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SeventeenthmeetingofUN-Oceans26-28March2018

IntergovernmentalOceanographicCommissionofUNESCO,Paris

Summaryreport

1. UN-Oceanshelditsseventeenthface-to-facemeetingfrom26-28March2018,atthekindinvitationoftheIntergovernmentalOceanographicCommissionofUNESCO(IOC-UNESCO)attheheadquartersofUNESCOinParis.InaccordancewiththetermsofreferenceofUN-Oceans,themeetingwasconvenedandorganizedbytheDivisionforOceanAffairsandtheLawoftheSea,OfficeofLegalAffairs(DOALOS/OLA).

2. ThefollowingrepresentativesofUN-Oceansmembersparticipatedinpersonin

themeeting:Mr.ÁrniM.MathiesenandMr.JosephZelasney(FoodandAgricultureOrganizationoftheUnitedNations,FAO);Mr.DavidOsborn(InternationalAtomicEnergyAgency,IAEA);Mr.BrandtWagner(InternationalLabourOrganization,ILO);Mr.FrederikHaag(InternationalMaritimeOrganization,IMO);Mr.VladimirRyabinin,Mr.JulianBarbière,Mr.ThorkildAarup,Mr.SalvatoreArico,Ms.IsabelChavez,Mr.AlbertFisher,Ms.JulieRicaudandMr.VinciusLindosoofIOC-UNESCO;Mr.SandorMulsowandMs.MarieBourrel-McKinnon(InternationalSeabedAuthority,ISA);Ms.ShifaanaThowfeequ(UnitedNationsOfficefortheHighRepresentativefortheLeastDevelopedCountries,LandlockedDevelopingCountriesandSmallIslandDevelopingStates,UN-OHRLLS);Mr.AndrewHudson(UnitedNationsDevelopmentProgramme,UNDP);Ms.LisaSvensson(UnitedNationsEnvironmentProgramme,UNEP);Ms.UlrikeGuerin,Mr.ArturoReydaSilvaandMr.ChihiroNishikawa(UNESCO,CultureSector);Ms.FannyDouvereandMs.VanessaLucot(UNESCO,WorldHeritageCentre,MarineProgramme);Ms.ZitaSebesvariandMr.TumiTómasson(UnitedNationsUniversity,UNU);Mr.WenjianZhang,Mr.StefanoBelfioreandMs.SarahGrimes(WorldMeteorologicalOrganization,WMO).DOALOS/OLAasconvenerofthemeetingwasrepresentedbyMs.GabrieleGoettsche-Wanli.Thefollowingrepresentativesparticipatedbytelephoneinthemeeting,eitherinfullorpart:Mr.JosephAppiott(theSecretariatoftheConventiononBiologicalDiversity,CBDSecretariat);Mr.YoshinobuTakei(UnitedNationsDepartmentofEconomicandSocialAffairs,DESA);Mr.DmitryGonchar,Ms.AliceHicuburundi,Ms.StephanieIerinoandMs.LikaDiouf(DOALOS/OLA);andMr.MikeSparrow(WMO).

3. Thefollowingrepresentativesparticipatedasguestspeakers:Mr.Peter

Thomson,UnitedNationsSecretary-General’sSpecialEnvoyfortheOcean,accompaniedbyMs.AnatheaBrooks;andMr.MishHamid,ProjectManager(IW:LEARN)andMs.NatalieDegger,CapacityDevelopment(IW:LEARN)andMs.IvicaTrumbic,ProjectManager(LME:LEARN).

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Items1and2.Openingofthemeeting,welcomeandopeningremarks

4. Ms.Goettsche-Wanli,Director,DOALOS/OLA,openedthemeeting,welcomedtheparticipantsonbehalfoftheUN-OceansFocalPoint,Mr.SerpaSoares,Under-Secretary-GeneralforLegalAffairsandUnitedNationsLegalCounsel,andthankedIOC-UNESCOforhavingofferedtohostthemeetingofUN-OceansattheheadquartersofUNESCO.Mr.Ryabinin,ExecutiveSecretaryofIOC-UNESCOandAssistantDirectorGeneralofUNESCOalsowelcomedtheparticipants.

Item3.ElectionofChair

5. InaccordancewiththetermsofreferenceofUN-Oceans,Mr.VladimirRyabinin,ExecutiveSecretaryofIOC-UNESCOandAssistantDirectorGeneralofUNESCO,waselectedChairoftheseventeenthmeetingofUN-Oceans.

Item4.Adoptionofthedraftagenda

6. TheChairrecalledthatadraftagendahadbeensenttoallmembersfortheircommentsandsuggestionswerereceivedfromsomemembersasreflectedinthedraftagenda(e.g.proposalforaninteractivesessionwiththeUnitedNationsSecretary-General’sSpecialEnvoyfortheOcean,DecadeforOceanScience,andpresentationfromLME:LEARN).

7. Thedraftagendawasthenadoptedwithoutamendments,asfollows:

1.Opening2.Welcomeandopeningremarks3.ElectionofChair4.Adoptionofthedraftagenda5.SDG14andfollow-uptotheOceanConference-UN-OceansVoluntaryCommitment-CommunitiesofOceanAction-Methodologyforindicator14.c.16.UnitedNationsDecadeofOceanScienceforSustainableDevelopment

(2021-2030)7.ReviewofUN-OceanstermsofreferencebytheGeneralAssembly-Preparationofabackgroundnote8.UN-OceansInventoryofmemberorganizations’activitiesandmandates-Identificationofsynergiesandareasofcollaboration9.Activitiesoreventsofinterestforpossiblecollaborationamongmembers10.UN-Oceanswebsite11.UN-OceansWorkProgrammefor201812.Exchangeofinformation13.Wrapupandclosureofthemeeting-Reviewofaction-points-Othermatters

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8. UN-Oceansmembersalsoapprovedadraftorganizationofworkforthe

meeting.TheChairnotedthatagendaitemsmaybeadvancedordelayeddependingonhowthediscussionsproceed.

Item5.SDG14andfollow-uptotheOceanConference

InteractivedialoguewiththeUnitedNationsSecretary-General’sEnvoyfortheOcean

9. UpontheinvitationoftheChair,theUnitedNationsSecretary-General’sSpecialEnvoyfortheOcean,Mr.PeterThomson,addressedUN-OceansandprovidedanupdateofdevelopmentsthathadtakenplacesincetheUnitedNationsConferencetoSupporttheImplementationofSustainableDevelopmentGoal14:Conserveandsustainablyusetheoceans,seasandmarineresourcesforsustainabledevelopment(theOceanConference)andreviewofSDG14bytheHighLevelPoliticalForuminJuly2017.HerecalledtheoutcomesoftheOceanConferenceandnotedthatnineCommunitiesofOceanAction(COA)hadbeenestablishedandnewVoluntaryCommitmentswerebeingreceived.HesuggestedthatUN-OceansmightwishtotakeadvantageoftheCOAnewslettertoconveytheworkitwasdoinginimplementingSDG14.Herecalledthelastparagraphofthe“OurOcean,OurFuture:CallforAction”.

10. TheUnitedNationsSecretary-General’sSpecialEnvoyfortheOceanfurther

notedthattheFriendsofOceanActionwaslaunchedbyIsabellaLövin,DeputyPrimeMinisterofSweden,andhimon25January2018attheWorldEconomicForumAnnualMeetinginDavosandthatameetingoftheFriendsofOceanActionwouldtakeplaceinMonacointwoweeks’time.

11. TheChairthankedtheUnitedNationsSecretary-General’sSpecialEnvoyforthe

Oceanforhisremarksandopenedthefloorforcommentsandquestions.12. Inresponsetoaquestiononhowtomaintainthehighlevelofpublic

engagementfollowingtheOceanConference,theUnitedNationsSecretary-General’sSpecialEnvoyfortheOceanunderlinedtheneedforUN-Oceanstobeawareoftheimportanceofpublicawarenessandoutreach,includinginrelationtoitsownactivities.

