assistance
Universities established at the Mauritius
support.
International Meeting.
35
Sustainable Development
of Fisheries
currently underexploited and twenty-
ments. The UN Fish Stocks Agreement
Johannesburg Plan of
one percent are moderately exploited,
was reviewed in May 2006, and During
Implementation:
meaning they could support small
the review conference it was announced
increases in fishing harvests. This situa-
that an additional 14 nations will join the
N Implement the FAO International Plan
tion of fisheries decline is of particular
agreement. By the end of the review con-
of Action to Prevent, Deter and Eliminate
concern considering global population
ference, member states and non-parties
projections and the concomitant increase
agreed on several key issues including:
Illegal, Unreported, and Unregulated
in demand for protein to feed these pop-
improving cooperation between flag
Fishing (IUU) by 2004
ulations.
States and coastal States in regards to
N
high seas fisheries management meas-
Implement the FAO International Plan
Table 1. Status of Global Marine Fish
ures; committing to reduce capacity of
of Action for the Management of Fishing
Stocks: 2004
fishing fleets globally; and eliminating
Capacity by 2005
Overexploited*
16%
subsidies that contribute to IUU fishing,
N
Fully Exploited*
52%
overfishing and fishing overcapacity
Eliminate subsidies that contribute to
(IISD, 2006).
illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing
Depleted*
7%
Most fishing (up to 90%) occurs within
and to overcapacity
Recovering from Depletion*
1%
200-mile Exclusive Economic Zones
Moderately Exploited
21%
N Maintain or restore depleted fish stocks to
(EEZs) under national jurisdiction, so
Underexploited
3%
participation and action by coastal and
levels that can produce their maximum
island states is essential for meeting the
sustainable yield on an urgent basis and
* Stocks that cannot withstand further fishing pressure.
Source: FAO, 2004b
WSSD goals. Within EEZs it is the
where possible no later than 2015
Fisheries have been a prominent compo-
responsibility of national governments to
nent of international environmental
implement and assess these goals since
negotiations and many nations have
national governments are directly
About three quarters of the world's
made commitments to take action to
responsible for the management of their
marine fisheries cannot withstand
improve the sustainability of fisheries. As
own fish stocks both under national laws
increased pressure. There has been a
of May 2006, 149 nations had ratified
as well as under international agreements
steady increase in the proportion of
the Convention on the Law of the Sea
such as UNCLOS. Developing countries
marine fish stocks that are classified as
(UNCLOS) and 57 nations have ratified
and small island developing States, how-
overexploited or depleted, according to
the Agreement for the Implementation of
ever, are typically in need of internation-
the State of World Fisheries and Aquaculture:
the Provisions of the Convention
al support for developing management
2004 (FAO, 2004b) prepared by the Food
Relating to the Conservation and
regimes for their EEZs including enforce-
and Agriculture Organization of the
Management of Straddling Fish Stocks
ment capabilities to prevent and control
United Nations (FAO). As noted in Table
and Highly Migratory Fish Stocks (UN
IUU fishing.
1, sixteen percent of fish stocks are cur-
Fish Stocks Agreement). Eleven of the
rently overexploited, fifty-two percent of
Currently, the role of nations as flag
UNCLOS ratifications and 26 of the UN
stocks are fully exploited (indicating they
states is the main means of control of
Fish Stocks Agreement ratifications
are currently being fished at their
fishing vessels and fishing activities, but
occurred after the World Summit on
maximum biological productivity); seven
it should be noted that there is also an
Sustainable Development (United
percent are depleted; and one percent of
important role played by port states that
Nations, 2004a) indicating that the con-
stocks are recovering from depletion.
offload fisheries products and also mar-
ference may have served as a catalyst to
Only three percent of marine stocks are
ket states where these products are even-
increase participation in these agree-
tually sold. The issue of "flags of conven-
36
O
F
A
©
IUU fishing costs us $9 billion a year, with $1.25 billion on that on
the high seas. These are similar to the losses caused by illegal logging.
And like illegal logging they fall disproportionately on developing
countries. We reckon Sierra Leone, for example, is losing $110
million or more annually, with similarly large losses for
other sub-Saharan countries.
--Minister Ben Bradshaw, Minister for Local Environment, Marine, and Animal Welfare,
Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, United Kingdom
ience" is a significant problem in fisheries
concerns over management approaches
2004, FAO conducted a voluntary sur-
management as it allows fishing opera-
should be addressed immediately in
vey of member states to assess the
tions to circumvent international fish-
order to resolve concerns prior to possi-
actions underway. While only 64 mem-
eries agreements by registering (flagging)
ble further expansion of these fisheries.
ber states responded to the survey,
vessels in countries that either are not a
awareness of the IPOA on IUU fishing
International organizations, such as the
party to the agreements (and therefore
was generally high. Responding states
FAO, have a major role in raising aware-
not bound to follow conservation and
reported taking steps towards improving
ness and creating an enabling environ-
management regulations) or that turn a
monitoring, control and surveillance
ment for attaining the goals that have
blind eye to the activities of their vessels.
efforts in particular. Unfortunately, the
been laid out. International Plans of
A 2005 study found that despite signifi-
report notes weak exercise of flag State
Action (IPOAs) are tools to help organize
cant efforts to reduce IUU fishing, in
duties, particularly those related to high
governments around the issues and facil-
2005 there were still over 1000 large
seas fishing and coastal states that grant
itate implementation.
scale fishing vessels flying flags of con-
access to their EEZs to foreign fishing
venience. The study also found that by
Illegal, Unreported, and Unregulated
vessels. In addition, only about a quarter
the end of 2003, about 14% of large scale
Fishing
of the nations who responded to the
fishing vessels built between 2001 and
The label Illegal, Unreported, and
questionnaire had started to formulate a
2003 were flying flags of convenience
Unregulated Fishing (IUU) includes
national plan of action (FAO, 2004a).
(Gianni and Simpson, 2005).
three separate categories of fishing, ille-
Another example of actions underway to
It is clear that the problem of fisheries
gal fishing, unreported fishing, and
address IUU fishing is the Ministerially-
decline has not been adequately resolved
unregulated fishing. If a fishing activity is
led Task Force on Illegal, Unreported
through flag state control alone. It is
characterized as IUU, it does not neces-
and Unregulated Fishing on the High
essential that the different states along
sarily fall into all three categories (it
Seas (the High Seas Task Force). The
the fisheries product chain, including
could be just one or in some cases two).
Task Force was established in 2003 by
both fishing states and states that serve as
For example illegal fishing is not neces-
fisheries ministers (United Kingdom,
economic drivers for the industry, must
sarily unregulated, while in most cases it
Australia, Canada, Chile, Namibia, and
all play a part in addressing this issue.
does go unreported (High Seas Task
New Zealand) and international non-
Force 2004). In addition, while IUU fish-
governmental organizations (The Earth
Beyond EEZ limits, management of fish-
ing is sometimes thought of as only an
Institute, WWF International, and
eries occurs through the Regional
issue for the high seas, it can also occur
IUCN) working together to create an
Fisheries Management Organizations
within domestic fisheries.
action plan to combat IUU fishing on the
(RFMOs) and through other forms of
high seas (High Seas Task Force, 2005).
cooperation among national goverments.
With regard to the WSSD goal of elimi-
The Task Force released its final report,
Poor management of fisheries within
nating IUU fishing, five nations have
Closing the Net: Stopping Illegal Fishing on the
EEZs can add pressure to areas of the
submitted National Plans of Action
High Seas, in March 2006. The report pro-
high seas, so it is again essential that
(NPOAs) based on the FAO International
vided quantification of the extent of the
national fisheries are managed well.
Plan of Action (IPOA), and an additional
problem and also included nine propos-
Although high seas fisheries currently
12 plans have been developed.
als for immediate action. These propos-
only account for a comparatively small
Although comparatively few states have
als are intended to target the root causes
proportion of global fisheries landings,
submitted their IUU plans to the FAO
of IUU fishing with the goal that addi-
their potential role in meeting increased
(International Institutions and Liaison
tional national governments and interna-
demand for fisheries products cannot be
Service, 2006), there is much action
tional organizations will adopt these pro-
overlooked. It is essential therefore that
going on to build toward these national
posals and join the effort to halt IUU
these fisheries are well managed and that
plans which must also be recognized. In
fishing (High Seas Task Force, 2006).
37
Table 2. Status of National Plans of Action to Prevent, Deter, and Eliminate Illegal,
ment at the national level creates an
Unreported, and Unregulated Fishing (as of May 2006).
overdependence on the resources and
allows overcapacity to continue. To
National Plan of Action
Submitted to FAO
Plan Developed*
address the overcapacity issue it is essen-
National Plans of Action to Prevent, Deter,
Australia, Canada,
Federated States of Micronesia,
tial to consider the cost of transition
and Eliminate Illegal, Unreported, and
Chile, New Zealand,
The Gambia, Ghana, Mexico,
away from fishing for some people.
Unregulated Fishing
the United Statesx
Namibia, Tonga, Tuvalu,
There is a great need for industry buy-in
of America
Seychelles, Spain, Tanzania,
and participation which requires effec-
Lake Victoria Fisheries
tive participatory frameworks and con-
Organization, European Union
sideration of approaches such as co-
management.
*FAO notes that they are aware of the development of these plans, but they are not yet
available through FAO.
To date only one National Plan of Action
Each of the proposed measures is intend-
yield (MEY) (FAO, 1999). It is important
for the Management of Fishing Capacity
ed to expose and deter IUU activities and
to note that these estimates are for com-
is available through FAO (Development
to improve enforcement capabilities to
bined stocks and do not show the varia-
Planning Service, 2006). Although there
apprehend offenders. The Task Force
tion in capacity for individual fisheries.
are efforts at the national and interna-
notes that the intended effect of each of
tional level to facilitate capacity reduc-
Efforts to manage fishing capacity and
the proposals is to have one or both of
tion, this problem has not yet been fully
reduce overcapacity where possible are
the following effects:
addressed. The FAO has continued to
essential to the effective management of
facilitate national efforts to manage fish-
· Enhance enforcement, therefore
fisheries resources. The International
ing capacity through technical publica-
increasing the risk of exposures of
Plan of Action for the Management of
tions and assistance (United Nations
operations engaged in IUU fishing,
Fishing Capacity calls on states and
2006).
and/or
regional organizations to initially limit
capacity and eventually reduce fishing
Fishing Subsidies
· Make IUU fishing less profitable
capacity in cases where overcapacity is
through increased capital and operat-
The issue of overcapacity is intimately
impacting the ability to sustainably man-
ing costs and by reducing the revenue
related to the issue of subsidies by
age stocks (International Institutions and
flow (High Seas Task Force, 2006).
national governments to their fishing
Liaison Service, 2005).
industries. The thirty member nations
Management of Fishing Capacity
Although there are some examples of
of the Organization of Economic
Assessments of fishing overcapacity are
national efforts to improve fisheries man-
Cooperation and Development (OECD)
made by comparing existing fishing
agement and reduce overcapacity, there
provide over 6 billion dollars in support,
capacity with the optimal or desired level
continue to be nations with weak nation-
subsidies, and financial transfers each
for a particular fishery. Some effort has
al management. Weak fisheries manage-
year to the fisheries within their coun-
been made to assess over capacity in
individual fisheries, but these estimates Table 3. Status of National Plans of Action to Prevent, Deter, and Eliminate Illegal,
become less precise when aggregated to Unreported, and Unregulated Fishing (as of May 2006).
the global level. Estimates of global fish-
National Plan of Action
Submitted to FAO
Plan Developed*
ing overcapacity range from 30% when
considering overcapacity in relation to
National Plans of Action for the
United States of America*
None reported by FAO
maximum sustainable yield (MSY) to
Management of Fishing Capacity
25%-53% when considering overcapaci-
* The US has also developed an Implementation Plan for the FAO Code of Conduct for Responsible Fisheries (NOAA, 1997).
ty in relation to maximum economic
38
tries. The main types of support provid-
Furthermore, increased effort and catch-
dependent on meeting other WSSD goals
ed by governments to fisheries are for:
es also lead to increased bycatch (OECD
particularly those related to ecosystem-
research and management and enforce-
2005).
