VIVAnews - The United Nations has set the coming World Ocean Conference (WOC), which will be held by between 11 and 15 May 2009 in Manado, as the world's schedule.
Soen'an H Poernomo, Head of Center for Data, Statistics, and Information at Maritime and Fisheries Department, said Indonesia must be proud for successfully bringing forth issue on maritime affairs globally. "For 27 years, issues on maritime affairs have been marginalized by global community," he said on Tuesday, March 17.
The ocean conference is a challenge for Indonesia to be on-stage as one of the leading countries concerning the global maritime issue. 121 countries are planning to attend the conference. "It is expected that all countries agree on the Manado Ocean Declaration (MOD)," he said. The follow-up of the conference will be the establishment of a global organization called World Ocean Forum.
Poernomo explained that the ocean plays a crucial role in absorbing carbon, a substance which triggers global warming and causes thousands of islands to drown. "It is estimated that around 2,000 islands in Indonesia will disappear and submerge."
It is important to start early mitigation before it is too late. In addition to global warming, the poor condition of the ocean will be one of the issues discussed in the conference. "For example, irresponsible maritime exploitation, pollution, and sea disaster and the poverty in coastal people," he added.
Secretary to Coordinating Ministry of Public Welfare Indroyono Soesilo said that the idea to hold the ocean conference was brought up because the United Nations has rarely discussed issues on ocean rescue.
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Translated by: Ariyantri E. Tarman
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