Download (SPC) The - Yeosu Project

Ⅲ. Opening Remarks
Moses John AMOS
Director of Fisheries, Aquaculture and Marine Ecosystems Division
Secretariat of the Pacific Community (SPC)
The role of the Secretariat of the Pacific Community
in the management of the Pacific Fisheries
1. Introduction:
There are 30,000 islands scattered across the Pacific Ocean. These islands which are
divided into twenty-two Pacific Island Countries and Territories (PICTs), make up the
island membership of the Pacific Community, and are a diverse group in terms of
economic and social conditions. What they have in common is that all are islands
surrounded by large areas of the Pacific Ocean and they have jurisdiction over significant
areas of this ocean through their Exclusive Economic Zones (EEZs). These zones cover
an area of almost 30 million square kilometres which is sixty times larger than their total
land area, which is estimated to be 0.5 million square kilometres, and inhabited by over 9
million people. All derive significant economic and social benefits from their marine
resources, with many coastal communities depending on these resources for their
livelihoods. Several have large and important freshwater fisheries. All identify their living
aquatic resources (for fisheries, aquaculture and non-extractive uses mainly related to
tourism) as a major opportunity.
Nearly all tourism destinations in the Pacific region are on the sea, and the coral reefs and
their fish populations provide a powerful tourist attraction. Specialised diving and fishing
holidays bring in large numbers of tourists, and provide a regular stream of visitors to
locations which may lack more sophisticated attractions and infrastructure.
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1.1 Coastal fisheries
Although small in volume and value compare to oceanic fisheries, the coastal fisheries
provide most of the non-imported fish supplies to the PICTs and hence have a crucial role
in food security and community livelihoods. The catch from coastal fisheries is estimated
at 155,000 mt per year, with a value of US$320–500 million, with most of these earnings
going directly or indirectly to coastal communities. Almost all people in PICTs live on the
coast where entire communities are involved in fishing. Due to limited livestock
production and limited prospects for agriculture on the smaller islands, most PICTs
depend heavily on coastal marine species for protein for human consumption. Annual percapita seafood consumption in some remote atolls is over 150 kg, which is above the
global average; and in several small island countries the figures are among the highest in
the world whilst other agriculturally oriented PICTs consume over 30 kg of marine
protein per person per year. There is a diversity of catch in coastal fisheries resources
comprising of over 500 species for some PICTs.
1.2 Oceanic fisheries
The oceanic fisheries resources of the Pacific region include tunas, billfish and by-catch
obtained during the capture of tuna. Production from the Pacific region has grown rapidly
since the 1950s, and reached a catch of over 2.6 million tonnes in 2013 for the four main
tuna species alone (skipjack, yellowfin, bigeye and albacore), with landed value of over
US$6 billion, of which over US$3 billion from fish taken in PICTs EEZs. Although
domestic fleets are growing, most of the catch of offshore (tuna) fisheries is taken by
foreign based vessels and destined for export. The EEZs of PICTs provide around 60% of
the global supply of tuna for canning, contributing a healthy, easily stored and relatively
low-cost protein food to the world. This sector also makes a significant contribution to
Pacific Island food supplies, particularly in urban centres, as well as providing
employment (over 15,000 jobs) and government revenue.
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2. The Role of SPC in the Pacific Fisheries
The role of the Secretariat of the Pacific Community (SPC) in the management of the
Pacific fisheries resources reflects the overall mission of the SPC - to help Pacific Island
people position themselves to respond effectively to the challenges they face and make
informed decisions about their future and the future they wish to leave for the generations
that follow. Much of the work involve providing the information needed to make
informed decisions on aquatic resource management and development, and helping to
provide the tools and strengthen the capacity needed to implement those decisions.
2.1 Oceanic fisheries
In the oceanic fishery, SPC plays a vital and important role in providing technical and
scientific support services to its members and the broader region on oceanic fisheries. The
mandate spans data collection (including training fishery observers); data management;
research into the biology and ecology of the broader ecosystem within which the tunas
exist (including potential climate change impacts); and population modeling to estimate
the health of the regions oceanic resources, their capacity to support fishing, and the
implications of potential management measures.
SPC also provides scientific services to the Western and Central Pacific Fisheries
Commission (WCPFC), to ensure the best possible basis for decisions; as well as assisting
PICT members – both in meeting their obligations as Commission members, and
providing them with the scientific basis to analyse their own national interests. SPC works
closely with the Pacific Islands Forum Fisheries Agency (FFA), the Parties to the Nauru
Agreement (PNA) and subregional groups of its member countries in their efforts to
develop a coordinated position on WCPFC issues, based on providing the best possible
scientific advice.
SPC is playing an increasing role in analysing and helping to mitigate the effects of tuna
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fisheries on non-target species, working with other regional agencies where applicable.
