International Oceanographic Commission (IOC)
Interventions at 2nd UNCSD Preparatory Committee
(7-8 March 2011, New York, UN Hq)
PART 1: SESSION ON OBJECTIVE OF THE CONFERENCE
I am particularly honored to address this 2nd PrepCOm meeting on behalf of the
Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission of UNESCO, one of the functions of which is
to respond, as a competent international organization, to the requirements deriving from
the United Nations Conference on Environment and Development (UNCED), as well as other
international instruments relevant to marine scientific research, ocean observations and
capacity-building.
At the outset, Mr. Chair, let me point out that the world ocean - its temperature, chemistry,
currents, and life - drive s global systems that make the Earth habitable for humankind. Our
rainwater, drinking water, weather, climate, coastlines, much of our food, and even the
oxygen in the air we breathe, are all ultimately provided and regulated by the sea.
Governance decisions that steer human activity to sustain these ocean resources require a
strong evidence base.
I have to say that I am concerned that the importance of oceans in its contribution to
sustainable development has not yet been sufficiently recognised in this preparatory
process. With 71% of the planet being covered by oce ans, and global market value of marine
& coastal resources & industries representing more than 5% of Global GDP, we just cannot
ignore the role of oceans in the global economy, trade and food and in national security of
countries.
Despite this, m arine ecosystem degradation, biodiversity loss, climate change and marine
pollution continue to be major issues affecting all ocean basins and seas of the world, and
these represent barriers to the establishment of sustainable livelihoods strategies for
communities that depend on the marine environment. Whilst our scientific understanding of
ocean functioning has increased since 2002, thanks in part to an increase of the capacity of
individual nations to monitor and forecast ocean ecosystems, investments in the Global
Ocean Observing System (GOOS) over the past decade has stagnated despite the call made
by the Johannesburg plan of Implementation. Simply sustaining GOOS for the foreseeable
future will be a substantial task that will in all likelihood require the same diverse elements
and myriad funding arrangements that have been cobbled together over the last 20 years.
Efforts made at the international level to foster sustainable marine stewardship also need to
be sustained, but these will all be for nought unless and until governments and stakeholder
groups alike rise to the occasion and address their respective national deficiencies in support
of their own marine environments. That means ensuring that ocean observation,
infrastructure and systems are in place and maintained and that research is adequately
funded; that the infrastructure to distribute ocean information is in place ; that sustainable
marine management practices are fostered, including in areas beyond national jurisdiction ;
and that atmospheric emissions policies take account of potential impacts on the ocean,
particularly in the matter of ocean acidification and warming. Internationally, those same
governments and stakeholder groups must adopt as a premise that sustaining the global
environment remains the ultimate priority, and that national differences must be overcome
in working collectively for the future.
For our part at the IOC, we are particularly keen that there is international support to
finance and assist in capacity building programs for lesser-developed nations in coastal and
ocean management, ocean sciences and ocean technologies. Globally, when it comes to our
oceans, we will only be as strong as our weakest link. There can be no escaping this reality of
marine stewardship.
Thank you
PART 2: GREEN ECONOMY IN THE CONTEXT OF SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT AND
POVERTY ERADICATION
We strongly believe that the concept of green economy can and should be legitimately
applied to ocean issues, and that a first step in this process would consist in the reaffirming
the importance of ecosystem services provide by oceans and how these account for in all
major sectors of economy, and generally to human well fare.
The global market value of marine & coastal resources represent about $3 trillion/year while
the global Non-Market Ecosystem Services (climate, water, soil, nutrients) are about $33
trillion/year, 63% of which derive from marine systems.
Major efforts need to be put forth to improve the environmental and social performance of
sectors that utilize and influence the long-term sustainability of ocean and coastal
ecosystems – shipping, agriculture, fishing, aquaculture, tourism, mining, water &
wastewater management.
