2010 is a year of major importance for the world’s oceans. It is the year when:

• Nations around the world are expected to have met major international

  targets set by the world’s heads of state at the 2002 World Summit on

  Sustainable Development:

 —applying integrated, ecosystem-based approaches to the governance

     of  oceans and coasts
 

 —halting biodiversity loss by 2010

• The international community has been addressing the challenges and

  opportunities posed by the emerging international consensus on a new

  climate regime (as developed through the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change, Copenhagen,

  December 2009). Mitigation, adaptation, and financing issues will profoundly affect oceans, coasts, and

  Small Island States which are at the front line of climate changes. The Conference has also discussed

  innovative, private sector solutions to the challenges of climate change.

• The international community has been considering the progress made towards the 2010 goal of “a

  significant reduction of the current rate of biodiversity loss at global, regional, and national levels as a

  contribution to poverty alleviation and to the benefit of all life on Earth” and raising awareness of the

  importance of biodiversity during the International Year of Biodiversity.

• The international community has been celebrating 50 years of advancement of ocean science and policy

  through the Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission, also charting the agenda ahead.

Major Conference Themes

There are three major conference themes, which are interlinked:

1. ENSURING SURVIVAL: Oceans, Climate and Security --Major Issues in Mitigation, Adaptation,

   and Financing in the Post-Copenhagen Climate Regime.

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.

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.

Conference Hosts

The 5th Global Ocean Conference was hosted by the government of France and the Intergovernmental Oceanographic commission, UNESCO.

Examples of topics to be addressed at the Global Conference:

Climate and Oceans

• 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

Biodiversity and Oceans

• 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 of MPAs
• 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

Governance and Oceans

• 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 ofMarine 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

Conference Participants

•    High-level national officials concerned with oceans and climate
•    United Nations officials
•    Leaders of Small Island Developing States
•    Ocean parliamentarians concerned with ocean law-making
•    Heads of regional ocean entities
•    Leaders of international Non-Governmental Organizations
•    Ocean and coastal policy experts
•    Business and industry leaders
•    Ocean scientists
•    Leaders of museums and aquaria
•    Media

Conference Venue

The Conference was held at the UNESCO Headquarters (at 7 Place de Fontenoy, and at 1 rue Miollis, Paris, France), with the Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission serving as host.

Conference Coverage

The Global Forum, the World Ocean Network and the World Ocean Observatory have created a special GOC2010 website and YouTube channel designed specifically to inform audiences across the world about the context and work of the Global Forum using rich media.

http://goc2010.org/

The International Institute for Sustainable Development- Reporting Services provided daily coverage of the conference proceedings and the Earth Negotiations Bulletin Summary of the Global Oceans Conference is available online.

http://www.iisd.ca/ymb/oceans/goc5/

Language of Conference

The languages of the Conference were English and French (for the deliberations on May 5, 6, and 7).