This is important not only for conservation of some threatened and endangered species;
but also to address public opinion and retain overseas markets for tuna from the region. In
the struggle against illegal, unregulated and unreported (IUU) fishing, SPC activities in
developing databases and building observer programmes provide its members with
important tools they can use against IUU threat to their fisheries resources.
2.2 Coastal fisheries
SPC provides scientific and management support services to PICTs in management of
their coastal fisheries, sustainable development of near-shore resources, and all aspects of
aquaculture. The focus is on simple and robust management tools, as well as the
development of national capacity to monitor the status of key coastal fisheries resources.
In the area of coastal fisheries development, it is recognised that economic development
based on fisheries resources remains a priority for many PICTs, although the opportunities
for increased catches from existing lagoon and reef fisheries are limited. SPC places
emphasis on developing alternative fisheries, based on robust resources such as skipjack
tuna, and adding to the value of existing catches through better handling, processing and
export markets. Recreational fishing, particularly associated with tourism, also provides
economic opportunities that do not threaten the resource in some PICTs.
Aquaculture has considerable potential in many PICTs. Demand for fish by increasing
populations in the PICTs is projected to outstrip the ability of several island nations‘
coastal fisheries to supply fish needed. The need to strengthen coastal fisheries
management systems to maintain fish supply is important but this may not be sufficient.
Therefore the need to provide additional production from aquaculture is essential to meet
anticipated fish supply shortfalls. In addressing this issue, SPC provides services to
enhance the role of the PICTs communities through aquaculture to bring into perspective
a community based aquaculture approach to address the shortfall in the supply of fish for
food security and livelihoods.
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2.3 Capacity building and supplementation
SPC identifies the development of human resources in its member countries and
territories (capacity building) and the direct provision of access to specialised expertise
(capacity supplementation) as core business of the organisation. In both the coastal and
oceanic fisheries, training is focused on the development of skills to analyse and interpret
the results of stock assessments, to assist countries in developing appropriate management
measures.
3. Relevance of the Yeosu Declaration to SPC’s role in the Pacific Fisheries
The role of SPC to help Pacific Island people position themselves to respond effectively
to the challenges they face and make informed decisions about their future and the future
they wish to leave for the generations that follow provides an ideal and a relevant entry
point for:
(i) The Yeosu Declaration, which calls for increased assistance to developing nations
through development assistance and investment, as well as international
cooperation projects; and,
(ii) The Yeosu Project, the arm to implement the Declaration, which is designed to
provide developing nations, including small island developing states (SIDS), with
capacity building support in addressing their ocean-related concerns and
sustainably utilizing their marine resources through development assistance and
investment, professional training, and, knowledge-transfer in collaborations with
international and/or regional organizations.
4. Conclusion
Establishment of a formal cooperation between the Yeosu Project and the Secretariat of
the Pacific Community would be a positive step forward in translating the Yeosu
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declaration into action.
The cooperation will have a huge and positive impact on 22 Pacific islands countries that
are active members of SPC and positively draw the Pacific island nations‘ attention to the
importance of the Yeosu Project.
5. Acknowledgement
SPC wishes to acknowledge with gratitude, the invitation by Mr. Shin, Pyung-shik,
Chairman of the EXPO 2012 Yeosu Korea Foundation, to participate as a member of the
High-Level Roundtable Panel for the Yeosu Project during the Yeosu International Ocean
Forum 2014. Appreciation is extended to the organisers of the Yeosu International Ocean
Forum 2014 for making it financially possible for SPC‘s participation.
SPC further wishes to acknowledge with gratitude the positive contribution by
Ambassador Seong In kim in engaging positive dialogues and collaboration with SPC in
areas concerning ocean and geo-thermal energy. SPC looks forward to continued
enhancement of the collaboration.
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Ⅲ. Opening Remarks
Seung-cheol Baik
Senior Reporter
News 1
First of all, I would like to acknowledge the four years of efforts and outcomes.
I believe that marine debris is one of the most pressing agenda for marine and coastal
projects in developing states, including the Yeosu Project. Especially, in the case of
micro plastic, marine developments in developing states should ponder about these
issues all together as they are considered as severe marine pollutants.
In addition, supporting projects for the improvement of marine environment should be
conducted in Indian and South Pacific Ocean as the Republic of Korea‘s fishery
industries are dependent on island states in these regions.
In order to achieve this goal, the government has to secure a funding source. Also,
hosting of exhibitions with local communities would help raise awareness of the
general public. Also, a close cooperation with the Korea International Cooperation
Agency (KOICA) is needed.
On the other note, we should start think about the territorial seas in North Korea. I
heard that the Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries and the Food and Agriculture
Organization of the United Nations are searching viable aquaculture sites in North
Korean seas.
However, the Government is having difficulties due to the relationship between the
North and South Korea‘s political conflicts. I suggest a private sector‘s involvement
and cooperation for more efficient outcomes.