based management and integrated
ment of regulations; fisheries infrastruc-
management, as well as those related to
The impacts of subsidies on IUU fishing
ture; direct payments; vessel decommis-
biodiversity and protected areas. FAO and
and overcapacity are now being
sioning; vessel construction and mod-
other organizations are working to define
addressed not only in the context of
ernization; income support; and cost
what constitutes ecosystem approaches to
ecosystem and environmental issues, but
subsidies. It is noted, however, that the
fisheries as well as to provide assistance
also in the context of the World Trade
nature of fisheries subsidies involves
with implementation of the concept. FAO
Organization (WTO), where in recent
increasing emphasis on "environmental-
notes that the main purpose of the ecosys-
negotiations it was agreed that they
ly-friendly" support, including new less
tem approach to fisheries is "to plan,
would continue to examine the impact of
damaging gear technologies, as well as
develop and manage fisheries in a manner
fisheries subsidies. The negotiations in
efforts to reduce fishing capacity, closing
that addresses the multiple needs and
the WTO aimed to clarify disciplines on
areas, and retraining displaced fisher-
desires of societies, without jeopardizing
fisheries subsidies which was considered
men. OECD notes that among OECD
the options for future generations to bene-
an important step forward for the nation-
countries, about two-thirds of the finan-
fit from the full range of goods and servic-
al and international fisheries agenda.
cial transfers are devoted to research,
es provided by marine ecosystems" (FAO
However, each nation should evaluate its
management and enforcement expendi-
2005). Considering the interaction of fish-
own fisheries support program and
tures and payments for fisheries infra-
eries with the surrounding ecosystem is
assess whether transfers have achieved
structure (OECD 2005).
important in the effort to maintain and
the desired result. Policy makers need to
restore stocks. Commercially important fish
The issues of fisheries subsidies are very
ensure that the full range of economic,
stocks cannot be restored in the absence of
difficult to address because of their com-
environmental and social effects of subsi-
a healthy, functioning ecosystem.
plex nature. Government financial trans-
dies are taken into consideration during
fers are basically an economic policy
the design, evaluation, and reformula-
It has been noted that the related
instrument designed to reduce costs or
tion of fisheries support programs, par-
concept of Ecosystem-Based Fisheries
raise the income of fishers by providing
ticularly since subsidies pose long-term
Management (EBFM) should "(i) avoid
financial support for increased fishing
impacts on the fishery resource. Some
degradation of ecosystems, as measured by
effort. The overall impact of such trans-
countries have already shifted or are
indicators of environmental quality and
fers depends on the type of fisheries
shifting away from funding the construc-
system status; (ii) minimize the risk of irre-
management system in place and how
tion of fishing vessels in recognition that
versible change to natural assemblages of
they are enforced, as well as whether the
overcapacity in fishing fleets is partly
species and ecosystem processes; (iii)
stocks are overfished or underfished.
attributable to earlier financial support to
obtain and maintain long-term socioeco-
Since the enforcement of fishing regula-
build and modernize fishing vessels.
nomic benefits without compromising the
tions is a ubiquitous problem, and with
However, the intention is not to reduce
ecosystem; and (iv) generate knowledge of
most of the fish stocks overfished, the
subsidies but to rechannel more subsi-
ecosystem processes sufficient to under-
eventual effects of subsidies will be
dies to environmental-friendly support
stand the likely consequences of human
reduced fish stocks, lower catches with
in order to carry out an effective fisheries
actions" (Pikitch et al, 2004).
higher costs and lower revenue for fish-
management regime (OECD 2005).
Fulfillment of the 2015 goal will also be
ers. The problem becomes more complex
Maintain or Restore Stocks by 2015
heavily dependent on how other major
when dealing with multi-species fisheries
fisheries issues are addressed, e.g.:
since management approaches are more
Meeting the goal of maintaining or
difficult to formulate and deploy.
restoring fish stocks by 2015 is heavily
39
the debate on the appropriate mecha-
With regards to IUU fishing, about 10%
nisms continues.
of nations have prepared or are prepar-
ing national action plans to address IUU
Limitations in capacity not only
Improving the capacity of developing nations to
fishing. Also, there is renewed enthusi-
manage their fisheries, and enhancing the terms
hinder countries from benefiting
asm and impetus for addressing the IUU
of foreign fishing access agreements in the
problem on the part of specific nations,
from oceans and seas and their
Exclusive Economic Zones of developing coun-
international agencies, and ministerial
tries, to enhance environmental sustain-
resources under the 1982
efforts such as the High Seas Task Force.
ability, local benefits, and transparency.
The High Seas Task Force has put for-
While foreign fishing access agreements
Convention and Agenda 21;
ward very specific suggestions which
typically pay access fees to national gov-
could make a substantial difference if
such limitations may also create
ernments, these are seldom accompanied
they are picked up by nations and
with the development of national fishery
opportunities for others to divert
accepted by industry.
management regimes, benefits to local
the benefits to themselves.
populations, especially artisanal fisher-
As the High Seas Task Force notes, it will
men, or the development of long-term
be difficult to meet the WSSD goals while
national capacity for sustainable devel-
it is still profitable for individuals and
--Mrs. Annick de Marffy
Former Director, UN Division of
opment of fisheries.
organizations to engage in these practices.
Ocean Affairs and Law of the Sea
The continuation of these activities is
Bottom Line and
fuelled by the increasing demand for fish
Outstanding Issues
products, fishing overcapacity, and weak
national governance, and remains unre-
Destructive fishing practices
It is clear that fisheries around the world
solved in part because of the lack of polit-
Addressing the impacts of destructive
are in trouble. With only 24% of marine
ical will to address the root causes (High
fishing practices on vulnerable ecosys-
fish stocks either moderately exploited
Seas Task Force, 2006). Once these activi-
tems, particularly those in the high seas,
or underexploited, there is little room to
ties are made unprofitable or too financial-
continues to be an active debate. While
expand current fishing efforts without
ly risky to undertake, it will be far easier to
there is general agreement that protec-
drastic consequences. The fisheries tar-
reach the goals.
tion of vulnerable areas is important, the
gets set during the World Summit on
There has also been some progress in
mechanisms to do this remain unre-
Sustainable Development represented a
national reform of fisheries management,
solved.
mix of very specific goals perhaps carry-
especially with new market measures,
Reform of Regional Fishery Management
ing unrealistically early deadlines (2004
such as ecolabelling, that are being
Organizations (RFMOs)
and 2005) and the very complex and dif-
adopted both in developed and develop-
ficult to achieve long-term goal of main-
ing countries. Participation from the fish-
There is extensive discussion on how to
taining or restoring depleted fish stocks
ing industry as well as the fish processing
approach improving fisheries manage-
by 2015.
and distribution sectors is essential in
ment through RFMOs. While many feel
With regard to the short-term goals of
order to achieve the WSSD goals. There
that some form of RFMO reform is nec-
controlling IUU fishing, controlling over-
are promising examples of companies
essary, there is not agreement over the
capacity and eliminating subsidies that
taking action. For example, UNILEVER
role that they should play in broader
contribute to IUU fishing and to overca-
has pledged to only purchase fish prod-
ocean management efforts. There is gen-
pacity, only very modest tangible
ucts from sustainable sources and Wal-
eral consensus that there is a need for
progress appears to have been made on
Mart has announced they will only sell
greater oversight and accountability, but
the ground.
sustainably harvested fish products.
40
With regard to controlling overcapacity
and eliminating harmful subsidies, there is
little tangible information on progress on
these issues, but it would appear that there
Many of the African countries are engaged in discussions
is movement among some countries in
with the European Union on fisheries access agreements.
shifting away from funding the construc-
tion of fishing vessels that contribute to
The negotiations are not easy especially given the lack of
overcapacity in fishing fleets. However,
capacity in our countries to understand available stocks
since the issue of subsidies has economic,
environmental and social ramifications,
and ability to monitor catches. Our region urgently needs
governments and international bodies
need to carefully study transfer policies in
capacity development in monitoring, surveillance, and
order to come up with viable approaches
control in order to get the best from the new trade
that can further shift subsidies away from
increasing fishing capacity and effort, and
negotiations with the European Union and with
instead mobilize support towards the
effective implementation of fisheries man-
other fishing nations.
agement regimes.
--Honorable Joseph Konzolo Munyao
Regarding the long-term goal of main-
EGH, MP, Minister for Fisheries and Livestock Development, Kenya
taining or restoring depleted fish stocks
and the broad goal of achieving ecosys-
tem management of fisheries, a growing
acceptance of the ecosystem approach to
In the long-run, too, in assessing pro-
fisheries appears to be indeed taking
gress toward sustainable development of
place among national governments and
fisheries, one of the basic pillars of sus-
international organizations. Indeed, a
tainable development--equitable distri-
paradigm shift may be taking place--
bution of benefits--should be recalled
fisheries matters have traditionally been
and applied to gauge the effectiveness of
considered in a highly sectoral and sepa-
measures taken to achieve the WSSD tar-
rate manner, but now key fishery practi-
gets. Will the measures, in due course,
tioners are moving toward a broader
help to alleviate poverty and malnutri-
ecosystem concept which also takes into
tion of people who own the fishing
account other uses and resources of
grounds?
ocean and coastal areas. There are
encouraging signs that the groundwork
is being laid for attaining the enabling
conditions which will lead to sustainable
fisheries development in 2015.
41
l
i
v
e
r
O
J
.
©
Integrated Water
Resource Management
Johannesburg Plan of
Discussion
and vulnerability to hurricanes and
floods (Global Water Partnership, 2005).
Implementation:
Many developing nations face signifi-
cant hurdles in the effective Surveys by the Global Water
N Development of integrated water resource
management of freshwater resources.
Partnership
Recognizing that water is essential for
management (IWRM) plans by 2005
At the end of 2003, the Global Water
human survival and that improved Partnership (GWP) conducted an infor-
freshwater management is a key factor in
mal stakeholder baseline survey on the
the achievement of poverty reduction,
status of water sector reform processes
"Integrated Water Resource
the World Summit on Sustainable
around the world. The survey showed
Management (IWRM) is an
Development in 2002 called for all coun-
the status of the efforts of various coun-
tries to develop Integrated Water
tries to implement more sustainable
approach to land and water man-
Resource Management (IWRM) strate-
water management practices. The results
agement that seeks to balance
gies by the end of 2005. These strategies
showed that of the 108 countries sur-
are intended to tackle specific water
veyed in 2003, 13% had made good
human, industrial, agricultural and
challenges, such as pollution prevention,
progress towards more integrated
environmental needs. IWRM is
controlling flooding, mitigating the
approaches, 47% have taken some steps
effects of drought, expanding access to
in this direction but need to increase
therefore a systematic process for
water and sanitation, and addressing
efforts, while the remaining 40% were
the sustainable development,
increasing competition for water and
only at the initial stages of the process
water scarcity. The IWRM target address-
(Global Water Partnership, 2004).
allocation and monitoring of water
es the urgent situation through the devel-
Figure 1: Results of the 2003 IWRM Survey
opment of plans and strategies for the
resource use in the context of social,
(Global Water Partnership 2004).
adoption and implementation of sustain-
economic and environmental
able water resources development and
management. IWRM relates to economic
objectives. To do this successfully,
development, social equity and environ-
all users of water -- government
mental sustainability. One of the key
concepts embodied in IWRM is cross-
departments, academics, community
sectoral integration of different water
groups, NGOs, the private sector
uses, i.e.,: "Water for people," "Water for
food," "Water for nature," as well as
and other interest groups -- need
Key: White: countries having made good progress
water for other uses such as flood-risk
Light blue: countries having carried out some steps
to get together to share information,
management, industry, hydropower,
Dark blue: countries remaining at the initial stages
navigation, and others (UCC-Water,
Striped: countries not included in survey
understand data and work together
2006a).
The GWP conducted a second informal
to solve their problems."
Some of the challenges that have been
survey in November and December of
identified in the implementation of
2005 in order to assess additional
- Emilio Gabrielli, Executive Secretary
IWRM: include lack of national water
progress towards meeting the 2005 goal.
of the Global Water Partnership,
policies and institutions; lack of sanita-
This survey found that of the 95 surveyed
November 2003, Second Global
tion services, problems with scaling of
Conference on Oceans, Coasts,
countries, 21% have now made good
and Islands, Paris
pilot projects to the national level,
progress, 53% are in the process of
coastal run off and saltwater intrusion,
preparing national strategies or plans
42
Table 1. Status of development of IWRM plans as reported by the
World Water Forum in March 2006 by
Dr. Neils H. Ipsen, director of the UNEP
Global Water Partnership.
