Ocean Policy Research Institute of the Sasakawa Peace Foundation
Full version of STATEMENT BY the Ocean Policy Research Institute of the Sasakawa Peace Foundation Delivered by Keita Furukawa as part of the Ocean Conference Preparatory Meeting, New York, February 15-16 2017
Thank you Mr. Co-facilitator, Good Morning Ladies and Gentlemen,
We are the Ocean Policy Research Institute of the Sasakawa Peace Foundation, a largest NGO Think and Do tank designated to ocean governance and ocean policy in Japan supported by the Nippon Foundation.
Together with Global Ocean Forum, IOC/UNESCO, MOF Gov. of Grenada, MOF Gov. of Seychelles and Oceano Azul Foundation, we had a side-event “Ocean and Climate and Blue Economy” on 15 Feb. 13:15-14:30 with great success.
We would like to intervene to highlight the importance of capacity building to overarch ocean issues and climate change in the “call for action”.
We would like to rise three points to be included in the “call for action” as follows;
Firstly, “need of long-term commitment on Networking”.
The World Maritime University (WMU) is established in Malmo, Sweden in 1983 by the IMO to serve high-level knowledge there about Maritime Education, Marine Environment, Ocean Governance, etc to developing countries.
Our Foundation together with the Nippon Foundation have provided a scholarship fund since 1987. To date, we have more than 600 fellows from 70 countries. The point is a strong ownership of the Sasakawa fellows by themselves. After graduating from WMU, the fellows take active leadership in maritime affairs in their home nation with backup the Sasakawa fellows’ alumni network. This global network of professionals can be a firm base of international cooperation.
Secondly, “need of sound regional platform based on science”.
In Northern Western side of the Pacific, effect of OA is coming from north since dissolution of CO2 is active in low temperature. Scientists are predicting, northern limit of reef corals’ habitation will shift down to Southern part of Japan in 2080s. Furthermore, ocean temperature rise due to global warming bring up Southern limit of reef corals’ habitation toward the area in 2060s. It will affect on both tourism and fisheries in Japan seriously.
These sensational interpretations should be delivered to public very carefully. Without good data mining to show the truth and making good explanation, we can trigger an unnecessary displacement or confusion to local residence and industries. Since the issues are so complicated, not only the networking of existing observation network to compile our knowledge, but also good action platform should be prepared.
“The Marine Crisis Watch and Action” is designed and in preparation now for rising Public and Political Awareness.
Thirdly, “need of holistic approach with collaboration”.
The erosion of the coasts caused by SLR, increasing storm surges and land use change due to Climate Change. Protect island coastal lines from erosion is a difficult task. It is not enough to construct high barrier to the rising tide. It is needed to be matched a Good management strategies, sustainable eco-engineering and legal toolboxes for implementation. We need a good platform of collaboration to integrate these tools to implement.
We have launched a voluntary international collaboration network “The Islands and Oceans Net” at SIDS2014 held in Samoa to coordinating and initiating practical action programs together with SIDS countries.
By that, we would like to reiterate the importance of broad and active participation at all levels for customizing the global “call for action” to the regional, national and local implementation of Capacity Building.
I thank you for the opportunity, Mr. co-facilitator.
Thank you Mr. Co-facilitator, Good Morning Ladies and Gentlemen,
We are the Ocean Policy Research Institute of the Sasakawa Peace Foundation, a largest NGO Think and Do tank designated to ocean governance and ocean policy in Japan supported by the Nippon Foundation.
Together with Global Ocean Forum, IOC/UNESCO, MOF Gov. of Grenada, MOF Gov. of Seychelles and Oceano Azul Foundation, we had a side-event “Ocean and Climate and Blue Economy” on 15 Feb. 13:15-14:30 with great success.
We would like to intervene to highlight the importance of capacity building to overarch ocean issues and climate change in the “call for action”.
We would like to rise three points to be included in the “call for action” as follows;
Firstly, “need of long-term commitment on Networking”.
The World Maritime University (WMU) is established in Malmo, Sweden in 1983 by the IMO to serve high-level knowledge there about Maritime Education, Marine Environment, Ocean Governance, etc to developing countries.
Our Foundation together with the Nippon Foundation have provided a scholarship fund since 1987. To date, we have more than 600 fellows from 70 countries. The point is a strong ownership of the Sasakawa fellows by themselves. After graduating from WMU, the fellows take active leadership in maritime affairs in their home nation with backup the Sasakawa fellows’ alumni network. This global network of professionals can be a firm base of international cooperation.
Secondly, “need of sound regional platform based on science”.
In Northern Western side of the Pacific, effect of OA is coming from north since dissolution of CO2 is active in low temperature. Scientists are predicting, northern limit of reef corals’ habitation will shift down to Southern part of Japan in 2080s. Furthermore, ocean temperature rise due to global warming bring up Southern limit of reef corals’ habitation toward the area in 2060s. It will affect on both tourism and fisheries in Japan seriously.
These sensational interpretations should be delivered to public very carefully. Without good data mining to show the truth and making good explanation, we can trigger an unnecessary displacement or confusion to local residence and industries. Since the issues are so complicated, not only the networking of existing observation network to compile our knowledge, but also good action platform should be prepared.
“The Marine Crisis Watch and Action” is designed and in preparation now for rising Public and Political Awareness.
Thirdly, “need of holistic approach with collaboration”.
The erosion of the coasts caused by SLR, increasing storm surges and land use change due to Climate Change. Protect island coastal lines from erosion is a difficult task. It is not enough to construct high barrier to the rising tide. It is needed to be matched a Good management strategies, sustainable eco-engineering and legal toolboxes for implementation. We need a good platform of collaboration to integrate these tools to implement.
We have launched a voluntary international collaboration network “The Islands and Oceans Net” at SIDS2014 held in Samoa to coordinating and initiating practical action programs together with SIDS countries.
By that, we would like to reiterate the importance of broad and active participation at all levels for customizing the global “call for action” to the regional, national and local implementation of Capacity Building.
I thank you for the opportunity, Mr. co-facilitator.