13. InresponsetoaquestiononhowUN-Oceanscouldsupporttheimplementation

ofSDG14asagroup,theUnitedNationsSecretary-General’sSpecialEnvoyfortheOceanindicatedthatofthe10targetsofSDG14,mostoftheUnitedNationssystemwasinvolvedinmarinepollution.HealsourgedinvolvementintheCommunitiesofOceanAction(COAs).TheUnitedNationsSecretary-General’sSpecialEnvoyfortheOceanreferredtoparagraph12oftheTermsofReferenceofUN-OceanswhichhepointedoutenabledUN-Oceanstosetuptime-boundadhocassignmentstofacilitatecoordinationonspecificissues,opentoallparticipatingorganizationsofUN-Oceans.HeconsideredthatUN-Oceansmemberscouldtakeadvantageofparagraph12oftheTermsofReferenceofUN-Oceanstocooperatebilaterallyorwithinsmallgroupson

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specificissuesandwithoutnecessarilyinvolvingthefullUN-Oceansmembership.

14. SeveralmembersofUN-OceansconsideredthatasagroupUN-Oceanscould

focuson“source-to-sea”,inparticularland-basedactivitiesandworkwithUN-Waterinthatregard.AsuggestionwasmadetoorganizeajointeventwithUN-Waterinthefuture.Onemembersuggestedalsoworkingwithacountrythatwouldbeinterestedinchampioningtheissue,forexampleIndonesia.

15. TheChairthankedMr.PeterThomson,UnitedNationsSecretary-General’s

SpecialEnvoyfortheOceanforhispresentationandclosedtheinteractivedialoguesession.

UN-OceansVoluntaryCommitment

16. UpontheinvitationoftheChair,DOALOS/OLAintroducedthisitem.Itrecalled

thatUN-OceansregisteredacommitmentattheOceanConferencewhichcallsfor“Raisingawarenessofrelevantregulatoryandpolicyframeworksanditsmembers’activitiesinsupportoftheirimplementation,asafoundationforconservingandsustainablyusingtheoceans,seasandtheirresources”.UN-Oceansmemberscommittedtoprovideinformationonocean-relatedinternationalregulatoryandpolicyframeworkstothewidestnumberofstakeholdersalsotoensurethattheyareawareofthelegalinstrumentsandpolicyoutcomeswhicharerelevanttoSDG14andotherocean-relatedgoalsandtargetsofthe2030Agenda.Theywillalsoinformabouttheavailableopportunitiestoincreasethecapacitytoimplementrelevantinstrumentsandcommitmentsmoreeffectivelyandfully.Specifically,atmajorintergovernmentalmeetings,UN-Oceansmemberscommittedtocometogethertoprovidebriefingswhichcouldforinstancetaketheformofworkshopsordialoguesinthemarginsofinternationalmeetings,conferencesofthepartiesoratrelevantregionalevents.

17. DOALOS/OLAnotedtheneedtobeabletoreportontheimplementationofthe

voluntarycommitmentincludingthroughrelevantreportsoftheSecretary-GeneralandwithinthecontextoftheCommunityofOceanActiononimplementationofinternationallawasreflectedinUNCLOS.ItrequestedUN-OceansmemberstoconfirmtheircommitmenttoorganizeaneventduringtheconferencesandmeetingsmentionedbyUN-Oceansmembersduringthelastteleconference,apreliminarylistofwhichhadbeencirculatedbyDOALOS/OLAforcomments.

18. UN-Oceansmembersidentifiedtheconferencesandmeetingswhichthey

consideredappropriatefortheimplementationofthevoluntarycommitmentandtheUN-Oceansmemberresponsiblefororganizingtheevent.AlistofthoseconferencesandmeetingsissetoutinannexI.

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19. WithregardtothesideeventduringtheCommitteeonFisheries(COFI),severalmembersofUN-Oceanssuggestedfocussingthediscussionsonoceanscienceforsustainablefisheries.ILOalsohighlightedthelabouraspects.

20. WithrespecttoasideeventatUnitedNationsFrameworkConventionon

ClimateChange,WMOproposedpresentinganocean-focusedextractoftheWMOStatementonthestateoftheglobalclimate,preparedwiththeinputofUN-Oceansmembers.IOC-UNESCOindicatedthatanotheroceanactiondaywasalsoexpectedtobeheldatUNFCCC.WMOindicatedthatitwouldbeavailabletoco-coordinatethepreparationoftheUN-OceanssideeventpendingverificationwiththeUNFCCCSecretariatofanadequatetimeslot.

21. UN-OHRLLSrecalledtheUnitedNationsSystemImplementationMatrixforthe

SAMOAPathway(paras.53-57)andproposedthatthesideeventtobeheldattheInter-regionalmeetingcouldprovideanopportunitytoprovideanupdateregardingactiontakeninsupportofimplementation.ItwouldalsoconsultwithcolleaguesfromDESAonthis.

CommunitiesofOceanAction

22. UpontheinvitationoftheChair,DESAintroducedthisagendaitem.Itrecalled

thatnineCommunitiesofOceanActionwereestablishedinNovemberlastyearwithtwofocalpointsforeachCOA.Workinglevelstaff(“Sherpas”)hadalsobeendesignatedforeachfocalpoint,whowereresponsiblefortheday-to-dayworkoftheCOAs.On21February,theUNSecretary-General’sSpecialEnvoyfortheOceanheldawebinaronhowtoproceedwiththeCOAs.SomeCOAsaremoreactiveandothersarediscussinghowtocooperate.TheCOAontheblueeconomywillholdawebinaron29March.ParticipationintheCOAswasopentoanyonethathadregisteredavoluntarycommitment.

23. Inresponsetoaquestionastohowthefocalpointswereassignedandwhether

otherscouldjoinasfocalpoints,DESAexplainedthattwofocalpointshadbeendesignatedbasedontheexpertiseofthefocalpointinquestionandtherewerenoplanstoincreasethatnumber.ItwasuptothefocalpointstodecidehowbesttoproceedregardinginvitingkeystakeholderstoparticipateintheCOA.DESAalsonotedthatmanyvoluntarycommitmentswerecross-cuttingandsomealsocoveredSDGsotherthanSDG14.FocalpointswereencouragedtoinvitemembersfromotherCOAstoparticipate.DESAwasstilldiscussinghowtodoaninterimassessmentattheendoftheyearandwaspreparingatemplatetobeshared.ThefocalpointsoftheCOAshavereceivedrawdataforeachCOA.

24. TheChairindicatedthatIOC-UNESCOandtheGlobalEnvironmentFacility(GEF)

agreedthattheywouldhaveaprofessionalanalysisofallthecommitmentsmadeundertheCOAonScientificKnowledge,ResearchCapacityDevelopmentandTransferofMarineTechnology.

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25. ISA,whichalongwithOLAisthefocalpointforoneoftheCOAs,raisedquestionsregardingthereviewandmonitoringofthecommitmentsandwhetherthereisaprocesstoguidefocalpointsonhowtheycouldreportback.Theneedforacommonmethodologyforthesharingofdatawasunderscored.ISAsuggestedthatDESAprepareanoteonwhatresourcestheycanprovidetofocalpoints.ISAnotedthatduetoresourceconstraints,itwillnotbeabletodoeverythingthatisrequiredunderthetermsofreferenceofCOAs,notwithstandingthecooperationwithDOALOS/OLA.

26. DESAacknowledgedthedifficultyinassessingprogressbutindicatedthatthe

templateforreportingonprogressoftheCOAwhichDESAwaspreparingwasintendedtohelpfocalpointstoconductanassessmentinamoreconsistentwayacrosstheCOAsandtoallowcomparison.Thetemplatewillincludeaseriesofquestionsthatfocalpointswillberequiredtoanswer,includingidentificationofgapsandnecessaryfutureactions.DESAwasstillintheprocessofconsideringtheexactcontentofthetemplateandwasstillreceivingfeedback.Regardingresources,DESAnotedthatsomeorganizationshadalreadyappointedworkinglevelstaff,butrecognizedthatnoteveryorganizationcandothesame.Somefocalpointshadhiredconsultantstodoanassessment.TheUNSecretary-General’sSpecialEnvoyfortheOceanhadsuggestedfullyutilizingtheexpertiseofmembersoftheCOAs.Also,therewereresourcesavailableontheOceanConferencewebsite,includingaregisterofallvoluntarycommitments,andananalysisofthevoluntarycommitmentsforimplementationofSDG14hadbeenprepared.