Collaborating Centre on Water and
Status*
2003 Survey
2005 Survey
Environment (UCC-Water) in Horsholm,
Plans/strategies in place, or process
13% (14 countries)
21% (20 countries)
Denmark (see Table 2).
well underway
In the process of preparing national
47% (51 countries)
53% (50 countries)
The Bottom Line and
strategies/plans
Outstanding Issues
Initial steps towards preparing national
40% (43 countries)
26% (25 countries)
strategies/plans
The bottom line is that progress is being
made on this key goal of securing water
*Note: The 2003 and 2005 surveys are not directly comparable as different countries provided data and a
different questionnaire was used.
for all, while being responsive to envi-
ronmental and societal considerations.
although additional work is needed, and
Other surveys on IWRM progress
The good news too is that there is
the remaining 26% have only taken initial
There have also been several other sur-
significant engagement by global, region-
steps towards national plans. Although
veys assessing progress on IWRM,
al, and national institutions to achieve
different countries responded to the 2003
including surveys carried out by the
this essential goal. There are also data
and 2005 surveys, the responses do indi-
Japan Water Forum, UNEP in coopera-
available on this goal, not only from
cate an increase in the countries that have
tion with regional institutions, the Arab
the global institutions (Global Water
taken steps towards IWRM plans from
Water Council with partners, the
Partnership), but also from regional and
60% in 2003 to 74% in 2005 (Global
Economic Community of West African
national institutions as well. Just taking
Water Partnership, 2006). These changes
States (ECOWAS), and the UN
the results from the 2005 Global Water
represent some good progress since the
Economic and Social Commission for
Partnership survey, the results are
2003 survey, but show that there is still
Western Asia (ESCWA). These surveys
encouraging: 21% of countries have
work to be done before many countries
were summarized prior to the Fourth
strategies in place, 53% are in the
are able to meet the target.
Table 2. Summary of IWRM Surveys carried out in 2005 (UCC-Water, 2006)
Geographic
Global
Global
Five Sub-regions
Arab region
West Africa
Western Asia
coverage
Institution
Global Water
Japan Water
UNEP in cooperation
Arab Water
ECOWAS
ESCWA
responsible
Partnership
Forum
with regional institutions Council, UNDP
Water Resources
and CEDARE
Coordination Unit
Target of
Monitor progress Contribute to
Surveys are part of the
Assessment of status
Assessment of the
Identify status
survey
towards IWRM
enactment of
development of
of developing IWRM
progress towards
and progress
plans
IWRM Plans and
subregional networks,
plans as a first step
the IWRM 2005
of IWRM
and promotion of
national networks,
in developing a
target
planning
implementation
national roadmaps
regional support
of IWRM
and building capacity
programme
to implement IWRM
Scope of
Policies, laws,
Organization, laws,
Policies, legislative
Policies, strategies,
Policies, legislation,
Policies, legislation,
survey
plans/strategies,
government spending,
framework, institutional
master plans leading
IWRM principles in
strategies and plans
progress of
management,
capacity and constraints,
towards IWRM
legislation, institutional institutional
implementation,
stakeholder participation, environmental aspects,
capacities, IWRM
structures and
stakeholder
education and training,
human resources,
process, constraints
management tools
participation
availability of basic data,
awareness, milestones
to institutional
MDG indicator score
and progress towards
performance
IWRM
Monitoring
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
of progress
towards IWRM
2005 target?
Monitoring
Yes
Yes
Yes
No
No
Yes
of progress
towards IWRM
framework?
43
Table 2. Continued
Geographic
Global
Global
Five Sub-regions
Arab region
West Africa
Western Asia
coverage
Monitoring
No
Partly
Yes
No
Partly
No
of progress
towards imple-
mentation of
institutional
reform?
Prime survey
GWP network
Government officials
Government Officials
Desk study of
Government
Government
data provided
of stakeholders
through an update of
existing documents
officials
officials
by?
Portfolio of Water
Actions
Previous
Survey from
No
No
No
Survey from
Survey from
surveys
2003
2003
2001
Number of
95
73
37
22
16
13
countries
covered by
survey
Regional and
38 in Africa,
19 in CEE/CIS,
9 in Southern Africa,
22 in the Arab Region
16 in West Africa
13 in Western
sub-regional
23 in Asia and
18 in East Asia and
16 in Western Africa,
Asian Region
distribution
Oceania, 10 in
Pacific, 4 in East and
3 in North Africa,
of countries
Europe, 16 in
Southern Africa,
6 in South East Asia,
covered by
Latin America,
19 industrialized
3 in Central Asia
surveys
8 Small Island
countries, 7 in Middle
States
East and North Africa,
2 in South Asia, 4 in
West and Central Africa
Methodology
Countries
Allocation of scores
Countries clustered
Countries clustered
Countries clustered
Countries clustered
used for
clustered into
for MDG Indicator
into three groups for
into three groups
into three groups
into three groups
assessment of
three groups
Evaluation and State
enabling environment,
according to progress
according to progress
according to
survey results
according to
of Water Resources
institutional reform
within IWRM planning
within IWRM planning
progress within
degree of
Management
process and IWRM
IWRM plans/
progress within
maximum 200 points
plan progress
strategies and
IWRM plans/
in total)
programmes
strategies
Summary
IWRM plans are
0 countries received
Enabling Environment:
5 countries are in
IWRM plans are
4 countries have
result of
in place in 20
less than 60 points-
5 in good/very good
advanced stage, 11
adopted and being
IWRM strategies
surveys
countries, good
4 between 60 and 80,
progress 24 some
in progress towards
implemented in 2
and investment
progress but more 7 between 80 and 100,
progress, 8 limited
IWRM plans, the
countries, the process plans, 5 are at an
to do in 50 coun-
17 between 100 and 120,
Institutional reform
progress of 6 coun-
has started in 6 and
advanced stage of
tries and 25 coun- 22 between 120 and 140
process: 2 in good/
tries is unknown,
8 countries have not
formulating strate-
tries have only
13 between 140 and 160, very good progress 19
however 3 are
yet started (2 out of
gies, 4 have applied
taken initial
10 between 160 and 180 some progress, 16 limited assessed to have
these 8 have taken
IWRM programmes
steps
and no country received progress.
taken some initial
some initial steps)
at local level and
more than 180 points
IWRM Roadmap/plan:
steps and 3 not
at basin level.
5 good/very good
progress, 19 some
limited progress
Survey
GWP "Setting the Japan Water Forum
The results are available
UNDP, AWC and
Results are
Results presented
Stage for Change," "Report on the Survey
in regional progress
CEDARE, "Status
summarized
at the Regional
Feb. 2006 http://
of Progress towards
reports on the
of Integrated Water
in a Brochure from
Seminar on the
gwpforum.org
IWRM," Jan 2006.
programme "UNEP
Management Plans
ECOWAS to be
Status of National
www.pwaweb.org
Support for Achieving
in the Arab Region."
distributed at WWF4
IWRM Planning in
the 2005 Target."
Results are
in Mexico.
North Africa
www.UCC-Water.org
Countries, Rabat.
Source: (UCC-Water, 2006b)
Morocco, Jan. 2006
44
process of creating national strategies/
6. Encourage some institutional develop
oceans communities should create
plans, and 26% are taking initial steps.
ment, including financial resources
stronger partnerships at both global and
(Catley-Carlson, 2006).
regional levels to address achieving the
Toward Closer Alignment Between
IWRM goal as well as the related WSSD
Freshwater and Ocean and Coastal
No one agency, by itself, can implement
on oceans and coasts. There is a need to
Institutions
the strategies of integrated management.
work across and among freshwater, coastal,
Synergy is needed across and between
It has been noted that an effective IWRM
and oceans organizations, at the national
existing structures. For example, the
strategy will include the following prin-
and international levels. Among these
ecosystem approach of the Convention
ciples in scientific and political analysis:
opportunities are possible collaboration
on Biological Diversity is a framework for
1. Involve all relevant stakeholders;
among the Global Water Partnership, the
integrated management of land, water
Global Forum on Oceans, Coasts, and
2. Identify the most urgent issues (and
and biological resources. Integrated
Islands, and other partners.
their costs), and prioritize those issues;
management of water resources cannot
occur without addressing the natural
Although progress has been made over
3. Secure political commitment;
linkages among freshwater, coasts, and
the past several years, there is still con-
4. Establish a common knowledge/
oceans. An effective management scheme
siderable work that needs to be done
information platform for all stake
must take these linkages into considera-
both to facilitate IWRM and to better
holders;
tion, and secure political and societal
connect IWRM efforts with other fresh-
commitment among stakeholders.
water and coastal management efforts,
5. Facilitate knowledge/awareness
especially integrated ocean and coastal
raising to build support;
Participants at the global conference rec-
management.
ommended that the freshwater and
Continental waters stored in surface waters (rivers, lakes, wetlands), represent less than one
percent of the Earth's water resources. Ninety-seven percent is stored in the oceans and the remaining
2% is sea ice, snow, glaciers, and permafrost. However, this small percentage of the Earth's total
water resources that is freshwater is disproportionately important to people. The watersheds that
integrate the surface water run-off of entire drainage basins play a critical role as sources of water,
food, energy, recreation, and transportation. Watersheds provide habitat and a host of other ecological
services from water purification to flood control and nutrient recycling--all important to people.
Watersheds also provide a critical link between the land and the sea...
While institutional arrangements have been designed and implemented to address either freshwater
or saltwater issues, rarely have institutions worked on the linkages between fresh and saltwater...
Today, it is essential to link freshwater to coasts and oceans with a new collaborative
perspective that provides incentives for linking decisionmaking and institutional
arrangements between "upstream" and "downstream" stakeholders...
--Dr. Antonio Díaz de León Corral, Director General for Environmental Policy Regional and Sectoral Integration,
Ministry of Environment and Natural Resources (SEMARNAT),
International Workshop on Freshwater, Coastal, and Marine Management Interlinkages,
January 10-11, 2006, Mexico City (preparatory meeting to global oceans conference)
45
Global Marine Assessment
(paragraphs 64-65) (A/AC. 271/WP. 1, p. 1)
framework and outline of the regular
Johannesburg Plan of
(United Nations 2003).
process, peer review, secretariat, capacity
Implementation:
building and funding (A/AC. 271/WP. 1).
In a nutshell, after a promising start in 2003
The Group of Experts, including represen-
and 2004, implementation of this WSSD
N Establish a regular process under the
tatives of States, intergovernmental organi-
commitment was significantly delayed due to
United Nations for global reporting and
zations and non-governmental organiza-
political differences among nations, especial-
assessment of the state of the marine
tions, and including both scientists and
ly on the question of whether the assessment
policy makers, developed a draft document
environment, including socioeconomic
should include living resources, with a dis-
on the GMA in New York, from 23 to 26
aspects, by 2004.
tinct minority of nations favoring focusing
March 2004, titled "A regular process for
only on pollution and physical degradation.
the global reporting and assessment of the
In December 2005, however, the process has
Discussion
state of the marine environment, including
received new direction and impetus, and it is
socio-economic aspects" (UN DOALOS
Over the years, the international ocean policy
expected that the first tangible steps in the
2004).
community has emphasized the need to
establishment of the global marine assess-
understand, and ultimately manage, major
ment will be taken at a meeting to be held
· The first GMA International Workshop,
drivers of environmental change in the
just before the June 12-16, 2006 United
held during ICP-5 on June 8-11, 2004,
oceans, to monitor the health of ocean
Nations Open-ended Informal Consultative
considered the Group of Experts report
ecosystems and the quality of life of coastal
Process on Oceans and the Law of the Sea in
and other issues. According to coverage by
communities, and to better understand the
New York.
the Earth Negotiations Bulletin (ENB), the
socio-economic contributions and environ-
majority of delegates supported the goal of
Major developments in the implementa-
mental impacts of ocean industries. In 2002,
the GMA, but noted that more work and
tion of this WSSD goal have been as fol-
the World Summit on Sustainable
agreement were needed on specific aspects,
lows:
Development agreed too "establish by 2004 a
especially on issues related to: the mandate,
· UN General Assembly Resolution 58/240
regular process under the United Nations for
scope, start-up phase, frequency, organiza-
(2003) called for a group of experts to be
global reporting and assessment of the state
tional approach, and funding of the GMA.
convened to produce a draft document on
of the marine environment, including socio-
Delegates differed on the scope of the
the GMA detailing the scope, general
economic aspects, both current and foresee-
GMA, especially on whether the GMA
able, building on existing regional assess-
ments" (Global Marine Assessment (GMA)).
NGOs and other stakeholders have empha-
sized the potential of the GMA as a periodic
report card on the state of the oceans and of
coastal communities which could be used to
both assess the effectiveness of international
and national efforts in ocean and coastal man-
agement (are conditions better or worse?) and
also to communicate with and involve the
public in important ocean issues. The WSSD
decision to establish the GMA process was
subsequently endorsed by the UN General
Assembly in resolutions 57/141 (paragraph
45) (United Nations 2002) and 58/240
Fig. 1. UNEP Regional Seas
Source: UNEP 2003
46
should include living resources. Agreement
aspects, and decided to launch the start-up
UNGA Resolution A/60/L. 22 also noted
could not be reached (ENB 2004).
phase, the "Assessment of Assessments," to
that the execution of the "Assessment of
be completed within two years, as a
Assessments," including the activities of the
· The Second International GMA Workshop
preparatory phase towards the effective
ad hoc steering group and the group of
was held on June 13-15, 2005, after ICP-6.
establishment of the regular process. This
experts be financed through voluntary con-
During the Second Workshop it was envis-
resolution states that, under the guidance
tributions and other resources available to
aged that the GMA process would be start-
of an ad hoc steering group, UNEP and
participating organizations and bodies and
ed with an "Assessment of Assessments"
IOC-UNESCO should take the lead in the
invited Member States in a position to do
which might take about two years. The
production of the "Assessment of
so to make contributions.
