The Ocean Policy Summit

The Ocean Policy Summit

16 October 2005 - 18 October 2005

Source: International Institute for Sustainable Development The Ocean Policy Summit 2005 took place in Lisbon, Portugal from 11-13 October 2005. The event brought together 218 participants from 53 countries, with governments, regional organizations, UN agencies, academia, non-governmental organizations and industry represented. It was organized by the International Ocean Governance Network with support from the Nippon Foundation, the Global Forum on Oceans, Coasts, and Islands, the Portuguese Intersectoral Ocean Commission, Portugal’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Port Authority of Lisbon, the International Coastal and Ocean Organization, the Gerard J. Mangone Center for Marine Policy at the University of Delaware, and the Marine and Environmental Law Institute at Dalhousie University. The Summit took as its theme, “Integrated Ocean Policy: National and Regional Experiences, Prospects and Emerging Practices.” Delegates met for eight panel discussions on various aspects of integrated ocean policy, including: the growing interest in integrated national and regional ocean policies; learning lessons from countries that have made the most progress to date; achieving cross-sectoral harmonization of ocean use and agencies; identifying principles for governance; and implementing an integrated policy and factoring in operational and financial considerations. In addition to the formal panel discussions, working groups considered key questions and the Summit’s outcomes. There were also special presentations on the status of the world’s exclusive economic zones under the Law of the Sea and on Marine Protected Areas, as well as briefings on a number of recent meetings. In addition, several pre-conference gatherings were held on 10 October, and a post-conference ocean strategy workshop convened on 14 October. The discussions and ideas generated at the Ocean Policy Summit 2005 are expected to provide further momentum for integrated oceans management at the international, regional and national levels.

Continental coverage

Africa; America North and Central; America South; Asia; Europe;