UNESCO: Scientists gather to discuss the future of oceans
The 5th Global Conference on Oceans, Coasts and Islands is taking place at UNESCO Headquarters this week 3-7 May 2010. Entitled Ensuring Survival, Preserving Life, and Improving Governance, the conference is organized by the Global Forum on Oceans, Coasts and Islands, UNESCO and the government of France.
Focusing on the interaction between climate change and the oceans, marine biodiversity and governance, the conference is expected to attract close to 700 participants from 80 countries, including scientists, representatives of international organizations, nongovernmental organizations and the private sector. A policy, science, and technical symposium will open the event on 3 and 4 May. It will be pursued by roundtable discussions and panel meetings on 5 May, and a policy conference on 6 and 7 May.
Notable participants include Prince Albert II of Monaco; Jean-Louis Borloo, Minister of Ecology, Energy, Sustainable Development and the Sea, France; Bernard Kouchner, Minister of Foreign and European Affairs, France; Monique Barbut, Chief Executive Officer, Global Environment Facility; Maria Damanaki, Commissioner for Maritime Affairs and Fisheries, European Commission; Nguyen Pham Khoi, Minister of Natural Resourcesand Environment, Viet Nam; and Fadel Muhammad, Minister of Marine Affairs and Fisheries, Indonesia.
The conference is held within the framework of the International Year of Biodiversity and of the 50th anniversary of UNESCO Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission.
Like its predecessors, the 5th global ocean conferences will provide world actors concerned by the seas to meet and review major policy, economic, social and cultural issues affecting the oceans. The previous conferences took place in Paris (2001, 2003 and 2006) and Hanoi, Viet Nam (2008). They were launched by the Global Forum on Oceans, Coasts and Islands, established during the World Summit on Sustainable Development in Johannesburg, South Africa, in 2002.