The 5th Global Oceans Conference will specifically address 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 frontline of climate changes. Thus, it is imperative that the importance of marine and freshwater ecosystems and resources and their vulnerability to climate change are emphasized and that integrated ecosystem-based principles and approaches be fully incorporated in the shared vision for long-term cooperative action and in the adaptation, mitigation, financing, and technology strategies and measures. 

Major conference themes:

• Ensuring Survival: Oceans, Climate and Security --Major Issues in Mitigation, Adaptation, and Financing in the Post-Copenhagen Climate Regime.
• 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.
• Improving Governance: Achieving Integrated, Ecosystem-Based Ocean and Coastal Management (2010 global goal) at National and Regional Levels and in Areas Beyond National Jurisdiction.

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 Conference will also discuss innovative, private sector solutions to the challenges of climate change.

• The international community will be 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 will be celebrating 50 years of advancement of ocean science and policy through the Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission, also charting the agenda ahead.

Related links:
::  Global Forum on Oceans, Coasts, and Islands (website)
::  Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission (IOC)