Fourth Global Conference on Oceans, Coasts and Islands

Hanoi, Vietnam – Key ocean-oriented governments, nongovernmental organizations, and industry are being invited, as well, to play a pivotal role in the organization of the Conference and the dissemination of its outputs.

The 4th Global Conference on Oceans, Coasts, and Islands will mobilize high-level policy attention, topical working groups, analytical papers, and other contributions to provide a review of progress achieved (or lack thereof) in advancing ecosystem management and integrated coastal and ocean management by 2010 at national and regional (transboundary) levels, and in the 64% of the ocean beyond national jurisdiction, and on the allied goals of reducing marine biodiversity loss by 2010 and of establishing networks of marine protected areas by 2012 (goals adopted by the world's political leaders at the 2002 World Summit on Sustainable Development). These goals are considered in the context of climate change, which, as indicated in the 2007 report of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), will have profound effects on ecosystems and coastal populations around the world.

The conference will be held in Hanoi, Vietnam. The second fastest-growing economy in Asia, Vietnam has made significant strides in coastal and marine management in recent years through the development of integrated coastal management, marine protected areas, and a national ocean strategy. Vietnam was recently chosen as the first “pilot” country in the UN's effort to unify the work of its agencies at the national level through its “One UN” pilot program, the result of the High-Level Panel on UN System-wide Coherence in areas of Development, Humanitarian Assistance and the Environment (enhanced UN coherence was also adopted as a goal of the world's political leaders at the World Summit on Sustainable Development).

The Global Conference is organized by the Global Forum on Oceans, Coasts, and Islands, and by the Government of Vietnam, with the leadership of the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development (MARD) – Fisheries, and with leadership roles by a number of organizations. Key ocean-oriented governments, nongovernmental organizations, and industry are being invited, as well, to play a pivotal role in the organization of the Conference and the dissemination of its outputs. The Global Forum Steering Committee, responsible for organizing the conference, may be found at the end of this announcement.

CONFERENCE THEMES

The Conference will focus on three major themes related to achieving ecosystem management and integrated coastal and ocean management at national and regional levels, and in areas beyond national jurisdiction, as follows:

Theme 1. Achieving Ecosystem management and integrated coastal and ocean management by 2010
Cross-Cutting Issues
Large Marine Ecosystems
Marine Biodiversity and Networks of Marine Protected Areas
Linking the Management of Freshwater, Oceans, and Coasts
Fisheries and Aquaculture-Sustainability and Governance
Enhancing Ocean Use Access Agreements in the Exclusive Economic Zones (EEZs) of Developing Nations

Maritime Transportation

Theme 2. Climate, Oceans, and Security: Addressing Impacts in Vulnerable Ecosystems and in Vulnerable Coastal Communities, especially in Small Island Developing States (SIDS)
Cross-Cutting Issues– i) Vulnerable Communities (Adaptation, Environmental Refugees, Public Health); ii) Vulnerable Ecosystems (Natural Disasters, Sea Level Rise, Ocean Acidification, Ocean Warming)

Small Island Developing States and the Mauritius Strategy

Theme 3. Addressing the Governance of Marine Ecosystems and Uses in Areas Beyond the Limits of National Jurisdiction
Cross-Cutting Issues– i) Overall Governance Issues; ii) Ecosystems and Uses (Marine Biodiversity, Fisheries, Bioprospecting, Deep Seabed Mining, Tourism, Maritime Transportation)
Overarching, Cross-cutting Issues
Capacity Development
Marine Ecosystem Productivity/Services
Indicators for Progress
Compliance and Enforcement
Public Education/Outreach/Media
CONFERENCE ORGANIZERS
Global Forum on Oceans, Coasts, and Islands
Government of Vietnam (Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, national focal point)
Global Environment Facility
GEF International Waters Learning Exchange and Resource Network (IWLEARN)
Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission, UNESCO
Gerard J. Mangone Center for Marine Policy, University of Delaware
World Ocean Network
International Coastal and Ocean Organization
Partnerships in Environmental Management for the Seas of East Asia (PEMSEA)
The Nippon Foundation, Japan
U.S. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
Ministry of Maritime Affairs and Fisheries, Republic of Korea
Ministry of Marine Affairs and Fisheries, Indonesia
Department of Fisheries and Oceans, Canada
KEY CONFERENCE FEATURES
The Global Conference will feature:
Presentations by high-level officials from around the world; List of Invited High-Level and Other Eminent Persons

Topical panels bringing together experts from governments, international agencies, nongovernmental organizations, scientists, and the private sector, and featuring stage-setting analytical papers;

Structured Concurrent Dialogue Sessions on specific topics on which the conference is expected to achieve progress;

Poster presentations and exhibits; and

Opportunities for special groups and communities of interest to advance particular aspects of the global oceans agenda in pre-conference meetings and side events.

The intent is to bring carefully crafted analyses, high-level perspectives, and perspectives from all ocean sectors and areas of the world to focus on tangible next steps in advancing ecosystem management by 2010 and examine the current trends in integrated coastal and ocean management. Fifteen Global Forum Working Groups, organized according to the themes noted above, will report their findings and policy recommendations at the Global Conference. The conference will maximize opportunities for meaningful dialogue among the expert participants through the facilitation of the Concurrent Dialogue Sessions and discussions in special workshops and side events.

INQUIRIES ABOUT THE CONFERENCE

For general conference inquiries, please contact:
Ms. Shelby M. Hockenberry
Gerard J. Mangone Center for Marine Policy
University of Delaware
smhocken@udel.edu
Tel. +1-302-831-8086
Fax: +1-302-831-3668
For information regarding the conference program and organization of pre-conference meetings and side events, please contact:
Dr. Miriam C. Balgos
Gerard J. Mangone Center for Marine Policy
University of Delaware
mbalgos@udel.edu
Tel. +1-302-831-8086
Fax: +1-302-831-3668
Mr. Julian Barbiere
Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission (IOC)
United Nations Educational, Scientific & Cultural Organization (UNESCO)
1, rue Miollis
Paris Cedex 15 75732
France
j.barbiere@unesco.org
Tel: 33-1-45-68-4045
Fax: 33-1-45-68-5812

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