IISD's Summary Report is available online in HTML TEXT PDF

Highlights for Monday, 3 December 2001

The Global Conference on Ocean and Coasts convened today at the headquarters of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO), in Paris, France. The Conference was convened by UNESCO's Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission (IOC) in collaboration with the University of Delaware's Center for the Study of Marine Policy (CSMP) and numerous other intergovernmental organizations (IGOs), governments and non-governmental organizations (NGOs) with an interest in oceans.
Left photo: The dias during the opening plenary (L-R): Kevin Goldstein, Co-Chairs Patricio Bernal and Biliana Cicin-Sain.

The purpose of this conference was to provide an overall assessment of progress achieved on oceans and coasts since the 1992 UN Conference on Environment and Development (UNCED); identify continuing and new challenges; examine cross-cutting issues among various ocean and coastal sectors; consider options for concerted action on outstanding cross-sectoral issues; and provide input to the oceans and coasts agenda of the World Summit on Sustainable Development (WSSD) in September 2002.

OPENING AND WELCOMING ADDRESSES:

Patricio Bernal (left), Executive Secretary, Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission, UNESCO, welcomed participants, noting the attendance of ministers and representatives from intergovernmental organizations, NGOs and citizen's organizations. He stated that the Conference would provide an opportunity to discuss progress and propose a way forward, reflecting a shift from the focus on environment seen in 1992 toward incorporation of a new paradigm emphasizing development.

Gilles Le Chatelier (left), Chef du Cabinet, France, stressed the importance of scientific monitoring of oceans and coasts and noted increased funding for new research technologies to monitor ocean activity. He discussed the role of oceans and seas in the carbon cycle, effects of climate change on agriculture and human health and trends in fish stocks and migration.

Professor Su Jilan, Chair of the Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission (IOC), welcomed participants on behalf of the IOC and described the organization's role in context of the link between oceans and humanity.


Listen to Professor Jilan's welcoming remarks

Dr. Biliana Cicin-Sain, Conference Co-Chair and Director of the Center for the Study of Marine Policy at the University of Delaware, noted that this is not a formal meeting of the world's governance on oceans, but an opportunity for a diverse group of experts to make assessments and recommendations in advance of the WSSD.



Listen to Biliana Cicin-Sain's opening remarks

James Greenwood, President, Global Legislators Organization for a Balanced Environment (GLOBE International), gave a special address on legislative perspectives, highlighting GLOBE's efforts toward harmonizing national legislation and representing both local and global concerns. He identified land-based sources of pollution (LBS) as a priority problem for coastal and marine ecosystems, discussed the need to educate legislators on addressing such problems through national implementation of relevant international treaties, and described ongoing activities in cooperation with UNEP, NOAA and others to implement the GPA through legislation on land use and LBS.  

Listen to Congressman James Greenwoods opening statement.

PANEL 1: MINISTERIAL PERSPECTIVES ON OCEANS AND COASTS AT RIO+10

Chair Seoung-Yong Hong, Vice-Minister, Ministry of Maritime Affairs and Fisheries, Korea, said the 21st century brings the "Blue Revolution," and described symptoms of recent "oceanization" including fisheries development and a paradigm shift in ocean management reflected by the growing number of international agreements on oceans.  

Listen to Chair Seoung_Yong Hong's opening remarks.

Herb Dhaliwal, Minister, Department of Fisheries and Oceans, Canada, presented Canada's vision for coastal management including cooperative arctic planning, EEZ management and establishment of MPAs. He described Canada's ocean strategy and support of international organizations and agreements including the GPA.

Listen to Herb Dhaliwal's opening statement. 

Rokhmin Dahuri, Minister, Ministry of Marine Affairs and Fisheries, Indonesia, contrasted the diverse needs of the high-tech commercial industry with those of traditional fishing communities to illustrate the unique challenges faced by Indonesia. He discussed efforts by the newly-established Ministry of Marine Affairs to define issues, integrate laws and empower local communities, and defined lessons learned in public policy.  

Listen to Rokmin's Dahuri's opening statement.

Árni Mathiesen, Minister, Ministry of Fisheries, Iceland, described the crucial role that fisheries and fish products play in his country.

Francisco Mabjaia, Vice-Minister, Ministry for the Coordination of Environmental Action, Mozambique, described the physical and economic characteristics of Mozambique and some marine and coastal problems faced, including biodiversity loss and deterioration of coastal zones resulting from human activities.

PANEL 2: IMPLEMENTATION OF INTERNATIONAL AGREEMENTS ON OCEANS AND COASTS AND THEIR HARMONIZATION

This panel reviewed and analyzed the implementation status of major international agreements related to oceans and coastal areas since UNCED, including UNCLOS, CBD, UNFCCC, Chapter 17 of Agenda 21, the Rio Principles and the UN Agreements on Straddling and Highly Migratory Fish Stocks. Emphasis was given to means of harmonizing and synergizing the implementation of these agreements.

PANEL 3: PATTERNS AND ISSUES IN DONOR INVESTMENTS IN OCEANS AND COASTS:

This panel addressed investment trends in ocean and coastal management and featured representatives from major donor institutions in analyzing outcomes and emphasizing ideas for achieving effective and sustainable projects. Left photo:panel 3 Chair Indumathie Hewawasa (WORLDBANK)

PHOTOS FROM THE RECEPTION HOSTED BY THE REPUBLIC OF KOREA