Summary
On Wednesday, delegates to the eighteenth meeting of the UN Open-ended Informal Consultative Process on Oceans and the Law of the Sea (ICP-18) participated in discussion panels on “cooperation and coordination in addressing the effects of climate change on oceans – current actions and opportunities for further enhancement.”
In the morning, delegates heard five presentations on: science stewardship projects and programmes; the Global Ocean Observing System; the role of “blue forests” in capturing and storing carbon and providing ecosystem services nationally and globally; regional strategies for ecosystem-based adaptation; and building resilience into ocean management and marine reserves. Discussion topics included: collaboration between NOAA and the Research Center for Oceanography, Indonesia; kelp forests in temperate and polar regions; capacity-building in ocean science; difficulties in predicting El Niño events; and taking action despite the need for further scientific developments.
Five presentations in the afternoon covered: the GEF, climate change finance, and lessons learned; awareness raising in Asia, Africa, Latin America and the Caribbean, and assistance for national adaptation plans and implementation of field projects; CTI-CFF measures and steps to address climate change-related coral reef issues; the effects of climate change on people in coastal areas in Indonesia: mitigation and adaptation experience and possible international cooperation; and effects of rising sea levels on maritime boundaries and “deterritorialization”. Discussions focused on accessing climate finance and effectiveness of climate funds at the national level; the need for private and public financing for countries not covered under agency mandates; and integration of “local wisdom” in ecosystem-based fisheries management plans. Additional discussions included: early warning systems for atolls and precursor technology; legal implications of sea level rise for SIDS; addressing gaps related to climate-displaced persons; access to funding to address changing baselines; reopening existing joint development agreements under changed circumstances; and the applicability of the South China Sea arbitration case on Article 121 to the status of an island.
IISD Reporting Services, through its Earth Negotiations Bulletin (ENB) Meeting Coverage, is providing daily web coverage and a summary and analysis report in English and French from the 18th Meeting of the UN Open-ended Informal Consultative Process on Oceans and the Law of the Sea.
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Hernan Garcia, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA)
Noureddine Yassaa, Algeria
Vladimir Ryabinin, Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission, United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (IOC-UNESCO)
From L-R: Vladimir Ryabinin, IOC-UNESCO; Hernan Garcia, NOAA; and Co-Chair Kornelios Korneliou, Cyprus
Yolannie Cerrato Corrales, Honduras
Lucía Raffin, Argentina
Ko Barrett, US
Michel Djimgou Djomeni, Cameroon
Isaías Medina Mejías, Venezuela
Elliot Harris, UN Assistant Secretary-General, United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP)
Bethan O'Leary, University of York, UK
Jeung Sook Park, Republic of Korea
Anastasia Strati, Greece
Angel Horna, Peru
Vasiliki Krasa, Cyprus
The panel during the afternoon session
Napoleon Beras, Dominican Republic
Cyrille Barnerias, Global Environment Facility (GEF)
Muhammad Lukman, Coral Triangle Initiative
Hassan Moustahfid, Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO)
Makurita Baaro, Kiribati
Nadia Deckert, France
Carlos Garcia Soto, Spain
Andi Eka Sakya, Meteorological, Climatological and Geophysical Agency, Indonesia
Christina Hioureas, Foley Hoag
Galuh Rarasanti, Indonesia
Martin Zvachula, Federated States of Micronesia
Dimitri Gutiérrez Aguilar, Peru
Igor Bailen, the Philippines
Roberto Sisilo, Solomon Islands
Participants networking
From L-R: Lagipoiva Cherelle Jackson, International Institute for Sustainable Development - Reporting Services (IISD-RS); Joan Yang, Nauru; Natalie Jones, IISD-RS; and Teya Penniman, IISD-RS