Workshop recommended that: a) An ad
Assessments," to be undertaken by a group
hoc steering group be established; b) one
· At the Third UN-Oceans meeting held in
of experts.
or more UN agencies take a lead role; c) a
Paris on 23 January 2006, UNEP and
group of experts be established. The sec-
The "assessment of assessments" is
UNESCO/IOC proposed an implementa-
ond International Workshop noted that
expected to:
tion plan for the "Assessment of
many organizations and UN bodies were
· Assemble information about past or ongo-
Assessments," detailing a timeline and
already engaged in marine monitoring and
ing assessments relevant to the GMA;
activities. UNEP and IOC-UNESCO are
assessment work and that they would
also working in cooperation with other UN
· Carry out a constructive appraisal of exist-
therefore be able to contribute their experi-
agencies, donors, partners and member
ing marine and coastal assessments;
ence and results to the "Assessment of
states, in order to mobilize the necessary
Assessments" process (UN DOALOS
· Identify gaps and uncertainties in scientific
resources essential to implement the
2005).
knowledge and current assessment prac-
"Assessment of Assessments" as adopted by
tices;
the 60th UNGA.
· UNGA Resolution A/60/L. 22 of December
2005 endorsed the conclusions of the
· Assess how these assessments have been
· The process for the establishment of the
Second International GMA Workshop on
communicated to policy makers at the
steering group has been initiated by UNEP
the regular process for global reporting and
national, regional and global levels;
and IOC-UNESCO following a letter to the
assessment of the state of the marine envi-
· Produce a framework and options for the
UNGA president requesting nominations
ronment, including socio-economic
regular GMA process.
from member states to designate experts
from member states from the various
regional groupings.
A request has been made to the collaborat-
ing agencies: the Food and Agriculture
Organization of the United Nations, the
World Meteorological Organization, the
International Maritime Organization, the
Intergovernmental Oceanographic
Commission of UNESCO and the United
Nations Environment Programme, as well
as the International Seabed Authority to
provide experts to be members of the Ad
Hoc Steering Group.
· The first Ad Hoc Steering Group meeting
will be held immediately before the
Fig. 2. FAO and non-FAO fisheries regions
Source: UNEP 2003
47
Seventh Meeting of the United Nations
Bottom-Line and
to gauge progress on other WSSD goals, such
Open-ended Informal Consultative Process
as halting biodiversity loss by 2010, and MDG
on Oceans and the Law of the Sea (ICP),
Outstanding Issues
goals such as reducing by half the
from June 7 to 9, 2006 in New York.
While it is heartening to see that the process
proportion of people living on less than a dol-
lar a day by 2015. These data needs have to
· The group of experts to be established by
of establishing a Global Marine Assessment is
be met through other means than the GMA.
the lead agencies will undertake the actual
moving again, after being stalled politically,
work of comparing the various assessments
some outstanding issues/questions should be
2. Relation to other assessment efforts. There
following a common methodology to iden-
noted:
are many ongoing efforts--both formal and
tify a baseline across regions, as well as
1. Timing of a global marine assessment.
informa - to assess the status of marine
gaps in scope. The composition of the
Given that the Assessment of Assessments is
resources, some on a global basis, others on a
group should be approved by the ad hoc
slated to take two years, and a first global
regional basis. Some examples include:
steering group, and will be part of the agen-
marine assessment at least four years, it is
regionally-based efforts by the Regional Seas
da for discussion during the first Ad Hoc
expected that the first GMA would not be
Programme (see Figure 3), other regional
Steering Group meeting in June 2006.
available until 2012 or later. In this interim
conventions and agreements, and by the
period, one can expect growing demand for
GEF-funded Large Marine Ecosystems pro-
global data on the status of ocean resources, of
grams (see Figure 3); sectorally-based assess-
marine biodiversity, and of coastal communi-
ments by UN agencies such as fisheries
ties, especially in view of resource declines and
assessments by FAO (see Figure 2),; and
"A major problem in the poorest countries is the lack of mobilization of the best science to even understand
the ecosystem dynamics. Most of these countries are presently overwhelmed with the daily tasks of governance,
much less the tasks of achieving basic economic development goals, much less the task of understanding complex
interactions of climate change, environmental pollution, economic drivers, changing nutrient load cycles,
demographic dynamics, exotic species introduction, pathogens, and the whole host of interconnected
ecological phenomena that are impinging on these countries...
We need a regular cycle of global scale ecosystem assessments, but ones that scale down to national level quite
systematically (right down to the conditions in coastal Senegal or coastal Ghana). It is an expensive proposition,
but I can't think of a better investment in applied science than this one, and, as far as I can see it,
also is not presently applied."
Prof. Jeffrey D. Sachs,
Director, Earth Institute at Columbia University,
and Special Advisor to the UN Secretary-General on the
Millennium Development Goals
48
other scientific global assessments such as
those of the Census of Marine Life. The diver-
sity of efforts underway is an important
rationale for first conducting an "Assessment
of Assessments." It is also important to note
that there are significant information sources,
best practices, and experiences at the nation-
al and sub-national level that might not be
considered under the Assessment of
Assessments that should to be taken into
consideration in the development and imple-
mentation of the regular GMA process.
3. Funding. It is clear that a regular process of
global marine assessment will be costly (for
example, the March 2004 report of the Group
Fig. 3. Large Marine Ecosystems
Source: UNEP 2003
of Experts estimated that for the 5-year cycle,
the total cost is US$ 20,405,000 not includ-
prioritized in the GMA. Capacity to under-
ing capacity building and stakeholder consul-
take these assessments should be developed
tations). It is essential that additional funding
or existing capacity enhanced.
resources be found to support the carrying
6. Capacity building. In recognition of
out of the GMA.
the differences in capacities and
4. Openness and transparency. It is impor-
resources among regions and nations,
tant that the process of preparing for and car-
the GMA needs to deploy an implemen-
rying out the global marine assessment take
tation scheme that fully utilizes existing
place involving all relevant stakeholders--
regional and national capacities, and to
governments, international agencies, NGOs,
augment existing capacity by transfer of
industry, scientists, and also the public, and
information, skills, best practices and
that regularized means of obtaining the input
technology, implementation of human
of all stakeholders be put in place. The ulti-
resources development program, and
mate goal of the GMA, after all, is to learn
development of standardized data collec-
how well ocean resources, biodiversity, and
tion techniques, as needed.
peoples dependent on or living near oceans
are faring--are these better or worse? And
what are the factors adversely affecting them?
Such questions are the concern of us all.
5. Areas sparsely or not covered by current
assessments. The assessment of high seas and
deep waters, the marine environments of
developing nations including SIDS, and the
interactions between freshwater and marine
ecosystems which are not well covered under
existing assessments (UNEP 2003) should be
49
Coordination of
UN Activities on Oceans
the Sub-committee on Oceans and
endeavour to its High Level Committee
Johannesburg Plan of
Coastal Areas of the Administrative
on Programmes (HLCP).
Implementation:
Committee on Coordination (ACC
In September 2003, the CEB's High-
SOCA). ACC SOCA was created in order
Level Committee on Programmes
N Establish an effective, transparent and
to present a coordinated and compre-
approved the creation of an Oceans and
regular inter-agency coordination
hensive view of UN agency activities in
Coastal Areas Network (subsequently
mechanism on ocean and coastal issues
support of Chapter 17 of Agenda 21,
renamed "UN-OCEANS") and at its 57th
which specifically deals with the protec-
within the United Nations system.
Session, the General Assembly called for
tion of the oceans and the protection and
the establishment of an effective, trans-
rational use and development of their
parent and regular inter-agency coordi-
living resources.
The need for international coordination
nation mechanism on oceans and coastal
and cooperation on oceans and coasts
In 1999-2000, as part of the reform
issues within the United Nations system
has been frequently raised in various
process, the ACC and its subcommittees
in its resolution 57/141 of 12 December
intergovernmental meetings and confer-
were reorganized resulting in the abol-
2002 (UN DOALOS 2002). The objec-
ences. It is widely recognized that there is
ishment of the ACC and the creation of
tive of UN-OCEANS is to enhance coop-
a need for addressing oceans and coasts in
the Chief Executive Board (CEB), the
eration and coordination among
a cross-sectoral and comprehensive man-
system-wide body presided over by the
Secretariats of the International
ner, examining the interrelationships
UN Secretary General. The CEB delegat-
Organizations and Bodies concerned
among issues and setting forth integrated
ed coordination to two high-level com-
with ocean related activities.
and coordinated solutions to interrelated
mittees, one on programmes and one on
UN-OCEANS held its first interagency
problems. Existing UN agencies related to
management. The CEB decided that
meeting in January 2005 where a
oceans have largely sectoral mandates,
future inter-agency support require-
Coordinator (UNESCO-IOC) and
addressing different aspects of sustainable
ments should be more responsive to a
Deputy Coordinator (UN-DESA) were
development of the oceans, such as fish-
rapidly changing agenda and would best
elected to serve for a two-year term.
eries and aquaculture, marine science,
be handled through ad hoc, time-bound,
During the first meeting, UN-OCEANS
marine navigation and safety, marine pol-
task-oriented arrangements using a lead
agreed to "operate as a flexible mecha-
lution control, marine environmental pro-
agency or function-based approach. UN
nism to review joint and overlapping
tection and conservation, ecosystem
Programs and Agencies participating in
ongoing activities and to support related
dynamics, meteorology and climate
the coordination of oceans and coasts
deliberations of the ICP (UN Open-
change, global observing systems, data
indicated strong interest in developing a
ended Informal Consultative Process on
and information management, coastal
new inter-agency coordinating mecha-
Ocean Affairs and the Law of the Sea),
area management, disaster management,
nism consistent with the new arrange-
coordinating as far as possible its meet-
marine radioactivity, seabed, ocean floor
ments being developed in the United
ings with ICP sessions." To decrease the
and subsoil, and marine and coastal bio-
Nations system (UN-OCEANS 2005a).
financial and human resource require-
diversity (see Box 1).
The 2002 Johannesburg Plan of
ments for providing secretariat support,
In 1992, the UN Conference on
Implementation called for UN inter-
UN-OCEANS decided to establish a "dis-
Environment and Development called
agency collaborative arrangements in
tributed secretariat," with functions
for the strengthening of coordination and
four major areas: Freshwater and water
divided into an Organizing Secretariat
development of improved arrangements
and sanitation; 2) Energy; 3) Oceans and
and an Implementing Secretariat. It was
among the relevant UN organizations
coastal areas; and 4) Changing unsus-
agreed that the Organizing Secretariat
with major marine and coastal responsi-
tainable patterns of consumption and
shall be based in UN-DOALOS, which
bilities. In 1993, these agencies formed
production. The CEB entrusted this
will, in consultation with the
50
Coordinators, assist UN-OCEANS in
Nations Convention on the Law of the
meeting its reporting requirements,
Sea (UNCLOS), Agenda 21, and the
including coordinating the preparation
Johannesburg Plan Of Implementation
of its reports and organizing meetings.
(JPOI);
The Implementing Secretariat will be
3. Identification of emerging issues, the
UN actions are extended and
established in IOC-UNESCO, and will,
definition of joint actions, and the
in consultation with the Coordinators,
establishment of specific task teams to
amplified by an outstanding group
assist UN-OCEANS in strengthening
deal with these, as appropriate;
cooperation, reviewing the relevant pro-
of Goodwill Ambassadors who have
grams and activities, and promoting the
4. Promoting the integrated management
generously accepted to use their
coherence of the UN system activities on
of ocean at the international level;
ocean and coastal areas (UN-OCEANS,
talents and status to help focus the
5. Facilitating as appropriate, the inputs
2005b).
to the annual report of the Secretary
world's attention on the work and
It is noted in its programme of work that
General on oceans and the law
need of UN organizations. Decades
UN-OCEANS will "pursue time-bound
of the sea;
initiatives, with well-defined terms of
of experience with the UN Goodwill
6. Promoting the coherence of the UN
reference, through ad hoc Task Forces
system activities on oceans and coastal
Ambassadors have shown that they
open to the participation of NGOs and
areas with the mandates of the General
other international stakeholders as
are in a position to focus the world's
Assembly, and the priorities contained
required" (UN-OCEANS 2005b). During
in the Millennium Development Goals,
eyes on human and environmental
the January 2005 meeting, the group
the JPOI and of governing bodies of all
agreed to the creation of four
UN-OCEANS members (UN-OCEANS
needs, both in their own countries
task forces on the following issues: 1)
2005a).
and around the world.
Post-Tsunami Response, 2) the Regular
Process for Global Assessment of the
Participation in UN-OCEANS
Marine Environment, 3) Biodiversity in
According to its website (http://www.
