On Tuesday, delegates to the twelfth meeting of the United Nations Open-ended Informal Consultative Process on Oceans and the Law of the Sea (Consultative Process or ICP-12) convened in a discussion panel on the overview of progress to date and the remaining gaps in the implementation of relevant oceans and seas outcomes of the major summits on sustainable development.

In the morning, presentations were made and a discussion was held on: progress and gaps in marine scientific research, emerging challenges and links between science and policy making; remaining gaps and challenges in capacity building and transfer of technology to implement the ocean-related outcomes of the relevant summits; and implementation of the ocean-related outcomes affecting the social aspects of fisheries.

This panel continued in the afternoon with presentations on: deep-sea research and international ocean governance; assessment of progress in marine pollution control and challenges; and the integrated management of the oceans and seas, including coral reefs.

Above: The International Programme on the State of the Ocean and IUCN held a press conference on the outcome of the international Earth system expert workshop on ocean stresses and impacts.