Global Conference on Oceans, Coasts, and Islands: Mobilizing for Implementation of the Commitments Made at the 2002 World Summit on Sustainable Development on Oceans, Coasts, and Small Island Developing States December 10-14, 2003, UNESCO, Paris, France
Following the WSSD, the Global Forum organized the second international conference, the Global Conference on Oceans, Coasts, and Islands: Mobilizing for Implementation of the Commitments Made at the 2002 World Summit on Sustainable Development on Oceans, Coasts, and Small Island Developing States, held on December 10-14, 2003 at UNESCO, Paris to spur rapid initial implementation of the WSSD oceans commitments. The Conference involved 223 participants from 48 countries, representing intergovernmental organizations, government organizations, academic and research institutions, non-government organizations, and private sector organizations and individuals.
The conference reviewed what had been done to date in implementing the WSSD commitments and to catalyze action on WSSD implementation through collaboration among governments, international organizations, non-governmental organizations, and the private sector. The conference focused attention on early successful efforts to put into effect several of the WSSD goals with the intent of adaptation and replication. The conference report reviewed in some detail progress achieved (or lack thereof) on each of the WSSD ocean goals up to May 2004 (the publication date for the report) pointing out areas of good early success as well as areas where little action had taken place. The conference was useful in spurring the process of WSSD implementation. This meeting proved especially important because the UN Commission on Sustainable Development is not scheduled to examine progress on the oceans and coasts targets of the WSSD until 2014.
2003 Conference Report
