WOC to Convene Business Forum on Ocean Policy and Planning

SAVE THE DATE: September 28-30, 2014, New York City

Ocean governance, policy and planning developments are occurring at an increasing pace at national, regional and international levels - with significant implications for ocean business. Unfortunately, ocean industries are often not aware of - much less engaged in - these processes critical to their future.

The World Ocean Council (WOC) will convene a Business Forum on Ocean Policy and Planning to address the need for the ocean business community to be more informed and proactively involved in marine policy and planning activities affecting ocean economic activity.

The WOC Business Forum on Ocean Policy and Planning (28-30 September, 2014, New York City) will bring together representatives of oil and gas, shipping, seafood, fisheries, aquaculture, mining, renewable energy, ocean science and technology, maritime law, marine environmental services and other sectors of the diverse ocean business community.

Planning for the Business Forum has begun and more information on the program will be available soon. Please set aside the dates for this important event.

The WOC welcomes the participation of the international ocean business community as well as representatives from the non-ocean business community interested in working with the private sector towards responsible and effective ocean policy and planning.

The WOC is monitoring, analyzing and reporting on the ocean policy and planning developments affecting responsible ocean business activities and has usually been the only private sector entity involved in these processes.

At the international level, critical ocean policy arenas include UN negotiations on a new "Implementing Agreement" for the Law of the Sea, the UN Biodiversity in Areas Beyond National Jurisdiction (BBNJ) discussions, the UN Sustainable Development Goals development, and the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD). It is important to ensure that ocean industries are informed and constructively engaged in these processes, and that ocean policy and planning efforts have full and balanced information from ocean economic operators.

Ocean business community representatives are invited to participate in the WOC Business Forum's Program Committee which will be developing the technical program including the Forum Goals, Expected Outcomes and Program/Format/Sessions.

Please indicate your interest in participating on the Program Committee for the Business Forum on Ocean Policy and Planning by emailing Leslie-Ann McGee la.mcgee@oceancouncil.org prior to 10 April 2014.