Publisher : Asian Development Bank
Place of publication :
Publication year : 2009
Thematic : Initiatives
Language : English
Note
Over 3,000 people from 74 countries the world over converged in Manado, North Sulawesi in May 2009 to attend the World Ocean Conference 2009 (WOC 2009) and discuss current marine and ocean issues, particularly as they relate to climate change, to achieve international agreement and draft an adaptive strategy for the sustainable use of marine resources for the benefit of humanity. Hosted by the Government of Indonesia, WOC 2009 had twin goals: To increase the understanding of participants regarding climate change and its implications on the social and economic welfare of coastal communities and on the ecology of marine and coastal zones, the role of the oceans in the behavior of global climate change phenomena, and the need for measures to mitigate, or adapt to, the impacts of climate change. To forge a strong commitment from the global community to improve marine and coastal resource management as a key component of the response to climate change. WOC 2009 consisted of many events held in parallel over a 4-day period (11–14 May 2009), including an intergovernmental Senior Officials Meeting, an International Ocean Science and Technology symposium, an International Industry Exhibition, Global Ocean Policy Day and its premeetings, two Asian Development Bank seminars on coastal zone management, and a workshop on climate change adaptation, among others (see Appendix 1 for the conference program). The conference culminated with the historic Coral Triangle Initiative (CTI) Leaders Summit on the fifth day (15 May 2009), which was attended by the heads of state of the Six Coral Triangle countries (CT6): Indonesia, Malaysia, Papua New Guinea, the Philippines, Solomon Islands, and Timor-Leste. The WOC intergovernmental meetings, attended by senior government officials, fisheries ministers, and high-level officers from some 74 countries and 12 international organizations, were capped by the signing of the Manado Ocean Declaration by heads of delegation from the participating countries. The declaration is an expression of commitment by the countries to safeguard the functions of the oceans in climate change adaptation and mitigation for the benefit of present and future generations. The International Symposium on Ocean Science, Technology, and Policy had more than 2,000 registered participants from academia, research institutions, and public and private sector entities, as well as international and national nongovernment organizations from many countries. The symposium consisted of 31 sessions, at which 374 technical papers and 158 posters were presented. The Global Ocean Policy Day was designed as an opportunity for multistakeholder dialogue on the importance of the oceans in climate change, mitigation and adaptation strategies, and financing issues. The CTI events consisted of a series of Preparatory Committee (PrepCom) meetings among the CT6 representatives and their development partners, leading up to the CTI Leaders Summit on the morning of 15 May 2009. At the summit, the CT6 heads of state signed the CTI Leaders Declaration, which officially launched the CTI, and adopted the Regional Plan of Action, aimed at conserving the Coral Triangle’s extraordinary marine and coastal resources. The last major event in the weeklong activities was the CTI Second Partnership Dialogue, held on the afternoon of 15 May 2009, where CT6 officials expressed their priorities for financial and technical support from the development partners and their views on how such support could best be coordinated and aligned with CTI implementation efforts. The development partners, as well as other potential partner organizations, took turns in congratulating the CT6 for their bold, groundbreaking, collaborative endeavor, expressing their commitment to providing the required support to ensure the success of the CTI. This report, instead of simply presenting a summary of the WOC 2009 proceedings, draws the reader’s attention to the key issues raised and recommendations put forward by speakers at the main events, particularly those related to the WOC theme—The Oceans and Climate Change. The report is based on daily bulletins prepared by the International Institute for Sustainable Development, whose services were engaged by Indonesia’s Ministry of Marine Affairs and Fisheries for this purpose, and on the papers presented at the main WOC 2009 events, particularly the policy briefs prepared by the Global Forum on Oceans, Coasts, and Islands, as well as presentations by panel discussants during the Global Ocean Policy Day and by speakers at the international symposium.
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Keywords : Cacatua goffiniana
Encoded by : Mae Belen Llanza