27. TheChairindicatedthatUN-Oceanstooknoteoftheinformationprovidedby

DESAandrequestedthattheinterimassessmenttemplatebesharedassoonaspossibletoenablethefocalpointsoftheCOAstoprovidetheirfeedback.Itwasnotedthattheinformationreceivedthroughthereviewcouldbeusedtodevelopactivities,andcouldbeabuildingblockfortheDecade.AllfocalpointswereurgedtoworkwithmembersoftheCOAs.

Methodologyforindicator14.c.1

28. TheChairnotedthatcommentsontherevisedtemplatedevelopedbyFAOfor

monitoringprogressintheimplementationoftarget14.conthebasisoftheindicatorofachievementhadbeensubmittedbyDOALOS/OLAandUNESCO(CultureSector).TheChairinvitedDOALOS/OLAasfocalpointfortheindicatortopresenttheagendaitem.

29. DOALOS/OLArecalledthatUN-Oceanshadagreedonasingleindicatorof

achievementfortarget14.c,namely“Numberofcountriesmakingprogressinratifying,acceptingandimplementingthroughlegal,policyandinstitutionalframeworks,ocean-relatedinstrumentsthatimplementinternationallaw,asreflectedintheUnitedNationsConventionontheLawoftheSea,fortheconservationandsustainableuseoftheoceansandtheirresources”,whichwasthereaftersubmittedtotheInter-agencyandExpertGrouponSDGindicators(IAEG-SDGs)andapprovedforinclusionintheGlobalIndicatorFramework.

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Sincethetargetwasnew,thenewindicatorneededamethodologythatwouldneedtobeapprovedbytheIAEG-SDGs.Asofnowtheindicatorfor14.cisaTierIIIindicatorwithnoapprovedmethodology.TheobjectiveofthismeetingofUN-Oceanswastoagreegenerallyonamethodologyfor14.c.1whichcouldthenbefurtherdevelopedandcommunicatedtotheIAEG-SDGsinordertoenablethereclassificationoftheIndicatortoTierIIandeventuallytoTierI.DOALOS/OLArecalledthatfollowingaproposalbyFAO,UN-Oceanshadagreedonthedevelopmentofaquestionnaireasthebestmeansforcompilingthenecessarydataandinformationonprogressrelatingtotheimplementationoftarget14.c.OncethemethodologyhasbeenagreedbyUN-Oceansmembersandapilotdatacollection/testingphasehasbeenconducted,arequestfortierreclassificationofindicator14.c.1willneedtobesubmittedonemonthinadvanceoftherelevantIAEG-SDGsmeeting.Thefollowingsupportingevidence/documentationwouldberequired:arequestsummary(onetotwopagesinlength);draftmetadataandafullmethodologydevelopmentnarrative(includingalistofpilotcountries,dataandtheresultsemanatingfromthepilotstudies);andanyotherrelevantmaterial.

30. FAOandIOC-UNESCOunderscoredtheimportanceofthemethodologyforthe

indicatorbeingapprovedbyagoverningbodypriortoitssubmissiontotheIAEG-SDGs.IOC-UNESCOindicatedthattheapprovalofthereclassificationoftheindicatorofachievementfortarget14.afromtierIIItotierIIwasalsocontingentuponIOC-UNESCOdemonstratingthatithadcollecteddataforasampleofcountries,whichinIOC-UNESCO’scasewaseffectedfor25countriesthroughtheGlobalOceanScienceReport.

31. DOALOS/OLAandUNESCO(CultureSector)presentedtheircommentsonthe

revisedtemplatepreparedbyFAOthathadalsobeencirculatedinwriting.

32. Followinganextensiveexchangeofviewsonthemethodology,membersofUN-Oceansagreedtoproceedonthebasisofasimplifiedquestionnaire/surveywhichwouldbeconductedusingaweb-baseddatasystem.UNCLOSandotherrelevantlegalinstruments(bindingandnon-binding)wouldbelistedandStateswouldbeaskedtoanswerthefollowingquestionswithrespecttoeachlegalinstrument:whethertheyareapartytotheinstrumentinquestion;whethertheyhavecodifiedtheinstrumentinquestionthroughnationallegislation;andwhethertheyhaveadoptedanationalpolicyand/oranationalinstitutionalmechanismbasedontheinstrumentinquestion.Anoptionwouldalsobeprovidedtoindicatethatimplementationoftheinstrumentinquestionhasbeeneffectedpartially.

33. Alistofalldirectlyrelevantocean-relatedglobalandregionalbinding

instrumentsdevelopedwithintheUnitedNationssystembodies,funds,programmesandspecializedagenciesandtheInternationalSeabedAuthority,asidentifiedbyUN-Oceansmembers,andallrelevantnon-bindinginstrumentsmentionedintheGeneralAssemblyresolutionsonoceansandthelawoftheseaandonsustainablefisherieswouldbeincludedinthequestionnaireforStates’consideration.

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34. Thequestionnairewouldalsodrawattentiontorelevantinformationpreviously

submittedbyStatestoUN-Oceansmembersconcerningratification/accessionandimplementationofrelevantinstruments.Thenameoftheentityconcernedandalinktotherelevantentity’sURLorURLswouldbeplacednexttotheinstrument.

35. Iftheweb-baseddatasystemapproachdescribedaboveisadopted,thenanote

verbalewouldbesenttoStates(directedtothePermanentandObserverMissions)whichwouldoutlinethebackgroundtoandobjectiveofthequestionnaire,andprovidelogindetailstothewebsite.Theintroductorytextwouldemphasizethatthelistofinstrumentsincludedisanindicativelistonly.Itwouldalsospecifythatonlydirectlyrelevantocean-relatedglobalandregionalbindinginstrumentsdevelopedwithintheUnitedNationsSystembodies,funds,programmesandspecializedagenciesaswellastheInternationalSeabedAuthority,andocean-relatednon-bindinginstrumentsmentionedintheGeneralAssemblyresolutionsonoceansandthelawoftheseaandonsustainablefisheriesareincluded.

36. ThisproposedmethodologycouldbepresentedanddiscussedbyStatesatthe

MeetingofStatesPartiestotheUnitedNationsConventionontheLawoftheSeaduringasideevent.ItcouldalsobepresentedattheUnitedNationsOpen-endedInformalConsultativeProcessonOceansandtheLawoftheSeainthecontextofthestatementbytheUN-OceansFocalPoint.

37. Stateswouldentertheirownresponsesdirectlyintothedatabase.Aboxwould

beincludedwhichwouldenableStatestoidentifytheircapacity-buildingpriorityneeds,ifapplicable.

38. Withrespecttomeasurementofprogressinratifications/accessionsand

implementation,UN-Oceansmembersagreedthatthereshouldnotbeascoreforindividualcountries,butratherthattheanalysisoftheresultswouldshowoveralltrends/progress.Therefore,no‘points’or‘scores’wouldbeattributedtoStates’answersenteredinthedatabaseandassuch,therewouldbenoweighingofscoresforratification/accessionandimplementation.

39. Withregardtotheperiodicityofthequestionnaire,itwassuggestedthat2015

wasthebaselinethatcouldbeused.Itwassuggestedthatthereportingcouldbeeffectedeverytwoorthreeyearsandthatitneededtobeinlinewiththe2030deadline.DOALOS/OLAwasrequestedtoseektheadviceoftheStatisticalDivisionastotheapproachofotherindicatorswithrespecttoperiodicity.

40. DOALOS/OLAwasalsorequestedtocirculatethecurrentconsolidatedlistof

bindinginstrumentsthathadbeenidentifiedbymembersofUN-OceanssothatUN-Oceans’memberscouldupdate/supplementthatlist.AlistofbindinginstrumentspreviouslyidentifiedbyUN-OceansmembersisatannexIItothisreport.DOALOS/OLAwouldpreparethelistofnon-bindinginstrumentsonthe

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basisoftheGeneralAssemblyresolutionsonoceansandthelawoftheseaandonsustainablefisheries.

