Representatives from the shipping, oil and gas, fisheries, cruise ship tourism, aquaculture, ports and other ocean industries from around the world gathered at UN Headquarters in New York, US, on 30 September 2008, for the inaugural World Ocean Council (WOC) meeting to develop a global alliance on sustainability.

The event was kicked off by Georg Kell, Executive Director of the UN Global Compact, and Vaclav Mikulka, Director of the UN Division of Ocean Affairs and Law of the Sea. The WOC aims to improve dialogue and understanding between those industrial sectors whose livelihood depends on the responsible and sustainable use of the world’s oceans. The WOC will coordinate efforts to reduce risk and increase stable and responsible ocean use by facilitating industry engaging in international ocean policy processes and collaborating on practical solutions.
Link to further information
WOC website