World Ocean Council to Join Ocean Expert Group for UN Conference on Sustainable Development.

(Dive Travel Business News - January 11, 2012) -- The World Ocean Council (WOC) efforts to create an unprecedented cross-sectoral industry alliance for leadership on ocean sustainability has got the attention of the United Nations. WOC will participate in the U.N. Secretary General’s five-person ocean expert group to help shape international efforts for ocean sustainability. In addition to the private sector WOC, the four other experts in the group represent government, academic and non-government organizations will join the Ocean Expert group.

The oceans have been declared as one of 8 thematic priorities for the upcoming “Rio + 20” – the U.N. Conference on Sustainable Development taking place in Rio de Janeiro in June 2012.   The U.N. Secretary General’s ocean expert group will develop an "Oceans Compact" for this event.

The objective of the Oceans Compact is to build a framework to advance political and pragmatic policies and actions to address the most pressing issues regarding sustainable management of oceans. The compact is to highlight the major challenges facing oceans - such as overfishing, pollution, and the management of ocean ecosystems beyond national jurisdictions - and propose actions to redress these challenges.

Achim Steiner, U.N. Under-Secretary General and Executive Director of the U.N. Environment Programme (UNEP), said: “The marine environment is under pressure as a result of issues such as over-fishing, insensitive development, pollution and climate change. Engaging the private sector will be an essential element towards ensuring the future health of the oceans and seas.”

Rio + 20 is the major decadal global Conference on Sustainable Development, with significant involvement from governments, UN agencies, the environment community and the business community. The 2012 event follows on from the “Earth Summit” in Rio de Janeiro (1992) and the World Summit on Sustainable Development (WSSD) in Johannesburg (2002).

Ocean industries have an significant opportunity to advance their leadership and collaboration in Corporate Ocean Responsibility by working with and through the WOC to provide input to the Oceans Compact and Rio + 20.

The WOC is the only international, cross-sectoral alliance for private sector leadership and collaboration in “Corporate Ocean Responsibility”. Companies and associations worldwide are distinguishing themselves as leaders in ocean sustainability and stewardship by joining the WOC. Members to date include nearly 40 leadership organizations from a wide range of ocean industries: oil and gas, shipping, seafood, tourism, renewables, ocean technology, maritime law, marine environmental services and other areas. Visit www.oceancouncil.org.  For details on the upcoming conference visit RIO+20.

Photo Courtesy: RIO+20

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