41. WithrespecttoDOALOS/OLA’sproposaltoincludeafreetextoptionforStates

toinputwhere/howtheyimplementedtheinstrumentsimilartotheapproachusedforoneofthemigrationindicatorsthatrelatetoimplementationoflaw,UN-Oceansmembersrequestedmoredetailsregardingtheapproachused.DOALOS/OLAagreedtofurtherexplorethisoptionandprovideadditionalinformationtoUN-OCEANSmembers.

42. DOALOS/OLAwillinvestigatewhetherithasaccesstothetechnicalcapabilities

toestablishandmaintainaweb-baseddatasystem(andwhethersuchasystemwouldbeaffordable).DOALOS/OLAindicatedthatitwouldneedthecooperationofallUN-Oceansmembersinpreparinganassessmentoftheresultsofthequestionnaire.

Actionpoints:• DOALOS/OLAtoseekadviceoftheStatisticalDivisionwithrespectto

periodicity,andastowhetheritispossible/appropriatetomeasureprogressagainsttheindicatorpriortoadoptionofthemethodology.

• DOALOS/OLAtoinvestigatethefeasibilityofestablishingandhostingaweb-baseddatasystem.

• DOALOS/OLAtopreparealistofbindingandnon-bindinginstrumentsonthebasisoftheGeneralAssemblyresolutionsonoceansandthelawoftheseaandonsustainablefisheriesandtocirculatethelisttomembersofUN-Oceans.

Item6.UnitedNationsDecadeofOceanScienceforSustainableDevelopment(2021-2030)

43. TheChairrecalledthedecisionoftheUNGeneralAssemblythroughresolution72/73toproclaimtheUnitedNationsDecadeofOceanScienceforSustainableDevelopment(2021-2030)andtorequestIOC-UNESCOtoleadthepreparationofanimplementationplanfortheDecadetobefinalizedby2020.HestressedthefactthattheresolutioninvitesUN-OceansanditsmemberstocollaboratewithIOC-UNESCOinthepreparationoftheDecade,andthereforeurgedallUNpartnerstoworkcloselywiththeIOC-UNESCOSecretariatindevelopingmeaningfulactivitiesthatcanbenefittheUnitedNationsSystemasawholeinitssupportforthe2030Agenda.Hegaveanoverviewofthemainactivitiestobeimplementedduringthepreparationphase,buildingontheRoadmapdocumentpreparedbyIOC-UNESCOandsharedwithUN-Oceans.IOC-UNESCOastheleadagencywillcoordinatethesepreparatoryactivities,buildingonitsgoverningbodiesandprogrammaticnetworkstodevelopacoalitionofpartnerswhocandeliverontheDecadeobjectives.TheactivitywillaimtoestablishagovernancemechanismaswelladurablestructureandadeliverymechanismforimplementingDecadeactivitiesfrom2021to2030.Basedonanexhaustiveconsultationprocessimplementedacrossthescientificcommunity,Member

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States,UNandinternationalpartners,keyresearchprioritieswillbeidentified.Aframeworkforpartnershipwillalsobedevelopedandoperationalized,ensuringthatoceanscienceandobservationssupporttheimplementationoftheocean-relatedaspectsoftheUnitedNationsSustainableDevelopmentGoalsofthe2030AgendaaswellasotherrelevantUnitedNationsframeworksrelatedtooceansustainability.

44. IOC-UNESCOrecalledtheguidingquestionssenttotheUN-Oceansmembers:− Whatkeyocean science requirements (includingaccess todataand capacity

development)doyouhaveasanorganization,whichareneededtodeliveronyourinstitutionalmandate,esp.inrelationtoSDGimplementation?

− HowcouldtheDecadehelpyourorganization inmeeting itsscienceagenda?(intermsofpossibleobjectives,activities,partnerships,outcomes)

− What kind of contribution could your organizationmake to the preparationphase? (e.g. in terms of coordination, communication, assessing needs/gapanalysis,etc.)?

− How can you / IOC-UNESCO (as coordinator) help to engage stakeholders intheDecadewithinyourconstituency/sector/governingbody?

− WhatrolecouldUN-OceansplayinthecontextoftheDecade? − Anyadditionalinputsontheroadmap?

IOC-UNESCO invitedUN-Oceansmembers to share their vision for theDecade, toelaboratetheirpossiblecontributionstothePreparatoryandPlanningProcessandtheirexpectationsregardingtheirownprogrammesandobjectives.

45. UN-OceansmembersexpressedsupportandinterestincontributingtotheDecadeandcongratulatedIOC-UNESCOforitsmandateandpreparatorywork,inparticulartheRoadmapfortheDecade.

46. UNUoutlinedthelistofpotentialbreakthroughsoftheDecade,whichshouldbesolution-oriented(e.g.MarinePollution),andstressedthattheDecadeshouldenableactionsandsupportoceanmanagement.UNUproposedmoresynergiesbetweenresearchandcapacity-development.

47. UNESCO(CultureSector)suggestedprovidingguidancetodirectUN-Oceansmembers’contributions.UNESCOalsoproposedtoorientoceansciencetohelpdecision-makers.UNESCOrecommendedtheDecadeshouldfocusondeliveringmultiplebreakthroughssuchasanewdimensiontoscience(popularizescience),usingtechnologiestomonitororsettingstandards.

48. WMOhighlightedtheneedtocommunicateonsustainabledevelopmentasthe

overallobjectiveofthisDecade,oceansciencerepresentingatooltoachievethisobjective.WMOstressedtheneedtopromoteoceanobservationsandtoexplainhowinvestmentinobservationswillgeneratesocio-economicbenefits.WMOproposedtodemonstratetoMemberStateshowoceansciencecouldprovidesupporttotheiroceansmanagementissuesandbringeconomicbenefits.

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49. IAEAstatedthatdatasharingamongstnationsisstillachallengethatmakesthe

implementationofsustainabledevelopmentattheecosystemlevelcomplicated.IAEAsuggestedidentifyinghowtheDecadecouldcontributetopeaceanddiplomacyinfosteringcooperationamongstnationsinareaswhereoceanconflictsareoccurring.IAEArecalledthatitsworkisprimarilyfocussedonscienceandtechnicalcooperation,aswellastechnicalcapacitydevelopment,andsuggestedthatIAEAprogrammescouldprovideaconduitfordevelopingresearchareasidentifiedbytheDecade.IAEAalsoproposedthattheDecadefocusontransitioningfromobservationstoforecastingservices,consideringconsideringthatmanagersneedtotakedecisionsreflectingthistransition(e.g.withaquacultureinvestmentsinrelationtooceanacidificationtrends).

50. FAOnotedthattheDecaderepresentsanopportunityforUNbodiestoadvance

notonlycollectivelybutalsoindividuallytowardssustainabledevelopment.FAOoutlinedthekeyareaofFAOfocusfortheDecade:fisheriesscienceforpromotingsustainabledevelopmentandensuringfoodsecurity.FAOhighlightedafewareaswheretheDecadecouldassistFAOtodeliveritsmandateonfisheriesmanagementandfoodsecurity:theserelatetoimprovingdataforconductingstockassessments,developingassessmentguidelinesandtools,supportingtheestablishmentofoceanscience-policydialogue,anddevelopingoceanforecastsforthedevelopmentofaquaculture.FAOalsosuggestedemphasizingthefoodproductionaspectinthepresentationoftheDecaderecallinginsecurityrelatedtofoodandnutritionandmigrationaffectingcoastalcommunities.FAOhighlightedland-basedpollutionissueandtheroleofoceaninclimatechangeasimportantissues.FAOhighlightedtheneedtomobilizeresourcesfortheDecadewhichotherwisemaynotfunction.FAOproposedtodedicateaspecificitemontheDecadeattheupcomingCOFI,inJulyaswellasatthemeetingoftheSeventhRegularFisheryBodySecretariat’sNetwork.

51. UN-OHRLLSacknowledgedthefocusoftheDecadeofOceanScienceontheimplementationoftheSustainableDevelopmentGoals.UN-OHRLLSrecalledthattheoceanisakeyresourceforSIDSandhighlightedthedifficultyinusingandprotectingresourceswithoutsufficientscientificknowledge.UN-OHRLLSexpressedsomeexpectationsfortheDecade,suchasincreasingcapacityforSIDS,harmonizingandprovidingaccesstorelevantoceandata.