We also need to highlight that oceans should play a key role in moving towards a low-carbon
green, or ‘blue -green’ economy in a number of ways. A recent report published by UNEP and
IOC noted that 55% of atmospheric carbon captured by living organisms is captured by
marine organisms. Of this between 50-71% is captured by the ocean's habitats including
mangroves, salt marshes, seagrasses and seaweed, so -called blue forests, which cover less
than 0.5% of the seabed. A combination of reductions in deforestation and restoration of
coastal ecosystem coverage and health could deliver up to 25 percent of the emissions
reductions needed to avoid the most severe impacts of climate change. International efforts
are needed to address the issue of standardisation on carbon monitoring, verification and
economic valuation methodologies for blue forest ecosystem services established, in an
approach similar to the one put in place by the REDD programme (Reducing Emissions from
Deforestation and Forest Degradation in Developing Countries). This could open the way for
exploring the development of a carbon credit market scheme for protecting marine and
coastal carbon sinks.
As the concept of a blue-green economy implies reducing environmental risks, we would like
to also highlight the issue of marine-related hazards and natural disaster preparedness.
Extreme events such as hurricanes and floods, which are predicted to increase in frequency
and intensity due to climate change, cause damage in excess of 20% of GDP in many Small
Island Developing States. A green economy requires therefore the transformation of sectors
and society that are more resilient to these impacts. The need to develop and maintain
global and regional multi-hazard warning systems to reduce vulnerability of coastal
populations is critical. These need to be supported by increased support for developing
nations, and particularly SIDS, for the development of national preparedness strategies and
programmes.
PART 3: INSTITUTIONAL FRAMEWORK FOR SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT
On behalf of the Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission, I would like to try to
respond to the question relating to institutional challenges in promoting sustainable
development and particularly from an ocean perspective.
We strongly believe that a more efficient and accountable institutional framework for
sustainable development needs to address the issue of ocean governance in a
comprehensive way. The oceans are the ultimate global commons, providing essential
ecological services that make life possible on our planet. While the United Nations
Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) provides an integrated legal framework on
which to build sound and effective regulations regarding the different uses of the ocean,
other United Nations specialized agencies and programmes also play roles in various marinerelated
issues. Nevertheless, severe limitations do exist, especially in the monitoring and
enforcement of regulations and in the context of a fundamental weakness of national and
international institutions still being too compartmentalized on a sector-by-sector division of
duties and responsibilities. This leaves little room for integrated policymaking which
addresses cross-cutting issues. As such, Mr Co-Chair, we believe that the issue of ocean
sustainability is not being addressed adequately at the global level, and therefore we need
to be bold in proposing new global mechanisms that will ensure a holistic, cross-sectoral and
participative approach to ocean governance.
We also need to highlight the importance of the UN Regular Process for assessing the state
of the marine environment, including socio-economic aspects, as the main mechanism for
keeping the oceans under permanent review, and for providing an effective science -policy
platform for assessing oceans sustainability. We can’t manage what we don’t measure. To
put it in business parlance, who would try to run a business while having almost no
knowledge of 70% of the assets?
The Regular Process according to the Johannesburg Plan of Implementation should have
been established in 2004. The reality is that it was formally launched by the UN General
Assembly in 2010, and progress towards the development of the first ever global integrated
ocean assessment is slow. It is therefore critical that UN Member States fulfill their
commitments first made in 2002, and provide the Regular Process with adequate resources
for it to complete its first cycle and to deliver its global assessment in 2015, in time for the
CSD review of oceans.
Some of the scientific information and expertise required to build such a global marine
assessment resides within the UN-Oceans’ agencies and programmes, and their respective
constituencies. We believe that the Regular Process provides a unique incentive for interagency
collaboration and cooperation as so many Member States are demanding. These
agencies and programmes also have the mandate and technical capacity in their respective
areas to organize and sustain a broad capacity building and technology transfer effort to
accompany the Regular Process, and to ensure the full participation of all UN Member
States, especially developing countries.