Designated UN Goodwill
Marine Areas Beyond National
oceanatlas.org/www.un-oceans.org), UN-
Jurisdictions, and 4) the Second
Ambassador(s) for Oceans would
OCEANS welcomes any UN agency to
Intergovernmental Review of the GPA
become a member through a simple
make direct representations to those
(UN-OCEANS 2005b).
expression of will. All organizations which
with the power to effect change. They
UN-OCEANS held its second intera-
had participated in the previous work of
gency meeting in June 2005 and held a
SOCA, or in the informal coordination for
would advocate for conservation and
third meeting in January 2006.
the ICP meetings are potential members,
including: UN-DESA, UN-DOALOS,
sustainable use of our oceans, coasts
Functions of UN-OCEANS
FAO, UNESCO, UNEP, World Bank
and islands. They would support
When the UN-OCEANS (then still called
(IBRD), IMO, WMO, UNDP, IAEA, CBD,
the Oceans and Coastal Areas Network)
ISA, ILO, UNIDO, WTO, WHO, UNHSP
and contribute to the UN mission to
was established, the requirement for effec-
(UN-HABITAT), UNFCCC, Ramsar
eradicate extreme poverty and hunger,
tive coordination and cooperation as well
Convention, UNCTAD, UNU, OECD, and
as the need for a strong connection with
IHO (UN-OCEANS 2005a). Additionally,
by improving environmental and
the UN Open-ended Informal
UN-OCEANS also noted that internation-
human health and the well-being
Consultative Process on Oceans and Law
al financial and other institutions like the
of the Sea (ICP) were identified. The func-
International Seabed Authority and secre-
of our planet.
tions that the ICP identified for UN-
tariats of multilateral environment treaties
OCEANS as stated in the Terms of
are encouraged to be involved in its work
--Dr. Awni Behnam, President,
Reference for the Oceans and Coastal
in order to cover political, legal, security,
International Ocean Institute,
Areas Network presented at ICP-4 include:
economic, social, and environmental
and
aspects (UN-OCEANS 2005b).
Dr. Anamarija Frankic, University of
1. Strengthening coordination and coop-
Massachusetts, Boston, and Advisor to
eration of the UN activities related to
UN-OCEANS also agreed that the partici-
Government of Croatia
ocean and coastal areas;
pation of relevant international NGOs and
other international stakeholders in the
2. Reviewing the relevant programmes
work of the UN-OCEANS Task Forces
and activities of the UN system, under-
should be encouraged under the responsi-
taken as part of their contribution to
bility of the lead institutions coordinating
the implementation of the United
51
the task forces. UN-OCEANS also agreed
Box 1. Who does what within the U.N. system for oceans and
that international NGOs should be invited
coastal area issues?*
to contribute to the activities of the task
forces and might be invited to attend
UN Institution
Main Function
selected items of the UN-OCEANS agenda
1. Division for Ocean Affairs and
Carry out the Secretary-General's responsibilities upon the
(UN-OCEANS 2005a).
Law of the Sea (UN-DOALOS)
adoption of UNCLOS and fulfill the functions associated with its
entry into force.
2. Department of Economic and
Promote sustainable development as the substantive secretariat
Bottom Line and
Social Affairs (UN-DESA)
to the UN CSD and through technical cooperation and capacity
Outstanding Issues
building at international, regional and national levels.
WSSD goal has been accomplished
3. United Nations Development
Advocate for change and connect countries to knowledge,
Programme (UNDP)
Programme (UNDP)experience and resources to help people
Out of all the WSSD goals, one can
build a better life.
unequivocally say that this goal has been
4. United Nations Environment
Provide leadership and encourage partner ship in caring for the
largely accomplished: an inter-agency
Programme (UNEP)
environment by inspiring, informing, and enabling nations and
coordination mechanism on ocean and
peoples to improve their quality of life without compromising
coastal issues within the UN system, in
that of future generations.
the form of UN-OCEANS has been estab-
5. Food and Agricultural
Facilitate and secure the long-term sustainable development and
lished and is meeting regularly, making its
Organization (FAO)
utilization of the world's fisheries and aquaculture; Fisheries
discussions and decisions publicly avail-
Department provides, on the request of Members, technical
able through the Internet. As a senior gov-
assistance in all aspects of fisheries and aquaculture manage-
ernment official put it at the Third Global
ment and development.
Conference "we can check this one off."
6. United Nations Educational,
Provide Member States of the United Nations with an essential
The first step in every inter-agency collabo-
Scientific and Cultural Organization/
mechanism for global cooperation in the study of the ocean,
ration effort is having a regular forum
Intergovernmental Oceanographic
with programs that focus on marine environmental protection,
where the agencies come together on a
Commission (UNESCO/IOC)
ecosystem dynamics, climate change, global observing systems,
data and information management, coastal area management,
periodic basis and share information on
and disaster early warning mitigation and management.
their programs and efforts and discuss
common problems. This step has clearly
7. World Bank (WB)
Provide loans, policy advice, technical assistance and knowledge
been achieved with UN-OCEANS.
sharing services to low and middle income countries to reduce
poverty.
Further evolution of UN-OCEANS
8. International Maritime Organization Improve maritime safety and prevent pollution from ships.
The long-run intent, however, of intera-
(IMO)
gency cooperation on oceans is effective-
9. World Meteorological Organization
Coordinate and manage the implementation of an operational
ness in: achieving a common vision of the
(WMO)
ocean observing system in support of the Global Ocean
problems, synergy among existing
Observing system (GOOS) and the Global Climate Observing
programs, and the carrying out of broad
system (GCOS) in support of the United Nations Framework
activities with a variety of partners that
Convention on Climate Change.
improve ocean governance in general.
10. International Atomic Energy Agency Promote nuclear and isotopic techniques and the improved
(IAEA)
understanding of marine radioactivity.
Coordination in ocean affairs in its broad-
est sense must involve not only UN agen-
11. International Seabed Authority (ISA) Serve States Parties to the UNCLOS, in accordance with the
cies at the international level but also
regime for the seabed and ocean floor and subsoil thereof
domestic agencies at the national level.
beyond the limits of national jurisdiction (the Area) established
Experience with interagency cooperation
in Part XI and the Agreement, in organizing and controlling
on oceans at the national level suggests that
activities in the Area, particularly with a view to administering
some essential factors/incentives must be
the resources of the Area.
present for collaboration to be maintained
12. Convention on Biological Diversity
Focus on integrated marine and coastal area management, the
over time and be effective. Some of the
(CBD)
sustainable use of living resources, marine and coastal protected
incentives are "soft" incentives, meaning
areas, mariculture and alien species for the conservation and sus
factors like achieving "perceptions of com-
tainable use of marine and coastal biodiversity.
mon problems and the need for joint solu-
*Adapted from the UN-OCEANS website (UN-OCEANS 2005a).
tions," and the fostering of a common
vision and a culture of collaboration.
52
Regarding "hard" incentives/factors, these
there is no explicit mention of oceans
include: 1) having a political mandate for
and Small Island Developing States
collaboration and joint action, 2) a fund-
(SIDS). Given that the 43 SIDS nations
ed Secretariat to maintain the interagency
are especially dependent on the oceans,
The architecture for ocean
cooperation over time; and 3) funding for
explicit consideration of oceans and
governance has developed in a
joint activities (Cicin-Sain, 2005). In the
SIDS issues might be considered in
case of UN-OCEANS, the "soft" incen-
future UN-OCEANS decisionmaking.
rather dispersed, decentralized way,
tives/factors are undoubtedly present--
The broader context of UN reform and
comprising not only bodies estab-
the agencies recognize that increasingly
the continuing need for a major UN
the complex scope of ocean problems
lished by the Convention but also
focal point on oceans
means that they cannot be tackled solely
those already in existence before
by a particular agency and instead require
Discussions of further enhancing UN
joint action. However, of the "hard" fac-
coherence on oceans, must be set against
its conclusion. It therefore may be
tors/incentives, only the first one--a polit-
the backdrop of UN reform. There is a
time to revisit Ambassador Arvid
ical mandate for interagency collaboration
major UN-wide reform effort underway
from the UN Secretary General--is pres-
in 2006. Although it is too early to judge
Pardo's idea. To achieve an efficient
ent. There is no specific funding for
the final results, several proposals have
governance of the oceans, he envis-
Secretariat activities to ensure the contin-
offered streamlined visions of the UN,
uing interagency cooperation and oversee
with tighter mechanisms of planning,
aged a comprehensive management
joint activities and there is no funding set
accountability and management. Given
concept for the oceans, which would
aside for joint activities within each of the
the particular status of oceans, under the
entail the establishment of an institu-
agencies planning and budgeting cycles.
framework of UNCLOS, in the context of
Also, the UN agencies all have different
UN-wide reform it might be worthwhile
tion to regulate, supervise and man-
governing bodies/processes on different
to revisit some of the options available.
age all oceans issues, including the
timelines and with different budgets,
An interagency collaborative mechanism
making funding of joint activities (outside
on oceans, can only go so far in playing
deep sea-bed. In his search for the
of the regular budgeting process) an
the high-level global advocacy role on
most efficient way to achieve this
extremely unlike event to occur. Only
oceans that is sorely needed to keep
programmes that are of sufficient magni-
ocean issues high on the agenda of the
comprehensive management concept,
tude and visibility that can "work their
United Nations and of national govern-
he proposed an institution which
way into" the governance planning cycle
ments. In most national ocean policy
of more than one agency can have a
contexts, in addition to having a regular
would integrate, either partially or
chance of receiving joint mandate and
interagency cooperation mechanism,
entirely, all of the existing institutions
budgetary support from more than one
nations have also found it imperative to
agency simultaneously. Such a process
designate a "lead" agency on oceans and
dealing with ocean affairs. As is well
will take time and effort.
to have a specific "national ocean office"
known, the Convention assigns the
that carries out the integrated ocean
In planning the further evolution of UN-
vision and associated activities (in addi-
various regulatory functions to the
OCEANS, perhaps some lessons could be
tion to having the other agencies contin-
learned from UN-WATER, the collabora-
existing competent international
uing to perform their separate functions
tive interagency mechanism that has been
related to oceans) (Cicin-Sain, 2005).
organizations. It might be time to
set up on water issues. UN-WATER
This is not yet present at the UN level--
reconsider this idea and to evaluate
appears to have gone further in the devel-
no one agency has been designated as the
opment of interagency collaboration,
the establishment of an integrated
oceans lead. In the past, there have been
including the transparency element--sev-
continuing calls for the creation of an
mechanism to efficiently deal with
eral joint reports have been produced;
overall oceans agency or a lead ocean
there is a joint logo that provides a sym-
ocean affairs.
agency (de Marffy 2006). At the Third
bolic unifying element; there is a proposal
Global Conference, these ideas were reit-
for funding a Secretariat which has been
erated, especially in the form of calls for
--Mrs. Annick de Marffy,
well received; and there is actual NGO
Former Director, UN Division for
the designation of a UN Ambassador on
participation in the meetings and activi-
Ocean Affairs and the Law of the Sea
Oceans to provide a very visible focal
ties of UN-WATER.
point on oceans (Behnam 2006).
In addition, it should be noted that until
now in the functions of UN-OCEANS
53
The Millennium Development
Goals: Improving Peoples'
Lives in Coastal Areas
Millennium Development
In September 2000, world leaders met commitment to achieve sustainable
at the United Nations Millennium
development, we further resolve to: ...
Summit and unanimously adopted the
Improve cooperation and coordination at
Goals and Targets related to
Millennium Declaration (UN 2000). This
all levels in order to address issues relat-
Oceans and Coasts
declaration focused on time- bound and
ed to oceans and seas in an integrated
measurable goals to combat poverty,
manner and promote integrated manage-
Goal 1: Eradicate extreme poverty
hunger and disease, and to promote edu-
ment and sustainable development of the
and hunger
cation, gender equity, health, and envi-
oceans and seas" (UN 2005).
ronmental sustainability. The UN
Target 1: Reduce by half the proportion of
To date it appears that the developing
General Assembly later adopted the
people living on less than a dollar a day
countries can be categorized in three
Millennium Development Goals
by 2015
groups when considering their progress
(MDGs), to be achieved by 2015, as part
on the MDG. Those largely on track
Target 2: Reduce by half the proportion of
of the road map to implementation of the
with all the goals include most of Asia
people who suffer from hunger by 2015
Millennium Declaration (World Bank,
and Northern Africa. West Asia, Latin
2004). The eight MDGs are:
Goal 7: Ensure environmental
America, and the Caribbean have made
sustainability
Goal 1. Eradicate extreme poverty
good progress towards some of the goals
and hunger
individually, but have made little
Target 9: Integrate the principles of sustain-
progress in some areas. Unfortunately
able development into country policies and
Goal 2. Achieve universal primary
sub-Saharan Africa and the least devel-
programmes and reverse the losses of envi-
education
oped countries in other regions remain
ronmental resources.
