The Global Oceans Conferences provide the major opportunity for all sectors of the global oceans community-- governments, international agencies, nongovernmental organizations, industry, and scientific groups-- to address the major policy issues affecting the oceans at global, regional, and national levels and to make progress in advancing the global oceans agenda. 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 will be 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 international community will be celebrating 50 years of advancement of ocean science and policy through the Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission, also charting the agenda ahead.

Major Conference Themes

• Oceans, Climate and Security: Major Issues in Mitigation, Adaptation, and Financing
• Integrated Marine and Coastal Policies: Best Practices at National and Regional Levels
• Progress Markers in Achieving Integrated Ecosystem-Based Management by 2010, Including linkages to Freshwater
• Marine Biodiversity (2010) and Networks of Marine Protected Areas (2012), and celebrating the 2010 International Year of Biodiversity
• Next Steps in Building Consensus on Integrated Governance of Marine Areas Beyond National Jurisdiction
• Enhancing United Nations Capacity to Respond to Cross-Cutting Issues in Ocean Governance
• Mobilizing to Support Capacity Development in Developing Countries and Small Island developing States (SIDS)
• Mobilizing the Public and the Private Sector for Global Ocean Stewardship