52. IMOrecalledthatitsmandateisregulatoryandthatithasnootherin-housescientificexpertise(exceptfortheLondonProtocol).IMOreliesonGESAMPandstrivestoensurethatitsregulatoryworkisbasedonthebestavailablescience.IMOinvitedIOC-UNESCOtopresenttheDecadeactivitiestoGESAMPandIMO’stechnicalbodies(MarineEnvironmentProtectionCommitteeandthescientificgroupadvisingtheLondonProtocol).IMOencouragedIOC-UNESCOtoidentifytheDecadepriorities,focusareas,effortstoresultinalastingimpacttohelppolicymaking-bodies.IMOcalledforMemberStatesinotherUNconstituenciesthanIOC-UNESCOtobeinformedabouttheDecade.

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53. WMOpresenteditsoceanactivitiesandprioritiesandidentifiedthreeareasfor

improvement:forecastingofextremeevents,sub-seasonaltoseasonalforecastingandmulti-decadalmonitoring.WMOinformedthemeetingthatitsExecutiveCouncilwouldendorsetheDecadeinJune2018.WMOalsoexplainedthatthreeoftheStrategicObjectivesdefinedinWMODraftStrategicPlanarerelevantfortheDecade:knowledgeoftheoceansystem,ocean-relatedhazardsandcooperationinobservation.Inthisregard,WMOispreparinga“catalogue”ofallitsactivitiesthatcontributetotheobjectivesoftheDecade,whichwillbesharedwithUN-Oceansmembers.

54. ISAacknowledgedthattheDecadewouldbeinstrumentalinachievingthe

SustainableDevelopmentGoalsifitsucceedsinavoidingduplication.Atthesametime,itwillcreatesynergies.TheDecadewillalsoplayanimportantroleforISAinimplementingitsmandateunderUNCLOS,especiallyinrelationtoMarineScientificResearchintheArea,thecollectionanddisseminationofinformation,andtheprotectionofthemarineenvironmentfromseabedactivities.ISAnotedthatcriticalaspectsoftheDecadewouldbearounditscapacitytoincludedevelopingStatesandtofacilitatetheirparticipationindatamanagement.ISAinformedthemeetingthatithaselaboratedadatabase(atphase7outof9)whichwillbesharedwithseverallevelsofaccess:generalpublic,contractorsandinternationalexpertworkinggroup.ISAgeneratedtwoatlasesonmacro-faunaandmeio-faunaregisteredasvoluntarycommitments.

55. IOC-UNESCOinformedthemeetingthat,inadditiontoitscoordinatingrole,it

willalsocontributetoidentifyingkeyoceansciencerequirementsfortheDecade,buildingonitsexistingprogrammesinoceansciences,observation,servicesandcapacitydevelopment.ApaperwillbesubmittedtotheIOC-UNESCOExecutiveCouncilinJulythatwillidentifyIOC-UNESCOpreliminarycontributiontotheDecade.

56. DOALOS/OLAunderlinedthecriticalimportanceofmarinescienceforthe

implementationofUNCLOSandUNFSA,aswellasfortheRegularProcessforGlobalReportingandAssessmentoftheStateoftheMarineEnvironment,includingSocioeconomicAspects(RegularProcess).ItunderlinedthatknowledgeandcapacitygapshadbeenidentifiedbytheFirstWorldOceanAssessment.DOALOS/OLArecalledrelevantGeneralAssemblyresolutionswhichemphasizetheneedtostrengthentheabilityofcompetentinternationalorganizationstocontributetothedevelopmentofnationalcapacityinmarinescienceandthesustainablemanagementoftheoceansandtheirresources.DOALOS/OLAhighlighteditsjointcapacity-buildingprojectwithIOC-UNESCO,whichhasaparticularfocusontrainingofSIDS.DOALOS/OLAalsoproposedincorporatinggenderperspectivesintotheDecadeprocess,andnotedthatUN-OceanssideeventscouldbeusedasanopportunitytodrawtheattentionofMemberStatestotheDecade.ReferencewasmadetotheupcominginformalconsultationsofStatespartiestoUNFSA,whichwillhaveasitsthemethescience/policyinterface,meetingsoftheRegularProcessandthefirstsessionof

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theIntergovernmentalConferenceonaninternationallegallybindinginstrumentundertheUnitedNationsConventionontheLawoftheSeaontheconservationandsustainableuseofmarinebiologicaldiversityofareasbeyondnationaljurisdiction(BBNJ)inSeptember.DOALOS/OLAalsoclarifiedthatprogressontheDecadewouldbereportedthroughthereportoftheSecretary-Generalonoceansandthelawofthesea.

57. UNDPprovidedanoverviewoftheGEFfundedprogramsinthecontextoftheInternationalWaterstrategythatgenerallypromotea‘sciencetomanagement’approach.UNDPrecalledthatGEFdoesnotfinancesciencepersebutsuggestedpromotingDecade-relatedcommitmentsonscience,aspartofGEFprojectpartnerships.

58. Mr.PeterThomson,UnitedNationsSecretaryGeneral’sSpecialEnvoyforthe

Ocean,sharedhisvisionfortheDecadeandrecalledthattheobjectiveoftheDecadewouldbethatattheendofthesetenyearswewouldknowmoreaboutthestateofocean,butalsothatsciencewouldbeaccessibletoeveryonethroughseamlessaccesstorelevantdataandinformation,inanunderstandableformat.

59. UN-Oceansmemberswereinvitedtosendadditionalwritteninputsonthe

Roadmapdocumentandoutlinetheirpotentialcontributions,totheIOC-UNESCOSecretariatby27April2018atthelatest.ArevisedversionoftheRoadmapwillbepresentedattheIOC-UNESCOExecutiveCouncilandsharedwithUN-Oceansmembers.

60. TheChairconcludedthatthePreparatoryPhaseneedstofocusonresource

mobilizationandrequiresrobustcoordinationarrangementstoengageallstakeholders,UNandnon-UNpartners.ThePreparatoryPhasewillrefinespecificoutcomesfortheDecadewithinputsfromUN-Oceansanditsmembers.ThePreparatoryPhasewillsupportboththedevelopmentofaScienceandBusinessPlanandelaborateadatapolicyfortheDecade,whilstensuringthatcapacitydevelopmentisembeddedacrossallthemesoftheDecade.TheChaircalleduponUN-OceansmemberstoreachouttotheirMemberStates,toinformthemabouttheDecadeandtoinvitethemtocontribute.TheChairrecalledtheDecadewouldbeco-designedanditwouldshareunifieddataandinformationabouttheocean.Itwillcreateanopen,accessibledatabase.TheChairalsoconcludedthattheDecadewouldoffersciencesolutionstopolicydecisions(actingondatainformationtomanagement),toempowerdecision-makers.

61. TheIOC-UNESCOSecretariatrecalledthatIOC-UNESCOExecutiveCouncilwould

considertheTermsofReferenceforthePlanningGroupinJulyandthatUN-Oceansmemberswillbeinvitedtorecommendexpertsrepresentingtheirrespectiveareasofwork,aswellastonominaterepresentativesfortheregionalworkshops,whichwilltakeplacein2019,forthefivemajoroceanbasins.IOC-UNESCOSecretariatalsoremindedUN-Oceansmembersthat

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contributionstotheRoadmapwouldbewelcomeuntil15April2018.UN-OceansmemberswerealsoinvitedtoinformtheIOC-UNESCOSecretariatoftheircommunicationneeds(communicationmaterialsaretobedevelopedandsharedwithagencies)aswellasopportunitiestoengagethedifferentcommunities.

Actionpoint:UN-OceansmemberstosendadditionalwritteninputsontheRoadmapdocumentandoutlinetheirpotentialcontributionstotheIOC-UNESCOSecretariatby27April2018.UN-OceansmemberstoinformtheIOC-UNESCOSecretariatoftheircommunicationneeds(communicationmaterialsaretobedevelopedbytheIOC-UNESCOandsharedwithagencies)aswellasopportunitiestoengagethedifferentcommunities.