(7-8 March 2011, New York, UN Hq)
PART 1: SESSION ON OBJECTIVE OF THE CONFERENCE
I am particularly honored to address this 2nd PrepCOm meeting on behalf of the
Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission of UNESCO, one of the functions of which is
to respond, as a competent international organization, to the requirements deriving from
the United Nations Conference on Environment and Development (UNCED), as well as other
international instruments relevant to marine scientific research, ocean observations and
capacity-building.
At the outset, Mr. Chair, let me point out that the world ocean - its temperature, chemistry,
currents, and life - drive s global systems that make the Earth habitable for humankind. Our
rainwater, drinking water, weather, climate, coastlines, much of our food, and even the
oxygen in the air we breathe, are all ultimately provided and regulated by the sea.
Governance decisions that steer human activity to sustain these ocean resources require a
strong evidence base.
I have to say that I am concerned that the importance of oceans in its contribution to
sustainable development has not yet been sufficiently recognised in this preparatory
process. With 71% of the planet being covered by oce ans, and global market value of marine
& coastal resources & industries representing more than 5% of Global GDP, we just cannot
ignore the role of oceans in the global economy, trade and food and in national security of
countries.
Despite this, m arine ecosystem degradation, biodiversity loss, climate change and marine
pollution continue to be major issues affecting all ocean basins and seas of the world, and
these represent barriers to the establishment of sustainable livelihoods strategies for
communities that depend on the marine environment. Whilst our scientific understanding of
ocean functioning has increased since 2002, thanks in part to an increase of the capacity of
individual nations to monitor and forecast ocean ecosystems, investments in the Global
Ocean Observing System (GOOS) over the past decade has stagnated despite the call made
by the Johannesburg plan of Implementation. Simply sustaining GOOS for the foreseeable
future will be a substantial task that will in all likelihood require the same diverse elements
and myriad funding arrangements that have been cobbled together over the last 20 years.
Efforts made at the international level to foster sustainable marine stewardship also need to
be sustained, but these will all be for nought unless and until governments and stakeholder
groups alike rise to the occasion and address their respective national deficiencies in support
of their own marine environments. That means ensuring that ocean observation,
infrastructure and systems are in place and maintained and that research is adequately
funded; that the infrastructure to distribute ocean information is in place ; that sustainable
marine management practices are fostered, including in areas beyond national jurisdiction ;
and that atmospheric emissions policies take account of potential impacts on the ocean,
particularly in the matter of ocean acidification and warming. Internationally, those same
governments and stakeholder groups must adopt as a premise that sustaining the global
environment remains the ultimate priority, and that national differences must be overcome
in working collectively for the future.
For our part at the IOC, we are particularly keen that there is international support to
finance and assist in capacity building programs for lesser-developed nations in coastal and
ocean management, ocean sciences and ocean technologies. Globally, when it comes to our
oceans, we will only be as strong as our weakest link. There can be no escaping this reality of
marine stewardship.
Thank you
PART 2: GREEN ECONOMY IN THE CONTEXT OF SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT AND
POVERTY ERADICATION
We strongly believe that the concept of green economy can and should be legitimately
applied to ocean issues, and that a first step in this process would consist in the reaffirming
the importance of ecosystem services provide by oceans and how these account for in all
major sectors of economy, and generally to human well fare.
The global market value of marine & coastal resources represent about $3 trillion/year while
the global Non-Market Ecosystem Services (climate, water, soil, nutrients) are about $33
trillion/year, 63% of which derive from marine systems.
Major efforts need to be put forth to improve the environmental and social performance of
sectors that utilize and influence the long-term sustainability of ocean and coastal
ecosystems – shipping, agriculture, fishing, aquaculture, tourism, mining, water &
wastewater management.
