World Ocean Forum @ BEXCO

Date: 

Monday, November 15, 2010 - 10:00

Location: 

Event Type: 

From: http://www.wof.kr

Nov. 15. 2010 (Mon.) ~ Nov. 17. 2010 (Wed.)
BEXCO, Busan, Republic of Korea

- Ministry of Land, Transport and Maritime Affairs
- The Organizing Committee for EXPO 2012 Yeosu Korea
- Busan Metropolitan City
- Organizing Committee for World Ocean Forum 2010
- Marine Industry and Technology Organization

Organizing Committee for World Ocean Forum 2010

English


The World is facing an era of growing uncertainties and merciless challenges in the fields of climate change and ocean. The oceans, a pivotal element in climate change, and close to half of the world’s population living in coastal area will suffer seriously from ocean warming, sea level rise, ice melting, vulnerable bio-diversity, and ocean acidification. The ocean and the climate are so inextricably linked that without taking both of them into consideration, agreements to reach plans for climate change mitigation and adaptation actions in the future cannot be hammered out. Oceans Day at Copenhagen in 2009 highlights the needs to focus on oceans, coasts, and SIDS in the climate negotiations beyond Copenhagen.

The “Living Planet Report” recently warns that the world is heading for what is called an “ecological credit crunch,” a situation far worse than the current financial crisis, as humans are using 30% more resources than the Earth is able to recover each year.

The oceans, which are essential and crucial to humanity and the world economy, are limited resources. Nevertheless, we have already overexploited our marine resources.

Under the theme of “The Living Ocean and Coast,” the Expo 2012 Yeosu Korea will surely be an opportunity to show hopes for humankind through sustainable development of the ocean and coast, to produce new growth engine for economic development and to achieve revitalization of the coastal regions.

Thus, World Ocean Forum 2010 under the theme of “Climate Change & Ocean Challenge - Towards the Era of a blue Economy,” as well as the International Symposium on Expo 2012 Yeosu will pave the way for reassessing global efforts to share best experiences and wisdoms on climate change and ocean challenge.