Highlights and images for 17 May 2017

Summary

On Wednesday, delegates to the eighteenth meeting of the UN Open-ended Informal Consultative Process on Oceans and the Law of the Sea (ICP-18) participated in discussion panels on “cooperation and coordination in addressing the effects of climate change on oceans – current actions and opportunities for further enhancement.”

In the morning, delegates heard five presentations on: science stewardship projects and programmes; the Global Ocean Observing System; the role of “blue forests” in capturing and storing carbon and providing ecosystem services nationally and globally; regional strategies for ecosystem-based adaptation; and building resilience into ocean management and marine reserves. Discussion topics included: collaboration between NOAA and the Research Center for Oceanography, Indonesia; kelp forests in temperate and polar regions; capacity-building in ocean science; difficulties in predicting El Niño events; and taking action despite the need for further scientific developments.

Five presentations in the afternoon covered: the GEF, climate change finance, and lessons learned; awareness raising in Asia, Africa, Latin America and the Caribbean, and assistance for national adaptation plans and implementation of field projects; CTI-CFF measures and steps to address climate change-related coral reef issues; the effects of climate change on people in coastal areas in Indonesia: mitigation and adaptation experience and possible international cooperation; and effects of rising sea levels on maritime boundaries and “deterritorialization”. Discussions focused on accessing climate finance and effectiveness of climate funds at the national level; the need for private and public financing for countries not covered under agency mandates; and integration of “local wisdom” in ecosystem-based fisheries management plans. Additional discussions included: early warning systems for atolls and precursor technology; legal implications of sea level rise for SIDS; addressing gaps related to climate-displaced persons; access to funding to address changing baselines; reopening existing joint development agreements under changed circumstances; and the applicability of the South China Sea arbitration case on Article 121 to the status of an island.

IISD Reporting Services, through its Earth Negotiations Bulletin (ENB) Meeting Coverage, is providing daily web coverage and a summary and analysis report in English and French from the 18th Meeting of the UN Open-ended Informal Consultative Process on Oceans and the Law of the Sea.

Photos by IISD/ENB | Mike Muzurakis
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Hernan Garcia, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA)

Noureddine Yassaa, Algeria

Vladimir Ryabinin, Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission, United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (IOC-UNESCO)

From L-R: Vladimir Ryabinin, IOC-UNESCO; Hernan Garcia, NOAA; and Co-Chair Kornelios Korneliou, Cyprus

Yolannie Cerrato Corrales, Honduras

Lucía Raffin, Argentina

Ko Barrett, US

Michel Djimgou Djomeni, Cameroon

Isaías Medina Mejías, Venezuela

Elliot Harris, UN Assistant Secretary-General, United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP)

Bethan O'Leary, University of York, UK

Jeung Sook Park, Republic of Korea

Anastasia Strati, Greece

Angel Horna, Peru

Vasiliki Krasa, Cyprus

The panel during the afternoon session

Napoleon Beras, Dominican Republic

Cyrille Barnerias, Global Environment Facility (GEF)

Muhammad Lukman, Coral Triangle Initiative

Hassan Moustahfid, Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO)

Makurita Baaro, Kiribati

Nadia Deckert, France

Carlos Garcia Soto, Spain

Andi Eka Sakya, Meteorological, Climatological and Geophysical Agency, Indonesia

Christina Hioureas, Foley Hoag

Galuh Rarasanti, Indonesia

Martin Zvachula, Federated States of Micronesia

Dimitri Gutiérrez Aguilar, Peru

Igor Bailen, the Philippines

Roberto Sisilo, Solomon Islands

Participants networking

From L-R: Lagipoiva Cherelle Jackson, International Institute for Sustainable Development - Reporting Services (IISD-RS); Joan Yang, Nauru; Natalie Jones, IISD-RS; and Teya Penniman, IISD-RS

Participants