Goal 3. Promote gender equality
far from making adequate progress
Target 10: Halve by 2015 the proportion of
and empower women
towards achieving the goals (UN 2004b).
people without sustainable access to safe
Goal 4. Reduce child mortality
MDG on Environmental
drinking water and basic sanitation.
Sustainability: Stronger Focus on
Goal 5. Improve maternal health
Goal 8: Develop a global partnership
Oceans is Needed
for development
Goal 6. Combat HIV/AIDS, malaria
During the Third Global Conference, it
and other diseases
Target 14: Address the special needs of land-
was noted that "environmental sustain-
locked countries and small island developing
Goal 7. Ensure environmental
ability is the foundation upon which
States (through the Program of Action for the
sustainability
achieving the other MDGs will be built"
Sustainable Development of Small Island
(Pikitch, 2006) and that the adopters of
Goal 8. Develop a global partnership
Developing States and 22nd General
the Millennium Development Goals rec-
for development
Assembly provisions)
ognized that "there could not be a fight
These goals have galvanized efforts and
against poverty without a fight for envi-
Added in 2005 through UNGA
brought the global community together
ronmental sustainability" (Sachs, 2006).
Resolution 60/1
to address the needs of the poorest peo-
Both these statements reinforce the
Improve cooperation and coordination at
ple of the world. During the 60th Session
essential importance of environment in
all levels in order to address issues related
of the UN General Assembly in October
development and poverty reduction
to oceans and seas in an integrated manner
2005, heads of state reaffirmed their
efforts.
and promote integrated management and
resolve to meet the Millennium
Of the 8 goals, 18 targets, and 48 indica-
sustainable development of the oceans
Development Goals and passed UNGA
tors for the MDGs, only one is expressly
and seas.
Resolution A/RES/60/1 which includes
related to oceans, coasts, or small island
the statement that: "In pursuance of our
54
developing State, (target 14). Several of
the others are tangentially related to
oceans and coasts, such as reduction of
Attainment of MDGs and WSSD
poverty, protection of biodiversity, and
"...the environmental component
inclusion of sustainable development
targets for many developing
of the fight against poverty is
principles in national planning. The
countries like Kenya is hampered
2005 UNGA resolution affirms the need
probably the most neglected of
to address oceans and coasts in the effort
by the enormous debt burden
all the aspects of the Millennium
to meet the MDG.
that keeps us in poverty... It is
The U.N. Millennium Project released
Development Goals. This has
the report from its Task Force on
impossible to attain the MDG
many reasons, but even the basic
Environmental Sustainability in 2005.
goals for countries like Kenya
This report, [Environment and Human
structure of governance in poor
Well-being: A Practical Strategy,] covers
which pay over 30% of the
countries leaves the environment
fisheries and marine ecosystems in
chapter 4 on [Investing in Environmental
national budget to debt repay-
minister far out of the inner
Management] (UN, 2005a). The Task
ment without similar inflows
Force recommendations related to
circles of these concerns..."
oceans included the need to:
from new funding sources. A few
--Prof. Jeffrey D. Sachs,
· Implement ecosystem-based fishery
African countries have recently
Director, Earth Institute at Columbia
management,
University, and Special Advisor to the
benefited from debt cancellations
· Eliminate destructive fishing practices,
UN Secretary-General on the
Millennium Development Goals
by the G8 nations, but it will be
· Establish networks of marine
protected areas, and
useful for many more to be
· Restore depleted fish populations
included. African countries have
(Pikitch, 2006).
slowly risen from an all time low in
indeed paid back many times of
There are a number of different obstacles
1997, and in 2003 reached $69 Billion.
faced in the effort to achieve environmen-
Unfortunately, while the total amount
the present day debts.
tal sustainability. These include: "Lack of
has increased, it accounts for a smaller
clear operational objectives; Insufficient
portion of developed country gross
--Honorable Joseph Konzolo Munyao,
direct investment in environmental man-
national income (GNI) than in the early
EGH, MP, Minister for Fisheries and
agement; Poor integration into sectoral
1990s. Although many developed coun-
Livestock Development, Kenya
policies; Inadequate institutional capacity;
tries have pledged to commit at least
Market failures and distortions;
0.7% of their GNI to ODA, the average
Underinvestment in science and technolo-
remains under 0.25% (The World Bank
gy; Challenges in achieving regional and
Group, 2005). While total ODA may
international cooperation; and Limited
have risen, the amount reaching small
public awareness"(Pikitch, 2006).
island developing States has declined, by
some reports up to 50% between 1994
According to data reported on Target 14,
and 2004 (UN, 2004c). These reductions
Overseas Development Assistance has
55
munities. While many developing coun-
made towards poverty alleviation and
tries are rich in marine and coastal
achieving the Millennium Development
resources, they remain in poverty in
Goals in the specific context of oceans,
some cases due to inequitable use agree-
coasts, and small island states.
ments related to their resources
(McLean, 2006).
The Bottom Line
It is important for integrated ocean and
The ability for nations to agree on the
coastal management efforts to address the
Millennium Development Goals repre-
economic and social aspects of communi-
sents an important step towards linking
in available funds will continue to have
ties in developing countries. An excellent
the environment with poverty alleviation,
devastating impacts on the nations strug-
example of such an effort is the Tanzania
but there is more work to be done.
gling to meet their basic needs.
Marine and Coastal Environmental
Unfortunately, the MDGs seem to take a
Management Project (MACEMP), which
Ocean and Coastal Management
narrow view of what constitutes environ-
addresses the range of aspects involved in
Should Address Poverty Reduction
ment. While it is promising that one of the
coastal and ocean management. This proj-
goals is environmental sustainability, the
Ocean and coastal areas and marine
ect aims to strengthen governance
targets related to this goal focus primarily
resources contribute significantly to the
through more integrated approaches and
on energy use, freshwater and forests.
economies of many nations, and are par-
address fisheries, coastal management,
While these are useful proxies for
ticularly important to developing coun-
livelihood generation and poverty reduc-
improved environmental services, they do
tries in their efforts to eradicate poverty.
tion as well as private sector involvement
not capture the complexity of environ-
These resources serve as the basis for the
(McLean, 2006).
mental issues and the interlinkages
livelihoods of many poor coastal com-
Poor nations rely heavily on their natural
between the environment and poverty
capital, and without other resources, this
reduction. Given the importance of oceans
can lead to environmental degradation.
to our global environment for example as
The cycle of poverty does not afford the
a source of protein and also through their
Integrated management of the
opportunity to "invest" this environmen-
role in weather regulation and therefore
tal capital for future benefits, as those in
the water cycle, not to expressly consider
coast and the marine environ-
extreme poverty are struggling to survive
improving ocean health as a step towards
and must rely on the environment in
environmental sustainability represents a
ment is altogether an essential
order to do so. There is an inextricable
significant gap.
aspect of improving the social
link between poverty alleviation and
environmental sustainability, yet unfor-
"On all of the Millennium Develop-
and economic conditions of com-
tunately the importance of this link is
ment Goals, we face the fundamental
munities which are mostly estab-
not always recognized. The link between
challenge that there are a lot of nice
environment and health, such as access
words and... all promises that need to
lished in such coastal zones--
to safe drinking water is also undeniable.
be made have been made. However, we
One of the most important steps towards
hence the need for vigilance on
reinforcing and recognizing these con-
are way off track on actually doing
the part of all those involved in
nections is getting environmental consid-
what needs to be accomplished"
erations systematically into national
(Sachs 2006).
development to ensure better
development strategies (Sachs, 2006).
With these words, it is clear that signifi-
management of the marine and
The Lack of Monitoring of Socio-
cant further action needs to be taken to
Economic Conditions in Coastal
coastal environment, a revenue
stay on track to meet these goals by 2015.
Communities
source that must be managed in
A major setback in assessing progress is
an ecologically rational way.
the fact that there is no systematic meas-
urement of the social and economic well-
being of peoples in coastal areas, which
--Honorable Thierno Lo, Minister for
the Environment and Protection
are home to 50% of the world's popula-
of Nature, Senegal
tion. This lack of measurement makes it
difficult to determine if progress is being
56
57
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well-being: a practical strategy. Available:
Available: http://www.sidsnet.org/.
http://www.unmillenniumproject.org/reports/tf_en
UN-OCEANS. 2005a. About UN-OCEANS.
vironment.htm.
Available: http://www.oceansatlas.org/www.un-
United Nations. 2005b. The Millennium
oceans.org/About.htm.
Development Goals Report: 2005. New York,
UN-OCEANS. 2005b. Report of the First Inter-
48pp.
Agency Meeting of UN-OCEANS. Available:
United Nations. 2005c. Millennium Project Web
http://www.oceansatlas.org/www.un-
site. Available:
oceans.org/Documents.htm.
http://www.unmillenniumproject.org
Vierros, M. 2006. The CBD COP-8: Results of
United Nations 2005d. 2005 World Summit
relevance to oceans, coasts and islands.
Outcome, UN General Assembly Resolution 60/1.
Viet Thang, N. 2006. Some Achievements and
Available: http://www.un.org/summit2005/docu-
Challenges in National Implementation of Marine
ments.html
and Coastal Biodiversity Targets of Viet Nam.
United Nations. 2004a. Chronological lists of ratifi-
Available: http://www.globaloceans.org/globalcon-
cations of, accessions and successions to the
ferences/2006/pdf/NguyenVietThang.pdf.
60
About the Global Forum
The Global Forum on Oceans, Coasts, and Islands, cre- 4. Mobilize public awareness on oceans, coasts, and islands,
ated at the World Summit on Sustainable
and promote information sharing and dissemination.
Development in Johannesburg in September 2002, aims
to advance the interests of oceansincorporating 72% of
Publications and Internet Services by the Global Forum
the Earth; coasts the home of 50% of the world's popula-
on Oceans, Coasts, and Islands
tion; and islands 43 of the world's nations are small
1. Small Islands, Large Ocean States: A Review of Ocean and Coastal
island developing states which are especially dependent
Management in Small Island Developing States since the 1994
on the oceans. The Global Forum is composed of experts
Barbados Programme of Action for the Sustainable Development of
from governments, intergovernmental and international
Small Island Developing States (SIDS) (2005)
organizations, and nongovernmental organizations (envi-
2. Climate Change and Energy Issues in Small Island Developing States
ronmental, scientific/technical, industry, and foundations)
(2005)
with the common goal of encouraging the sustainable
3. Mobilizing for Implementation of the Commitments Made at the 2002
development of oceans, coasts, and islands.
World Summit on Sustainable Development on Oceans, Coasts, and
Small Island Developing States Co-Chairs' Report of the 2003
The Global Forum responds to major needs at the
Global Conference on Oceans, Coasts, and Islands,
international scale:
UNESCO, Paris, November 12-14, 2003 and Subsequent
Developments (May 2004)
N Promotion of cross-sectoral dialogue on ocean and coastal
4. Global Multilateral Environmental Agreements and Small Island
issues;
Developing States (2004)
N Promotion of dialogue among governments, nongovern-
5. Voluntary Partnership Initiatives from the 2002 World Summit on
mental organizations, intergovernmental organizations, the
Sustainable Development and Small Island Developing States (2003)
private sector, and scientific institutions;
(also in Spanish)
N A mechanism for oceans advocacy at the highest political
6. A Guide to Oceans, Coasts and Islands at the World Summit on
levels; and
Sustainable Development: Integrated Management from Hilltops to
N A venue for linking oceans and freshwater concerns
Oceans (2002)
7. Ensuring the Sustainable Development of Oceans and Coasts: A Call to
The major goals of the Global Form are to:
Action. Co-Chairs' Report, the Global Conference on Oceans
and Coasts at Rio+10, Paris, UNESCO, December 3-7,
1. Work together with governments, international and inter-
2001 (2001)
governmental organizations, nongovernmental organiza-
8. Ministerial Perspectives on Oceans and Coasts at Rio+10 (2001)
tions (environmental, scientific/technical, industry, founda-
tions), and others to effectively implement, at national and
9. Reports of the Conference Working Groups, The Global
regional levels, major international agreements on oceans,
Conference on Oceans and Coasts at Rio+10, Paris,
especially the commitments made in the Plan of
UNESCO, December 3-7, 2001 (2001)
Implementation of the World Summit on Sustainable
10. Internet services: www.globaloceans.org provides a variety
Development, commitments from Agenda 21, and other
of information services on global, regional, and national
related agreements;
developments related to oceans, coasts, and islands
2. Work as a catalyst to mobilize knowledge, resources, and
11. Global Forum Newsletter, an electronic newsletter,
organizational action to advance the global oceans agenda;
is published every four months
3. Raise the international profile of oceans, coasts, and islands
(available on http://www.globaloceans.org)
in all relevant global, regional, and sub-regional fora and
mobilize resources to address these issues;
61
Steering Committee, Working Groups, and Roundtables of the
Global Forum on Oceans, Coasts, and Islands
Steering Committee, Global
Ambassador Jagdish Koonjul, Foreign
Chua Thia-Eng, Regional Programme
Jean-Claude Sainlos, Director, Marine
Forum on Oceans, Coasts,
Affairs, Mauritius, former Chair,
Director, Partnership in Environmental
Environment Division, International
and Islands*
Alliance of Small Island States (AOSIS)
Management for the Seas of East Asia
Maritime Organization
Tom Laughlin, Deputy Director,
(PEMSEA), IMO/UNDP/GEF,
Eduard Sarukhanian, Director,
Co-Chairs
International Affairs Office, National
Philippines
World-Weather-Watch-Applications,
Oceanic and Atmospheric
Ahmed Djoghlaf, Executive Secretary,
World Meteorological Organization
Biliana Cicin-Sain, Director, Gerard J.