Item7.ReviewofUN-Oceans’TermsofReferencebytheGeneralAssembly

62. DOALOS/OLAintroducedthisagendaitembyprovidinginformationregardingthedecisionoftheGeneralAssemblytodeferthereviewoftheTermsofReference(TORs)ofUN-Oceansuntilitsseventy-thirdsessionandfactthatMemberStateswelcomedthesuggestionbyDOALOS/OLAforUN-OceanstoprepareaninformaldocumenttofacilitatethereviewbyMemberStates.DOALOS/OLAproposedthatsuchinformaldocumentcouldbefinalizedintimeforthemeetingoftheUNOpen-endedInformalConsultativeProcessonOceansandtheLawoftheSeatobeheldfrom18-22June2018,whentheFocalPointforUN-OceanstraditionallypresentsanoverviewoftheactivitiesofUN-OceanstoMemberStates.

63. AnextensiveexchangeofviewsamongmembersofUN-Oceansfollowedduring

whichmembersexpressedtheviewthatUN-OceansshouldprepareaninformaldocumentforsubmissiontoMemberStates.ItwasagreedthatUN-OceanswouldnotproposemodificationstotheTORssincethatwastheprerogativeofMemberStates.InsteadUN-Oceanswouldfocusonhighlightingthevalueofworkingtogether,forexamplethatthereisaneedforamechanismtohelpUnitedNationssystemorganizations,bodies,fundsandprogrammesaswellasspecializedagenciesandISA,considerhowUN-OceanscanworktogetherandpoolresourcesandprovideexamplesofwhathasbeenachievedtodatethroughUN-Oceans,includinginrelationtotheinventoryofmandatesandthepreparationsfortheOceanConference.

64. Examplesoffutureactivities,inparticulartheUNDecadeofOceanScience,

wouldalsobeprovided.Inthatregard,ILOalsoreferredtothepotentialinvolvementofUN-OceansinthepreparationoftheILO/FAO/IMOroadmaponworkingconditionsinfisheries.DOALOS/OLAhighlightedtheRegularProcessasanotheractivitywhichrequiredthecollaborationandsupportofUN-Oceans(seealsoitem9below).

65. ItwasnotedthatUN-Oceansshouldexplorewhatitcouldfurthereffectively

achievewithintheexistingTORs.However,UN-Oceansmembersalsoconsidereditimportanttounderscoreintheinformaldocumentthatwhenthe

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TORswereapprovedbyMemberStates,the2030AgendahadnotbeenadoptedbytheGeneralAssembly,norhadthe“Ourocean,ourfuture:callforaction”beenendorsedbytheGeneralAssembly,notingthepotentialchangedexpectationsofMemberStatesregardingtheworkofUN-Oceans,andtohighlightdevelopmentsthathadtakenplacesincethattime.ItwasproposedthatUN-OceanscouldsuggesttoMemberStatestoaddareferencetothe2030AgendaintheTORs.ItwasalsosuggestedthatthecaseforaUN-Oceansmechanismcouldbereiterated,whilealsounderliningtheneedforMemberStatestoclearlyindicatewhattheyexpectedfromUN-Oceans.ItwasnotedthatitwascriticaltoknowwhattheaddedvalueofUN-Oceanswaswhendecidingwhethertoattendameeting.ItwasalsosuggestedbyamemberthattheinformaldocumentshouldtouchuponthedifferencebetweenUN-OceansandUN-Water.

66. TheUNSecretary-General’sSpecialEnvoyfortheOceanreiteratedhisproposal

touseparagraph12oftheTORstosetuptime-boundadhocassignmentstofacilitatecoordinationonspecificissuesamongsomemembersofUN-OceanswhichcouldthenbereportedasexamplesofcollaborationtoMemberStates.WhilethisproposalwassupportedbysomemembersofUN-Oceans,itwaspointedoutthatsuchcollaborationwasalreadyhappeningextensivelyoutsidetheframeworkofUN-Oceansandthatthepurposeofparagraph12hadbeentoprovideforsuchcollaborationwithintheframeworkofUN-Oceansenablingallinterestedmemberstoeventuallyprovidetheirinputiftheywishedtodoso.ItwasnotedthatUN-OceansneededtogiveitselfsomeguidanceastowhenanoutputbecomesanUN-Oceansoutput.

67. ItwasagreedthatIAEAandDOALOS/OLAwouldpreparethefirstdraftofthe

informaldocumentandthencirculateitforcommentstoallUN-Oceansmembers.ThedocumentwouldthenbepresentedtotheUNOpen-endedInformalConsultativeProcessonOceansandtheLawoftheSea.

68. ItwasalsoproposedtotakeadvantageofthemomentumthattheOcean

ConferencehadgeneratedtohavebroaderrecognitionoftheworkofUN-Oceans.Inthatregard,itwasagreedtoworkonimprovingthewebsiteofUN-Oceans(seebelow87-92).ThesuggestionwasalsomadethatthewebsiteshouldprovideforthepossibilityforUN-Oceansmemberstohaveacentralplacetoaccessandshareworkingdocuments.

Actionpoint:DOALOS/OLAandIAEAtopreparethedraftinformaldocumentforsubmissiontoMemberStatesandcirculatetoUN-Oceansmembersforcomments.

Item8.UN-Oceansinventoryofmemberorganizations’activitiesandmandates

69. UpontheinvitationoftheChair,DOALOS/OLAwasinvitedtointroducethisagendaitem.

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70. DOALOS/OLArecalledthatthedevelopmentoftheinventorywasoneofthemainachievementsofUN-OceanswhichisreferredtointheGeneralAssemblyresolutionsonoceansandthelawofthesea.Italsounderlinedtheimportanceforallmembersiftheyhadnotyetdonesotoinputtheirinformationintheinventoryorcontinuetoupdateinformationintheinventory.Inaddition,DOALOS/OLAhighlightedtheimportanceoffulfillingthemandateaspertheTORsofUN-OceansanditspastadoptedWorkProgramme.DOALOS/OLAnotedthatsomemembershadalreadybeenidentifyingsynergiesandwerecollaboratingaccordingly.Thesekindofcollaborationagreementscouldqualifyasidentificationofsynergiesandcouldbereflectedintheinventoryoralternatively,theycouldalsobeincludedontheUN-Oceanswebsite.Theviewsofmembersonthisissueweresought.

71. SomemembersofUN-Oceansrequestedinformationonwhowasusingthe

inventoryandhowtheinformationwasbeingused.FAOindicatedthatitwouldcheckregardingthenumberofpersonsaccessingtheinventory.Somemembersindicatedthattheinventorydidnotprovideanappropriatetoolforthemtoidentifysynergies.TheyconsidereditratherasatoolthatcouldassistMemberStatesinbeingawareofwhatmembersofUN-Oceansaredoing.ItwassuggestedthatMemberStatesshouldbeinvitedtoprovidetheirfeedbackontheutilityoftheinventorythroughasurveytobedistributedattheUNOpen-endedInformalConsultativeProcessonOceansandtheLawoftheSea.ItwaspointedbyseveralmembersofUN-OceansthatmoreeffortneededtobemadetodrawattentiontothewebsiteofUN-Oceanswhichrequiredimprovementsintermsofcontentandlook(seeagendaitem10).

Actionpoint:DOALOS/OLAtoprepareadraftsurvey,seekingMemberStates’viewsontheutilityoftheinventory,andcirculatetoUN-Oceansmembersforcomments.FAOwillprovidestatisticsandotherinformationasnecessaryontheuseoftheinventory.

Item9.Activitiesoreventsofinterestforpossiblecollaborationamongmembers

IW:LEARNandLME:LEARN72. UpontheinvitationoftheChair,UNDPintroducedthisagendaitemandthe

guestspeakersonIW:LME:LEARN,Mr.MishHamid,ProjectManager,andMs.NatalieDegger,CapacityDevelopment;aswellastheguestspeakeronLME:LEARN,Ms.IvicaTrubic,ProjectManager.

