4 December 2008: The 10th Global Meeting of the Regional Seas Conventions and Action Plans convened from 25-27 November 2008, in Guayaquil, Ecuador, and addressed issues related to climate change and the Regional Seas Programmes, and adaptation to climate change vulnerability and sea-level rise.

At the end of the meeting, delegates adopted a statement regarding
climate change that recognizes that its consequences will be profound
and long term. The statement underlines the need for multidisciplinary
efforts to adapt to, and mitigate the impacts of, climate change on
coastal and marine ecosystems, and the services they provide to human
well-being. The statement further underscores the importance of
collaboration and coordination among international and regional
organizations, governments, civil society and the private sector.
The meeting concluded that there is an urgent need to strengthen
political will, secure sustained financial support, develop the
necessary frameworks, and coordinate existing conventions, programmes,
projects and activities to ensure effective adaptation to, and
mitigation of the impacts of, climate change. The meeting also stressed
the importance of incorporating climate change as a cross-cutting issue
in sustainable development processes. Recognizing that the global
impacts of climate change will need to be dealt with on a regional
basis, participants supported the initiative of the Permanent
Commission for the South Pacific to convene a high-level regional
conference on climate change and its impacts on the coastal and marine
environment of the Southeast Pacific. [Meeting Website]