Administration (NOAA), USA
Convention on Biological Diversity
(WMO) Switzerland
Mangone Center for Marine Policy,
University of Delaware
Haiqing Li, Director, International
Al Duda, Senior Advisor, International
Alan Simcock, Executive Secretary,
Affairs, State Oceanic Administration
Waters, Global Environment Facility
OSPAR Convention, London
Patricio A. Bernal, Executive-Secretary,
(SOA), China
(GEF)
Intergovernmental Oceanographic
Dann Sklarew, Director and Chief
Commission, UNESCO, Paris, France
John Low, Adviser to the Minister of
Serge Garcia, Director, Marine Fisheries
Technical Advisor, GEF, IW:LEARN
Marine Resources for the Cook Islands
Resources Division, Food and
Veerle Vandeweerd, Head, Regional Seas
Asterio Takesy, Director, Secretariat for
Agriculture Organization (FAO)
Programme, United Nations
Rejoice Mabudafhasi, Deputy Minister
the Pacific Regional Environment
Environment Programme (UNEP), and
of Environmental Affairs and Tourism,
Vladimir Golitsyn, Director, UN
Programme
Coordinator, Global Programme of
South Africa
Division for Ocean Affairs and the
Eugenio Yunis, Chief, Sustainable
Action for the Protection of the Marine
Camille Mageau, Director, Marine
Law of the Sea
Development of Tourism, World
Environment from Land-Based
Ecosystems Conservation Branch,
Art Hanson, Institute for Sustainable
Tourism Organization, Madrid
Activities, The Hague, Netherlands
Department of Fisheries and Oceans,
Development, Canada
Nongovernmental members
Governmental members
Canada
Marea E. Hatziolos, Senior Coastal and
Jan Mees, Director, Flanders Marine
Marine Specialist, Environment
Milton Asmus, International
Ambassador David Balton, Deputy
Institute, Belgium
Department, The World Bank
Representative, Brazilian Agency for
Assistant Secretary for Oceans and
Coastal Management
Fisheries, Bureau of Oceans, U.S.
Guillermo Garcia Montero,
Indumathie Hewawasam,
Department of State
President, National Aquarium of Cuba,
Senior Environmental Specialist,
Awni Behnam, President, International
Havana, Cuba
The World Bank
Ocean Institute, Malta
Phil Burgess, National Oceans Office,
Australia, and former Co-chair, UN
Magnus Ngoile,
Andrew Hudson,
Charles A. Buchanan, Administrator
Informal Consultative Process on
Director-General, Environmental
Principal Technical Advisor,
Luso-American Development
Oceans and the Law of the Sea
Management Council, Tanzania
International Waters, UNDP/GEF
Foundation, Portugal
Nguyen Chu Hoi, Director, Institute of
Lori Ridgeway, Director-General,
Vladimir Mamaev, GEF Regional
Simon Cripps, Director, Global Marine
Fisheries Economics and Planning,
International Coordination and Policy
Technical Advisor, UNDP, Europe and
Programme, World Wide Fund for
Ministry of Fisheries, Vietnam
Analysis, Department of Fisheries and
the CIS, Slovak Republic
Nature (WWF) International
Oceans, Canada, and Co-Chair, UN
Aldo Cosentino, Director-General,
Franklin McDonald, Adviser, United
Richard Delaney, Executive Vice
Informal Consultative Process on Ocean
Directorate for Nature Protection, Sea
Nations Environment Programme,
President, Horsley & Witten Group,
Affairs and Law of the Sea
Protection, Ministry for Environment
Caribbean Environment Programme
USA
and Protection of the Territory, Italy
Christopher Tompkins, Marine
(UNEP/CEP), and former Director,
Annick de Marffy, former Director of
Environment Division, Department of
National Environmental Policy Agency,
Margaret Davidson, Director, Coastal
Division of Ocean Affairs and Law of
Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
Jamaica
Services Center, National Oceanic and
the Sea (UNDOALOS), United Nations
(DEFRA), United Kingdom
Atmospheric Administration (NOAA),
Ali Mohamed, Coordinator, Coastal and
International Consultant
USA
Mario Ruivo, Chairman, Portuguese
Marine Secretariat, New Partnership for
Sylvia Earle, Executive Director, Global
Committee for Intergovernmental
Africa's Development (NEPAD), Kenya
Antonio Diaz de Leon, Director-
Marine Programme, Conservation
Oceanographic Commission (IOC)
General, Environmental, Regional
Satya Nandan, Secretary-General,
International
Integration and Sectoral Policy,
Ambassador Enele S. Sopoaga, Tuvalu,
International Seabed Authority, Jamaica
Charles Ehler, UNESCO Consultant,
Environment and Natural Resources
Vice-Chair, Alliance of Small Island
Tiago Pitta e Cunha, Member, Cabinet
former director of U.S. coastal manage-
Ministry (SEMARNAT), Mexico
Developing States (AOSIS)
of Fisheries and Maritime
ment program.
Caroline Hart, Department of
Intergovernmental members
Commissioner, European Commission
Julius Francis, Executive Secretary,
Conservation, New Zealand
Western Indian Ocean Marine Science
Margarita Astralaga, Senior Advisor,
Cristelle Pratt, Director, South Pacific
Ambassador Julian R. Hunte,
Association, Tanzania
Ramsar Convention Secretariat,
Applied Geoscience Commission
Permanent Mission of St. Lucia to the
Switzerland
(SOPAC), Fiji
Matthew Gianni, Political Advisor, Deep
United Nations, Chair, Alliance of Small
Diane Quarless, Chief, Small Island
Sea Conservation Coalition,
Island States
Julian Barbiere and Stefano Belfiore,
Netherlands
Intergovernmental Oceanographic
Developing States Unit, UNDESA
Elie Jarmache, Chargé de Mission,
Commission, France
Anne Rogers, United Nations
Lynne Hale, Director, Marine Strategy,
Secrétariat Général de la Mer, France
The Nature Conservancy
Edwin W. Carrington, Secretary-
Department of Economic and Social
Magnus Johannesson, Secretary-
General, Caribbean Community and
Affairs (UNDESA)
Gregor Hodgson, Director, Reef Check
General, Ministry for the Environment,
Common Market (CARICOM) (Invited)
Iceland
62
Paul Holthus, Executive Director and
Working Group Members
Chris Tompkins, Department for
Marina N'Deye, Cape Verde
President, Marine Aquarium Council,
Environment, Food, and Rural Affairs,
Frida Armas-Pfirter, Austral University,
Mary Power, South Pacific Applied
Hawaii
UK
Argentina
Geoscience Commission
Gunnar Kullenberg, Independent
David VanderZwaag, Dalhousie
Robert Baldi, Department for
Chua Thia-Eng, Partnership for
Consultant and former Director,
University
Environment, Food, and Rural Affairs,
Environmental Management in the Seas
Intergovernmental Oceanographic
UK
Monica Verbeek, Seas at Risk
of East Asia (PEMSEA)
Commission (IOC)
Miriam Balgos, Global Forum on
Marjo Vierros, Convention on Biological
Carl Lundin, Head, IUCN Marine
Oceans, Coasts, and Islands
Diversity (CBD)
Programme
Working Group on
Leif Christoffersen, Diversa Corporation
LaVerne Walker, St. Lucia
Dawn Martin, Executive Director,
Freshwater to Oceans
Sea Web, USA
Biliana Cicin-Sain, Global Forum on
Lindsey Williams, Global Forum on
Oceans, Coasts, and Islands
Oceans, Coasts, and Islands
Co-Chairs
Gerald Miles, The Nature Conservancy,
Pacific Region, Brisbane, Australia
Fanny Douvere, UNESCO
Working Group on Small Island
Thomas Laughlin, United States
National Oceanic and Atmospheric
Iouri Oliounine, Director, International
Sylvia Earle, Conservation International
Developing States
Administration (NOAA)
Ocean Institute, Malta
Martin Exel, Austral Fisheries
Biliana Cicin-Sain, Global Forum on
Patricia Munoz, National Polytechnique
Pietro Parravano, President, Institute
Anne Frenette, Department of Fisheries
Oceans, Coasts, and Islands
Institute, Mexico
for Fisheries Resources, World Fisheries
and Oceans, Canada
Forum
Laletta Davis-Mattis, NEPA, Jamaica
Working Group Members
Serge Garcia, Food and Agriculture
Sian Pullen, Independent Consultant,
Arthur Gray, ECLAC
Organization (FAO)
Martin Adriaanse, United Nations
New Zealand, and former Head of
James Hardcastle, Nature Seychelles
Environment Programme Global
European and Middle East Marine
Matthew Gianni, Deep Sea
Fabian Hinds, Coastal Zone
Programme of Action
Program, World Wildlife Fund for
Conservation Coalition
Management Unit, Trinidad and Tobago
Nature (WWF) International, UK
Porfirio Alvarez, Ministry of
Kristina Gjerde, The World
Annick de Marffy, Independent
Environment and Natural Resources,
Victoria Radchenko, Director,
Conservation Union (IUCN)
Consultant
SEMARNAT, Mexico
International Ocean Institute, Ukraine
Vladimir Golitsyn, UN Division for
Franklin McDonald, Advisor, UNEP
Margarita Astralaga, Ramsar Convention
Tony Ribbink, Director, African
Ocean Affairs and the Law of the Sea
Caribbean
Secretariat
Coelacanth Ecosystem Programme
Fred Grassle, Institute of Marine and
(ACEP) Secretariat, South Africa
Alice Aureli, Division of Water Sciences,
Coastal Sciences, Rutgers University
Marina N'Deye Pereira Silva,
Independent Consultant, Cape Verde
UNESCO
Evelia Rivera-Arriaga, Centro de
Arlo Hemphill,
Ecologia, Pesquerias y Oceanographia
Isaac Azuz-Adeath, Cetys University,
Conservation International
Cristelle Pratt and Mary Power, South
del Golfo de Mexico (EPOMEX),
Pacific Applied Geoscience Commission
Mexico
Elie Jarmache, Prime Minister's Office,
Mexico
Miriam Balgos, Global Forum on
France
Alf Simpson, Independent Consultant
Nirmal Jivan Shah, Chief Executive,
Oceans, Coasts, and Islands
Sam Johnston, Institute of Advanced
LaVerne Walker, Coastal Zone
Nature Seychelles
Julian Barbiere, Intergovernmental
Studies, United Nations University
Management Unit, St. Lucia
Kristian Teleki, International Coral Reef
Oceanographic Commission of
(UNU-IAS)
David VanderZwaag, Dalhousie
Action Network, Switzerland
UNESCO
Kim Juniper, University of Montreal at
University
Hiroshi Terashima, Executive Director,
Stefano Belfiore, Intergovernmental
Quebec
Institute for Ocean Policy, Ocean Policy
Oceanographic Commission of
Lee Kimball, The World Conservation
Research Foundation, Japan
Working Group on Capacity
UNESCO
Union (IUCN)
Grant Trebble, African Marine and
Development
Nancy Bennet, United Nations
David Leary, Centre for Environmental
Coastal Resource Over-exploitation
Environment Programme Global
Law, Macquarie University
Chair
Prevention Strategy (AMCROPS),
Programme of Action
South Africa
Michael Lodge, High Seas Task Force
Indumathie Hewawasam, The World
Biliana Cicin-Sain, Global Forum on
Philippe Vallette and Manuel Cira,
Eric Mathur, Diversa Corporation
Bank
Oceans, Coasts, and Islands
NAUSICAA (Centre National de la
Jennifer Mooney, Department of
Working Group Members
Gonzalo Cid and Ed Kruse,
Mer), France, and the World Ocean
Fisheries and Oceans, Canada
NOAA/National Ocean
Network
Margarita Astralaga, Ramsar Convention
Service/International Program Office
Daniel Owen, Fenners Chambers,
Marjo Vierros, United Nations
Awni Behnam, International Ocean
United Kingdom
Antonio Diaz de Leon, Ministry of
University
Institute
Environment and Natural Resources,
Jean-Francois Pulvenis, Food and
David VanderZwaag, IUCN Specialist
Margaret Davidson, U.S. National
SEMARNAT, Mexico
Agriculture Organization (FAO)
Group on Ocean Law and Governance
Oceanic and Atmospheric
Charles N. Ehler, UNESCO Consultant
Gaile Ramoutar, Trinidad and Tobago
Administration Coastal Services Center
*Members of the Steering Committee
Cees van de Guchte, United Nations
participate in their individual, not orga-
Rosemary Rayfuse, University of New
Ehrlich Desa, Capacity Building Section,
Environment Programme Global
nizational, capacities.