73. ThepresentersunderscoredhowtheLME:LEARNapproachisaimedat

improvingglobalecosystem-basedgovernanceofLargeMarineEcosystems(LMEs)andtheircoaststhroughgeneratingknowledge,buildingcapacity,public-privatepartnerships,andSouth-South/North-Southlearning.ItprovidedaregionalframeworkforachievingSDG14.LME:LEARN’swebsite<marine.iwlearn.net>providesdetailedinformation.AlargeLMEhubledbyIUCNispartoftheprojectandisavailableat<www.lmehub.net>,whilea

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databaseofoceanexpertsledbyIOC-UNESCOProjectOfficeforIODEisavailableat<www.oceanexpert.net>.

74. Capacity-buildingactivitiesincludedregionaltrainingwithprioritiesfor

September2018toJanuary2019focussedongovernance,economicvaluationandmarinespatialplanningintransboundarysettings;anLMEecosystemcourse;massiveopenonlinecourses;twinning;andregionalnetworksandinter-projectcollaborationopportunities.

75. AconferencewasheldinCapeTownfrom27-28November2017focussedon

buildinginternationalpartnershipstoenhancescience-basedecosystemapproachesinsupportofregionaloceangovernance.Thegoalwastoenhancegovernanceintheimplementationofthe2030AgendathroughenhancedcollaborationbetweenLMEs,regionalseasprogrammesandregionalfisheriesbodies.Themeetingreviewednumerousinstrumentsandmechanismsforoceangovernanceimplementedbyvariousregionalorganizationsandhighlightedtheroleofscienceasthebestcollaborativepointtoestablishconnectivity.Theparticipatingorganizationsunderlinedthatimportanceofretainingthecurrentmandatesofregionalbodies.

76. LME:LEARNiswillingtoassistinbuildinganinformation-sharingplatform–a

regionalmeta-database.Tothatend,acommonstructurefortheplatformneedstobedeveloped,aspecificwebsiteestablishedandthecurrentmechanismandtoolsneededtobeutilized.

77. InresponsetoquestionsraisedbyISAandWMO,thespeakersclarifiedthat

LME:LEARNencompassednotonlytheland/coastalinterface,butalsofocussedonthecoastalzone,includingonmarineprotectedareasandmarinespatialplanning.ClimatevariabilitywasalsopartofsomeoftheLMEprojects.Notingthefocusonscienceandregionalcooperation,DOALOS/OLAunderlinedtheimportanceofalsolinkingregionalprocesseswithglobalprocessesandpolicydevelopments,includingtheRegularProcessandtheBBNJprocess.UNEPdrewattentiontothefactthattheRegionalSeasalsodevelopedtheirownpolicy.

78. IOC-UNESCOpointedoutthatLMEswereagoodwayofinvolvingUN-Oceans

partners.ThespeakersindicatedthattheywereworkingwithFAOontheCommonOceansProjectbuthadnotyetmadethelinktotheRegularProcess.

79. TheChairinthankingUNDPandthespeakersfortheirpresentations,

emphasizedtheneedtostrengthenthelinkagetotheRegularProcess.

WorldOceansDayPortal80. UpontheinvitationoftheChair,IOC-UNESCOmadeapresentationonthe

WorldOceansDayPortalwhichhadbeendevelopedbyIOC-UNESCOandDOALOS/OLA.UN-Oceansmemberswereencouragedtoregisterandinputtheireventsandresourcesonthesite.IOC-UNESCOpointedoutthatthesoonercontentwasputuponthewebsitethemorevisibleitbecame.

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81. UpontheinvitationoftheChair,DOALOS/OLAprovidedabriefupdateon

preparationsforWorldOceansDay2018.DOALOS/OLAindicatedthatinlinewiththethemeof“CleanourOcean”,apaneldiscussionwaspreliminarilyplannedfortheafternoonof8JuneatUNHeadquarters,withaparticularfocusoninnovationandyouthmobilization.Followingthatevent,theannualWorldOceansDayreceptionwouldbeheld,duringwhich,interalia,theWorldOceansDayPhotoContestwinnerswouldbeannounced.TheUNSecretary-General’sSpecialEnvoyfortheOceanandtheUN-OceansFocalPointwouldalsobeparticipatinginWorldOceansDay.ExpressionsofinterestforinvolvementinWorldOceansDayhadalsobeenreceivedfromsomeUN-Oceansmembers(UNDP,UNEPandIOC-UNESCO),asnotedatpreviousmeetingsoftheFriendsofWorldOceansDay.OthermembersthatareinterestedincontributingareencouragedtocontactDOALOS/OLA(FrancoisBailetandStefanKuuskne)sothattheycanbeaddedtotheFriendsofWorldOceansDaymeetinglistandparticipateinfuturemeetings.

82. Intheexchangeofviewsthatfollowed,UNEP,supportedbyIAEA,suggestedto

haveaUN-Oceansevent.IMO,supportedbyDOALOS/OLAandFAO,proposedtodevelopandshowavideoonUN-Oceansatthatevent.WhileitwasrecognizedthatitwastoolatethisyeartocoordinateaninputbyUN-OceanstotheWorldOceansDay,itwassuggestedbyIOC-UNESCOthattheactivitiesofeachmemberofUN-OceanscouldbepostedonthePortalwhichcouldbeupdatedeveryyear.WMOsuggestedlookingattheexperienceofUN-Water.Goingforward,itwasagreedbyUN-OceansthatitwouldorganizeacollaborativeeventandconsiderdevelopingavideowiththesupportofmembersofUN-Oceans.ItalsoagreedthatitwasimportanttohaveaninputonthethemeofWorldOceansDaywellinadvance.Asregardsthethemefor2019,UN-OceansagreedwiththeproposalbyDOALOS/OLA,supportedbyILOandWMO,thatitshouldbeagender-relatedtheme.ILOpointedoutthatthethemewasopportunegiventhemajormeetingsrelatedtogenderplannedbyILOnextyear.

83. FAOinformedUN-Oceansthatitwasplanninganeventtocommemoratethe

InternationaldayforthefightagainstIUUfishingon5JuneandthatmembersofUN-Oceanswerewelcometoconnecttothatevent.

84. TheChairopenedthefloorforUN-Oceansmemberstopresentotheractivities

oreventsofinterestforpossiblecollaborationamongmembers.85. DOALOS/OLAprovidedanoverviewofrecentdevelopmentsrelatingtothe

implementationofthesecondcycleoftheRegularProcessandhighlightedtheimportanceofthesupportofUN-OceansmemberstothesuccessoftheProcess,includinginrelationtotheidentificationofexpertstothePoolofExperts,asalsorecognizedbytheGeneralAssemblyinitsresolutiononoceansandthelawofthesea.DOALOS/OLAalsothankedthosemembersthathadalreadysubmittedalistofexpertsandthathadcontributedtothefirstroundofregionalworkshops.ItinvitedUN-Oceansmemberstoparticipateinthesecond

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roundofregionalworkshopstobeheldthisyear,includingbyhostingorco-hostingworkshops.DOALOS/OLAalsoinformedUN-Oceansthatamulti-stakeholderdialogueandcapacity-buildingpartnershipeventwerescheduledtobeheldinearly2019.

86. WMOindicatedthatithadalreadysubmittedalistofexpertsthatithad

identifiedforthePoolofExperts,whileIOC-UNESCOindicatedthatitwasinprocessofcompilingofalistofexperts.IOC-UNESCOandWMObothexpressedaninterestinco-organizingaworkshop.IOC-UNESCOindicatedthatwiththeapprovaloftheoutline,itwasnowpossiblefortheagenciestohaveadialoguewiththeGroupofExpertswithaviewtohelpingtheExpertshaveaccesstoresources.IOC-UNESCOandIAEAindicatedthatcapacity-buildingprovidedagoodopportunityforUN-Oceansmemberstocollaborate.IAEAofferedtosupportsuchcapacity-developmentincludingfinancially.

