Fourth Global Conference on Oceans, Coasts, and Islands

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).

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

1. Coordinating Group on Theme 1: Cross-Cutting Issues
2. Large Marine Ecosystems
3. Marine Biodiversity and Networks of Marine Protected Areas
4. Linking the Management of Freshwater, Oceans, and Coasts
5. Small Island Developing States (SIDS) and Implementation of the Mauritius International Strategy
6. Fisheries and Aquaculture-Sustainability and Governance
7. Enhancing Ocean Use Access Agreements in the Exclusive Economic Zones (EEZs) of Developing Nations
8. Maritime Transportation
9. Indicators for Ecosystem Management and Integrated Coastal and Ocean Management
10. Compliance and Enforcement
11. Capacity Development
12. Public Education and Outreach

Theme 2. Climate, Oceans, and Security: Addressing Impacts in Vulnerable Ecosystems and in Vulnerable Coastal Communities

Theme 3. Addressing the Governance of Marine Ecosystems and Uses in Areas Beyond the Limits of National Jurisdiction