South Wales
UNESCO
Programme of Action
Working Group on High Seas
Lori Ridgeway, Department of Fisheries
Anamarija Frankic, University of
Niels Ipsen, UNEP Collaborating Centre
and Oceans, Canada
Massachusetts Boston
Governance
on Water and the Environment,
Alex Rogers, British Antarctic Survey
Robin Mahon, Caribbean LME
Denmark
Co-Chairs
Karen Sack, Greenpeace International
Programme
Annuka Lipponen, Division of Water
Salvatore Arico, UNESCO
Sciences, UNESCO
Renée Sauvé, Department of Fisheries
Franklin McDonald, UNEP Caribbean
Environment Environment Programme
Alfonso Ascencio Herrera, Permanent
and Oceans, Canada
Elizabeth McLanahan and Jennifer
Mission of Mexico to the UN
Winston, NOAA/International Affairs
Norma Taylor Roberts, Permanent
Ali Mohamed, Coastal and Marine
Mission of Jamaica to the UN
Secretariat, New Partnership for Africa's
Development
63
Steven Olsen, University of Rhode
Arlo Hemphill, Manager, Marine
Business and Industry
Jane Mauro, Biologist, PETROBAS,
Island
Agenda, Conservation International
Leaders Roundtable
Brazil
Evelia Rivera-Arriaga, Centro Epomex-
Indumathie Hewawasam, Senior
Lennart Nyman, Former Conservation
Universidad Autónoma de Campeche,
Environmental Specialist, The World
Coordinator
Director, WWF-Sweden
Mexico
Bank
Paul Holthus, Marine Aquarium
Dierk Peters, International Marketing
Kateryna Wowk, Global Forum on
Lennox Hinds, Senior Marine Affairs
Council and Steering Committee
Manager, Sustainability Projects,
Oceans, Coasts, and Islands
and Fisheries Policy Advisor, Natural
Member, Global Forum on Oceans,
UNILEVER
Resources, Canadian International
Coasts, and Islands
Kathrin Runge, Marketing, Friedrichs
Development Agency (CIDA)
Members
FeinFisch
Oceans Donors Roundtable
Paul Holthus, Marine Aquarium
Bruce Tackett, Washington
Council and Private Sector Coordinator,
Lahsen Ababouch, Chief, Fish
Chair
Representative, International Relations,
Steering Committee, Global Forum on
Utilization and Marketing Service,
ExxonMobil Biomedical Sciences
David Freestone, Deputy General
Oceans, Coasts, and Islands
FAO Fisheries Tsunami Task Force
Counsel, Advisory Services, Legal Vice
Brid Torrades, Commissioner,
Andrew Hudson, Principal Technical
Patricio Bernal, Executive Secretary,
Presidency The World Bank
Eurotoque International, Ireland
Advisor, International Waters, United
Intergovernmental Oceanographic
Commission, UNESCO
Dirk Troost, Chief, Coasts and Small
Members
Nations Development Programme
(UNDP)
Daniel Bailey, Chairman, Batostar
Islands Platform, UNESCO
Jens Ambsdorf, Foundation Board
Fishting Ltd., South Africa
Scott Truver, Group Vice President,
Member, Project Management,
Takashi Ito, Director, Maritime Affairs,
CSSO Anteon Corporation
Lighthouse Foundation
The Nippon Foundation, Japan
Julian Barbiere, Intergovernmental
Oceanographic Commission, UNESCO
Veerle Vandeweerd, Dr. Veerle
Yves Auffret, Maritime Policy Task
Peter Jarchau, Deutsche Gesellschaft für
Vandeweerd, Director, UN Environment
Force, European Commission
Technische Zusammenarbeit
Arthur Bogason, Co-President, World
Forum of Fish Harvesters and Fish
Programme, Regional Seas Programme,
Julian Barbiere, Coastal Management
Tom Laughlin, Deputy Director,
Workers
and Global Programme of Action for the
Specialist, Intergovernmental
Office of International Affairs, U.S.
Protection of the Marine Environment
Oceanographic Commission, UNESCO
National Oceanic and Atmospheric
Mark Caney, Vice President, Training,
from Land-Based Activities
Administration
Education, and Memberships,
Tim Bostock, Policy Division,
Professional Association of Diving
Tim Wilkins, Environmental Manager,
Department for International
Carl Lundin, Head, Global Marine
Instructors International
INTERTANKO
Development
Program, IUCN, World Conservation
Union
Biliana Cicin-Sain, Director, Gerard J.
John Young, Marine Sound
Mário Brandao, Fundaçao Oriente
Management Team Coordinator,
Marc-Antoine Martin, French Global
Mangone Center for Marine Policy,
Charles Buchanan, Administrator,
ExxonMobil Exploration Company
Environment Facility
University of Delaware and Co-Chair,
Luso-American Development
Global Forum on Oceans, Coasts,
Foundation (FLAD)
Gerald Miles, Senior Adviser,
and Islands
Conservation Finance and Policy,
Ezio Bussoletti, Permanent
The Nature Conservancy
John Connelly, President, National
Representative of Italy to UNESCO
Fisheries Institute, International
Magnus Ngoile, Director General,
Coalition of Fishing Associations
Biliana Cicin-Sain, Director, Gerard J.
National Environment Management
Mangone Center for Marine Policy,
Council, Tanzania
Bruno Corréard, Manager for
University of Delaware and Co-Chair,
Sustainable Marine Resources,
Global Forum on Oceans, Coasts, and
Francesca Palmisani, Researcher,
Carrefour Group
Islands
Fondazione Eni Enrico Mattei
Jean Courjault, MIF Liaison, French
Simon Cripps, Director, Global Marine
Ellen Pikitch, Executive Director,
Suppliers Council (GEP), EUROGIF
Programme, WWF International
Pew Institute for Ocean Science
(the European oil and gas innovation
forum)
Alfred Duda, Senior Adviser, GEF
John Richardson, Head, Maritime Policy
International Waters Program, Global
Task Force, European Commisssion
Rob Cox, Technical Manager, IPIECA
Environment Facility
Mark J. Spalding, Executive Officer,
Lisa Dwyer, Secretary General, Shipping
Sylvia Earle, Executive Director, Global
The Ocean Foundation
Emissions Abatement and Trading
Marine Programme, Conservation
Hiroshi Terashima, Executive Officer,
Philippe Ferlin, Ingénieur Général,
International
Ocean Policy Research Foundation,
GREF
Rui Esgaio, Calouste Gulbenkian
Japan
Serge Garcia, Director, FAO Fishery
Foundation
Cees van de Guchte, Senior Programme
Resource Division
Lynne Hale, Director, Marine Initiative,
Officer, UNEP Global Programme of
Shelby Hockenberry, Gerard J. Mangone
The Nature Conservancy
Action for the Protection of the Marine
environment from Land-based Activities
Center for Marine Policy, University of
Marea Hatziolos, The World Bank
(GPA) Coordination Office
Delaware and Secretariat, Global Forum
on Oceans, Coasts, and Islands
Veerle Vandeweerd, Head, Regional Seas
Programme, and Coordinator, UNEP-
Hector-Lysis Kyriakidis, Managing
GPA Coordination Office
Director, Teledyne R.D.Instruments-
Europe
Evan Vlachos, Colorado State University
Jose Matheickal, Technical Adviser,
Huming Yu, Senior Programme Officer,
GloBallast Water Management
Partnerships for Environmental
Programme, Marine Environment
Management in the Seas of East Asia
Division, IMO
64
Local Organizing Committee
Global Forum Secretariat
Third Global Conference on Oceans, Coasts, and Islands:
The International Coastal and Ocean Organization (ICO) is the Secretariat of the
Moving the Global Oceans Agenda Forward
Global Forum on Oceans, Coasts, and Islands. ICO is an international non-
governmental organization (NGO) accredited to the United Nations roster for
January 23-27, 2006, UNESCO, Paris
the UN Commission on Sustainable Development since 1993, and is dedicated
to advancing the global agenda on oceans, coasts, and small island developing
Co-Chairs:
States (SIDS) through policy analyses, multistakeholder dialogues, and public
education and outreach. ICO is hosted at the Gerard J. Mangone Center for
Dr. Patricio Bernal, Executive Secretary, Intergovernmental Oceanographic
Marine Policy, University of Delaware, USA.
Commission, UNESCO, and
Dr. Biliana Cicin-Sain, Co-Chair, Global Forum on Oceans, Coasts, and Islands
Head of Global Forum Secretariat
Dr. Veerle Vandeweerd, Director, UNEP Regional Seas Programme,
Dr. Biliana Cicin-Sain, President
and Coordinator, UNEP/GPA
International Coastal and Ocean Organization,
Members:
and Professor and Director,
Gerard J. Mangone Center for Marine Policy
Dr. Salvatore Arico, Biodiversity Specialist, Division of Ecological and
Earth Sciences
University of Delaware, Newark, Delaware 19716 USA
Yves Auffret, National Expert, European Commission
Telephone: 1-302-831-8086, Fax: 1-302-831-3668
E-mail: bcs@udel.edu
Francesco Bandarin, Director, UNESCO World Heritage Centre
Julian Barbiere, IOC, UNESCO, Global Forum Steering Committee
Global Forum Program Coordinator
Dr. Stefano Belfiore, IOC, UNESCO, Global Forum Steering Committee
Dr. Miriam C. Balgos (mbalgos@udel.edu)
Prof. Ezio Bussoletti, Permanent Delegation of Italy to UNESCO
Isabelle Cassandre Le Fournis, UNESCO Media
Contributors to Global Forum Activities
Prof. Federico Cinquepalmi, National Technical Board for Natural Protected
Shelby M. Hockenberry,
Areas, General Directorate for Nature Protection, Ministry for the
Gerard J. Mangone Center for Marine Policy,
Environment and Territory, Italy
Center Coordinator (smhocken@udel.edu)
Miguel Clusener-Godt, Division of Ecological and Earth Sciences
Lindsey C. Williams,
Fanny Douvere, UNESCO consultant
Research Assistant (lcw@udel.edu)
Christophe Du Castel, Chargé de Mission, Secrétariat du FFEM AFD
Amanda Wenczel,
(French GEF)
Research Assistant (awenczel@udel.edu)
Charles Ehler, UNESCO consultant, Global Forum Steering Committee
Kateryna M. Wowk,
Research Assistant (kmw@udel.edu)
Maja Frankoviæ, Mission Secretary, UNESCO Croatian Mission
Xavier Gizard, Secretary General of the Conference of the Peripheral Maritime Regions
Brandon Riff, Research Assistant (briff@udel.edu)
of Europe (CPMR) represented by Jean-Didier Hache and Julie Gourden
Stephanie Scholl, Research Assistant (scholls@udel.edu)
Jean Guellec, Chargé de Mission, Commissariat General du Plan, Paris, France
Neal D. Goldstein, Website Designer/Developer (ngoldstein@cms.udel.edu)
Natarajan Ishwaran, Director, Division of Ecological and Earth Sciences
Elie Jarmache, Secrétariat Général de la Mer, France
Jorge Gutierrez, Publication Services (jagutierrez@mail.uacam.mx)
Seadeta Midzic, Advisor for Culture, Embassy of Croatia
Kevin McLaughlin, Publication Services (kmdesign@comcast.net)
Sébastien Moncorps, Chair, Comité Français pour l'UICN
Magdalena Muir, EUCC-Coastal Union
Julia Roberson, Program Associate, Europe Program, SeaWeb
Dr. András Szöllösi-Nagy, Director of the Division of Water Sciences and Secretary
of the International Hydrological Programme, and Coordinator of UNESCO's
environmental programmes
Chris Tompkins and Mr. Robert Baldi, Department for Environment Food and
Rural Affair (DEFRA), UK
Dirk Troost, Chief, Coasts and Small Islands Platform, UNESCO
Philippe Vallette and Manuel Cira, NAUSICAA, France
Sue Williams, UNESCO Media
65
Cover design and layout by Kevin McLaughlin
Cover design and layout by Kevin McLaughlin
www.globaloceans.org