We also need to highlight that oceans should play a key role in moving towards a low-carbon
green, or ‘blue -green’ economy in a number of ways. A recent report published by UNEP and
IOC noted that 55% of atmospheric carbon captured by living organisms is captured by
marine organisms. Of this between 50-71% is captured by the ocean's habitats including
mangroves, salt marshes, seagrasses and seaweed, so -called blue forests, which cover less
than 0.5% of the seabed. A combination of reductions in deforestation and restoration of
coastal ecosystem coverage and health could deliver up to 25 percent of the emissions
reductions needed to avoid the most severe impacts of climate change. International efforts
are needed to address the issue of standardisation on carbon monitoring, verification and
economic valuation methodologies for blue forest ecosystem services established, in an
approach similar to the one put in place by the REDD programme (Reducing Emissions from
Deforestation and Forest Degradation in Developing Countries). This could open the way for
exploring the development of a carbon credit market scheme for protecting marine and
coastal carbon sinks.
As the concept of a blue-green economy implies reducing environmental risks, we would like
to also highlight the issue of marine-related hazards and natural disaster preparedness.
Extreme events such as hurricanes and floods, which are predicted to increase in frequency
and intensity due to climate change, cause damage in excess of 20% of GDP in many Small
Island Developing States. A green economy requires therefore the transformation of sectors
and society that are more resilient to these impacts. The need to develop and maintain
global and regional multi-hazard warning systems to reduce vulnerability of coastal
populations is critical. These need to be supported by increased support for developing
nations, and particularly SIDS, for the development of national preparedness strategies and
programmes.
PART 3: INSTITUTIONAL FRAMEWORK FOR SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT
On behalf of the Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission, I would like to try to
respond to the question relating to institutional challenges in promoting sustainable
development and particularly from an ocean perspective.
We strongly believe that a more efficient and accountable institutional framework for
sustainable development needs to address the issue of ocean governance in a
comprehensive way. The oceans are the ultimate global commons, providing essential
ecological services that make life possible on our planet. While the United Nations
Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) provides an integrated legal framework on
which to build sound and effective regulations regarding the different uses of the ocean,
other United Nations specialized agencies and programmes also play roles in various marinerelated
issues. Nevertheless, severe limitations do exist, especially in the monitoring and
enforcement of regulations and in the context of a fundamental weakness of national and
international institutions still being too compartmentalized on a sector-by-sector division of
duties and responsibilities. This leaves little room for integrated policymaking which
addresses cross-cutting issues. As such, Mr Co-Chair, we believe that the issue of ocean
sustainability is not being addressed adequately at the global level, and therefore we need
to be bold in proposing new global mechanisms that will ensure a holistic, cross-sectoral and
participative approach to ocean governance.
We also need to highlight the importance of the UN Regular Process for assessing the state
of the marine environment, including socio-economic aspects, as the main mechanism for
keeping the oceans under permanent review, and for providing an effective science -policy
platform for assessing oceans sustainability. We can’t manage what we don’t measure. To
put it in business parlance, who would try to run a business while having almost no
knowledge of 70% of the assets?
The Regular Process according to the Johannesburg Plan of Implementation should have
been established in 2004. The reality is that it was formally launched by the UN General
Assembly in 2010, and progress towards the development of the first ever global integrated
ocean assessment is slow. It is therefore critical that UN Member States fulfill their
commitments first made in 2002, and provide the Regular Process with adequate resources
for it to complete its first cycle and to deliver its global assessment in 2015, in time for the
CSD review of oceans.
Some of the scientific information and expertise required to build such a global marine
assessment resides within the UN-Oceans’ agencies and programmes, and their respective
constituencies. We believe that the Regular Process provides a unique incentive for interagency
collaboration and cooperation as so many Member States are demanding. These
agencies and programmes also have the mandate and technical capacity in their respective
areas to organize and sustain a broad capacity building and technology transfer effort to
accompany the Regular Process, and to ensure the full participation of all UN Member
States, especially developing countries.