5th Global Conference on Oceans, Coasts, and Islands: Ensuring Survival, Preserving Life, Improving Governance

Conference themes

The Conference focuses on three interlinked themes:

1. ENSURING SURVIVAL: Oceans, Climate and Secu­rity­­ and Major Issues in Mitigation, Adaptation, and Financing in the Post-­Copenhagen Climate Regime

This theme explores practical issues in adaptation, mitigation, and financing that national leaders will need to face following the conclusion of the new climate agreement. This includes the following topics:

• Implications of the New Climate Regime: Moving Forward From Copenhagen

• Implications of the New Climate Regime for SIDS and Developing Countries

• Impacts of Climate Change on the Polar Regions

   

   

  Mitigation

  • Renewable Energy Using the Oceans: Wind Power

  • Renewable Energy Using the Oceans: Hydrokinetics

  • Emerging Renewable Energy Technologies Using the Oceans

  • Mitigation Options Using the Ocean:

  • Carbon Capture and Storage

  • Ocean Fertilization

  • Curbing Emissions from Ships

  • Marine Spatial Planning and its Role in Climate Change Mitigation Efforts

   

  Adaptation

  • Adaptation Responses to Sea Level Rise

  • Climate-Induced Population Movements

  • Adaptation and Marine and Coastal Hazards

  • Adaptation, Disaster Risk Planning, and the Role of the Insurance Industry

  • The Role of Ecosystem-Based Management in Adaptation

  • Ensuring Resilience of Coastal and Marine Ecosystems

  • Implementation of Adaptation Measures

   

  Financing

  • Climate Change and Threats to Food Security

  • New Modes of Financing Under the Copenhagen Agreement

  • Costs of Adaptation: Are the Funds Sufficient?

  • Private Sector Financing Initiatives

   

  Capacity Development and Technology Exchange

   

  Educating the Public and Promoting Civil Society Involvement

   

  The Economics of Climate Change:

  • Impacts on Fisheries and Aquaculture

  • Impacts on Tourism

  • Costs of Population Relocation

  • Impacts on Coastal Infrastructure

  • Impacts on Human Health

   

  2. PRESERVING LIFE: Marine Biodiversity (2010 global goal), Networks of Marine Protected Areas (2012 global goal), and Celebrating the 2010 Inter­national Year of Biodiversity, Toward Nagoya 2010 -- ­­ Convention on Biological Diversity Conference of the Parties (COP­-10)

   

  This theme addresses practical steps which national leaders can take, both at national and international levels, to advance global goals of preserving marine biodiversity and establishing networks of marine protected areas to preserve marine life and to counter climate change effects. This includes the following topics:

  • Where Are We Now? Overview of Ongoing Marine Biodiversity Assessments

  • Marine Biodiversity and the Importance of Networks of Marine Protected Areas (MPAs)

  • Strategy for Nagoya 2010: National Level and Areas Beyond National Jurisdiction

  • Building Resilience: The Importance of Networks of MPAs

  • Deep Sea Biodiversity and the Impacts of Climate Change

  • Developing High Seas Networks of MPAs

  • Sustainable Stewardship of Marine Resources: Success Stories and Challenges

  • Working with Stakeholders during MPA Development and Implementation

   

  • Methodologies in Assessing the Success of Implementation ofMPAs

  • Linking the Social and Economic Elements of Marine Biodiversity Conservation

  • Mobilizing the Public and Private Sector for Global Ocean Stewardship

  • Capacity Building Efforts to Improve Marine Biodiversity Conservation in Developing Countries and SIDS

   

  3. IMPROVING GOVERNANCE: Achieving Integrated, Ecosystem­-Based Ocean and Coastal Management (2010 global goal) at National and Regional Levels and in Areas Beyond National Jurisdiction

   

   

  This theme assesses past and current effort to achieve integrated, ecosystem-based ocean and coastal management and details next steps which national leaders and the international oceans community should take to further propel achievement of this global goal, taking into account impacts of climate change. This includes the following topics:

  • Reviewing and Ranking Threats to the World’s Oceans

  • Consensus on Basic Principles and Approaches to EBM/ICM

  • Best Practices at National and Regional Levels

  • Progress Markers in Achieving Integrated Ecosystem-Based Management by 2010

  • Tools for Marine Spatial Planning

  • Monitoring and Modeling Efforts

  • Global Reporting and Assessment of Marine Environment (GRAME)

  • Approaches and Tools for Integrated Governance of Marine Areas Beyond National Jurisdiction

  • Integrated Assessment/Area-Wide Environmental Impact Assessments in Marine Areas Beyond National Jurisdiction

  • Regional Experimentation in Marine Areas Beyond National Jurisdiction

  • Mobilizing to Support Capacity Development of EBM/ICM in Developing Countries and Small Island Developing States

  • Linking Freshwater and Oceans

  • Improving Fisheries Management as a Pillar of EBM/ICM