7 May 2010: The Fifth Global Conference on Oceans, Coasts and Islands, which took place in Paris, France, from 3-7 May 2010, was organized around three thematic sessions: ensuring survival; preserving life; and improving governance. The theme ensuring survival was sub-titled “Oceans, Climate and Security – Major Issues in Mitigation, Adaptation, and Financing in the Post-Copenhagen Climate Regime.”
The event, which convened at the headquarters of the UN Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO), was organized by the Global Forum on Oceans, Coasts, and Islands, and co-hosted by the Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission (IOC), UNESCO, and the Government of France. It brought together over 850 participants from 80 countries (63% of which were from developing countries and small island developing States (SIDS)), including leaders from governments, UN and other international agencies, NGOs, industry, oceans donors, organized science groups, and networks of museums and aquariums.
A Policy, Science and Technical Symposium was held on the first two days of the Conference, during which participants attended plenary and concurrent panels that explored the three major themes of the Conference. On Wednesday, seven Global Forum Working Groups met throughout the day, including one on “Climate, Oceans and Security,” to discuss specific recommendations for national and international decision makers to advance the global oceans agenda.
The last two days of the Conference were dedicated to a Policy Conference on “Charting the Way Ahead,” which featured plenary panels on the major conference themes, including on: “Moving Forward from the Copenhagen Accord: Implications for Oceans, Coasts, and Island States;” “Implementation and Financing Strategies for Adaptation to Climate Change Impacts on Oceans, Coastal Communities and Small Island Developing States;” and “SIDS and Mauritius Strategy Implementation in the Context of Climate Change Vulnerabilities.” [Global Oceans Conference Website] [IISDRS Coverage]