Item10.UN-Oceanswebsite

87. UpontheinvitationoftheChair,DOALOS/OLAintroducedtheagendaitem.ItrecalledthatUN-OceansmembershadpreviouslyagreedthattheUN-Oceanswebsiteneededupdating,notingthatthefirstsetofupdateswasimplementedbyFAOpriortotheOceanConference.AdocumentcontainingasecondsetofproposedupdatesbasedoncommentsbythemembershipwascirculatedtoUN-Oceansmembersforfurthercontributionsandcomments.DOALOS/OLAexpresseditsappreciationtoFAO,whohasindicatedthatitwillcontinuetobeabletohosttheUN-OceanswebsiteandcoverthecostofthechangesalreadyproposedinthedocumentcirculatedbyDOALOS/OLA.DOALOS/OLAalsothankedUNESCO(CultureSector)foritscommentsonthewebsiteanditskindoffertoassistintheupdateofthewebsite.DOALOS/OLAnotedthatsomechangestothestructureofthewebsitecouldbedesirabletoenhanceitsuserfriendlinessandthatotherproposedchangesincluderegularupdatestotheeventscalendar,andsuggestedthataprocedurebeestablishedsomemberscanprovidethisinformationonarollingbasis.Italsopresentedtheideaofa“learning”or“resources”section,compilinginformationaboutthevariouslearningopportunitiesprovidedbymembers,forexampleintheformoflinkstotheirrespectivepages.

88. UpontheinvitationoftheChair,UNESCO(CultureSector)presentedits

commentsontheUN-Oceanswebsiteemphasizingtheneedtomakethewebsitemorevisuallyappealing,includingbyaddingphotos.

89. WithrespecttothecompilationofUN-Oceansevents,severalmembers

suggestedusingelectronictools.FAOnotedthatitsnewcorporatewebsitehasamobileplatformthatmaycomewiththatfunctionality.ISAnotedthatconsiderationcouldalsobegiventodevelopinganappthroughwhichitwouldbepossibletosendalertsinadvanceofUN-Oceanseventsandmeetings.

90. SeveralmembersofUN-Oceansagreedthatmoreeffortneededtobemadeto

improveandmakethewebsitemorevisuallyappealing,includingthroughthe

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postingofphotos.Itwassuggestedthatthetaskbedelegatedtoacommunicationsofficer.FAOindicatedthatitwouldcheckwhatcouldbedonetoimprovethewebsitewhichitwaspleasedtohost.ItagreedthatthewebsitewasdatedduetoitslocationonthelegacywebsitesofthetechnicalofficesofFAO.

91. Withregardtocontent,membersofUN-Oceanssuggestedaddinganew

section/tabinthewebsiteonSDG14.IAEAalsosuggestedincludingamessageaboutSDG14bytheUNSecretary-General’sSpecialEnvoyfortheOcean.

92. TheChairsummarizedthenextstepsasfollows:FAOwouldinformUN-Oceans

astowhatcouldbedonewiththewebsiteofUN-Oceans.Basedonthatinformation,UN-Oceansmemberswouldbeaskedtovolunteertoestablishacommunicationsteamtoprovidesuggestionsonhowtomakethewebsitemorevisuallyappealing.Immediateupdatestothewebsiteintermsofcontentincludedthecorrections/updatesprovidedbyDOALOS/OLAandagreedtobythemembersofUN-OceansandtheinclusionofasectiononSDG14.Futureupdates,includingamessagefromtheUNSecretary-General’sSpecialEnvoyfortheOceanandsomeothers,couldbesubmittedtoDOALOS/OLAwhichwouldthensendthemtoFAO.

Actionpoint:FAOtofollowupastotheimprovementsthatmightfeasiblybemadetothewebsite,andreportbacktoUN-Oceansmembers.

Item11.UN-OceansWorkProgrammefor2018

93. UpontheinvitationoftheChair,DOALOS/OLAintroducedtheUN-Oceansdraftworkprogrammefor2018whichhadalsobeencirculatedtoallmembersforcomments.ItnotedthatitwasimportantforUN-OceanstocontinueitspracticeofpresentingtothenextmeetingoftheUNOpen-endedInformalConsultativeProcessonOceansandtheLawoftheSeaaworkprogrammeforthisyearuntiltheGeneralAssemblyhasreviewedtheTORsofUN-Oceans.

94. Inintroducingthedraftworkprogramme,DOALOS/OLAhighlightedthatthe

mainsectionsA,B,CandDremainedthesameandstemmedfromtheUN-OceansTORs(mostlyparagraph2ofresolution68/70),butthatupdateshadbeenincluded,aswellasnewelements,forexampletheimportanceofcollaboratingwithIOC-UNESCOfollowingtheadoptionbytheGeneralAssemblyofaDecadeofOceanScience,aswellasOceanConferencerelateddevelopments.

95. IAEAproposedaddingtotheworkprogrammesupporttotheUNSecretary-

General’sSpecialEnvoyfortheOceaninthedischargeofhismandate.96. UN-OHRLLShighlightedtheInterregionalmeetingforallsmallislanddeveloping

States,inordertoundertakeareviewofprogressintheimplementationofthe

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SamoaPathway,coordinatedbyDESAandUN-OHRLLS,forinclusionundersectionA.2.

97. TheChairrequestedDOALOS/OLAtoamendthedraftworkprogrammefor

2018toreflecttheproposalsthathadbeenmade.TherevisedversioniscontainedinannexIIItothisreport.

Item12.Exchangeofinformation

98. TheChairinvitedDOALOS/OLAtointroducethisagendaitem.DOALOS/OLAprovidedinformationonthemeetingsoftheBBNJIntergovernmentalConference;theRegularProcess;theinformalconsultationsofStatesPartiestotheUNFishStocksAgreementandthemeetingoftheUNOpen-endedInformalConsultativeProcessonOceansandtheLawoftheSea.ItalsoinformedUN-Oceansthatin2019,DOALOS/OLAandUNDPwouldbeco-hostingthe50thanniversarymeetingofGESAMPinNewYork.

99. UNESCO(CultureSector)informedUN-OceansthatItalyhadnotifiedUNESCO

ofthediscoveryofseveralhighlythreatenedunderwaterculturalheritagesitesontheSkerkiBanks,locatedintheareasbeyondnationaljurisdictionbetweenSicilyandSardinia(Italy)andthecoastofTunisia.Italydeclareditsinterestinbeingconsultedregardingthediscovery.StatesPartiestothe2001ConventionontheProtectionofUnderwaterCulturalHeritagehavebeeninvitedbyUNESCOtodeclaretheirowninterestinbeingconsultedinhowtoensuretheeffectiveprotectionofthesites.AllStatesthathaveexpressedsuchinterestwillberequestedtoworktogetheronthebestwaytoprotectthesearchaeologicalsites.

100. UNEPindicatedthatKenyahadrequesteditsassistancewiththepreparations

foritsConferenceonSustainableBlueEconomyinNovember2018andproposedtoworkthroughUN-Oceansinthatregard.ItalsoproposedtosolicittheviewsofUN-OceansmembersinthepreparationoftheUNEPmarineandcoastalstrategy.

101. IOC-UNESCOinformedUN-Oceansmembersthatitwasorganizingasideevent

togetherwithBelgiumandNauruon“ThePotentialInterlinkagesbetweentheOceanScienceDecadeandtheBBNJProcess”on16AprilduringtheorganizationalmeetingoftheBBNJIntergovernmentalConference.

102. UN-Oceansmembersagreedtoholdthenextface-to-facemeetingduringthe

BBNJIntergovernmentalConferenceinSeptember2018.103. WMOofferedtohosttheface-to-facemeetingin2019atitsheadquartersin

Geneva.

Actionpoint:DOALOSwilladviseUN-Oceansmembersonwhatdatethenextface-to-facemeetingwillbeheldduringtheBBNJIntergovernmentalConference.

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Item13.Wrapupandclosureofthemeeting

104. TheChairinquiredifamemberofUN-Oceanswishedtobringtotheattentionofthemeetinganyothermatter.Thatnotbeingthecase,theChairexpressedhisgratitudetoDOALOS/OLAforthepreparationandsupporttothemeeting,aswellasUN-Oceansmembersfortheirparticipation.

105. DOALOS/OLAindicatedthatareportwouldbepreparedandsenttoUN-OceansmembersfortheirquickreviewandapprovalonceithadbeenclearedbytheChair.

106. UN-OceansmembersthankedMr.VladimirRyabininforchairingthemeeting

andthewarmandgeneroushospitalityofferedbyhimandtheIOC-UNESCO.

107. TheChairthankedtheparticipantsanddeclaredclosedtheseventeenthmeetingofUN-Oceans.

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