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Ⅲ. Opening Remarks
Adoté Blim BLIVI
Professor
University of Lomé
The African countries progresses become sure and economic and human development are
fundamentally based on marine and coast planning hence many cities and population
along the coasts are increasing.
Ocean observations are a gap into research program developed by marine and coast
research centers. Ocean observations shall be a permanent system for observations,
modeling and analysis of marine and coast variables to support operational oceanography
and applications services.
The need is very high for African countries along Atlantic, Indian Ocean and
Mediterranean Sea, grouping into large marine ecosystem, to develop capacities for
working on the present state of ocean and sea by forecasting and predicting future
conditions of the ocean and the sea, including sea level rise.
Operational oceanography component is also great issue. The need of research vessel to
support few existing material and research boats in few countries is a great question for
developing countries.
Yeosu project has to face far ahead as possible to support initiative combining all partners
involving in marine and coast research, particularly in Africa.
The new approach is to incorporate National Navy into the process of operational
oceanography. Each country has minimum allowing transportation of marine equipment
to be installed in deep or shallow sea, navy officers can doing follow up and can assure
the maintenance of buoys transferring data to research centers for analysis and products to
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be used by all end users, particularly decision makers. In the frame of this approach
providing equipment for collecting data is main request to be examined with force and
rapidity by Yeosu project.
The approach aims to integrate ocean observing system as routinely and continuously
system providing quantity data for regional nodes covering Atlantic, Indian Ocean and
Mediterranean Sea.
The Africa Union Commission planned to organize in Lomé, Togo, October 2015 Head of
States Summit on Maritime Security and Economic Development; great event and
opportunity to Yeosu project to cease the high level platform to expose contributions to
marine and coast research in Africa by demonstration network established with
IOCAFRICA Sub Commission and by providing buoys and reception equipment of data.
In 2012, Yeosu Declaration built serious ambitious for coastal countries in right way to
develop strong policy for marine and coast planning. In this veine, Africa countries have
started considering all aspects, ocean sciences and security hence observations and
operational oceanography are pillars for economy increasing by oil and gas research and
shipping and related maritime transport activities.
Yeosu project will cease also the future planning of African coast cities and ports vision
2050 in Eastern Atlantic. Government, Ocean Sciences and Economic sectors can join
their efforts for better integration face to coastal erosion and sea level rise impacts in view
of sustainability of coastal society.
Thanks for your attention.
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Sang-kyung BYUN
Chairman
Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission (UNESCO/IOC)
The Yeosu Declaration called for international cooperation projects and strengthening
assistance to developing nations. The Yeosu Project is aiming at providing developing
nations with the support of capacity building in ocean related issues through professional
training and technology-transfer, as an important legacy of the International Exposition
Yeosu Korea 2012. In this regard, the Yeosu Project is one of the practical elements that
can directly translate the spirit of the Yeosu Declaration into action.
The Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission (IOC) of UNESCO is the sole UN
organization specializing in ocean related science, services and capacity development.
IOC has been carrying out this function since its establishment in 1960. The IOC
recognizes strongly that capacity development and transfer of technology are keys for
effective ocean management and governance. The IOC focuses on promoting such
capacity development and voluntary transfer of technology to its member states
(particularly, Africa, LDCs and SIDS) in order to empower them with the knowledge and
skills to benefit and manage oceans and coasts in an equitable and sustainable way.
IOC's activity in contributing to sound scientific research, systematic observations, and
reliable services for effective management of human activities in marine and coastal areas
is a key factor for sustainable use of the oceans. If we combine the spirit of Yeosu Expo
with the function of IOC, Yeosu Project will be able to achieve its goal of capacity
development in oceanic issues. IOC is currently composed of 147 member states from all
over the world and therefore it can provide stewardship for international cooperation
projects to bridge the gaps between donor and acceptors. Close collaboration of Yeosu
Project with IOC cannot be too emphasized.
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Ⅲ. Opening Remarks
Sang-gug CHEON
Chairman
Global Agenda 21 Yeosu Branch
The Yeosu Declaration and its implementing program ―Yeosu Project‖ were an important
commitment that the Prime Minister of the Republic of Korea made before the world
when hosting the EXPO 2012 Yeosu Korea. It was later delivered at the closing ceremony
of the EXPO by the Prime Minister of Tuvalu, a symbolic representative of developing
countries, and thus we cannot avoid the responsibility to fulfill the commitment.
In the time between 2010 and 2013, the 24 R&D and educational training programs
carried as pilot projects have made some achievements in support for developing
maritime countries. However, they seem to have failed to bring a substantial and visible
improvement to economic conditions or the quality of life, and to the nationals of the
beneficiary countries they were merely temporary subjects of research and education.
Developing maritime countries, most of which lack accumulated technologies and capital,
are more interested in hardware, for practically raising incomes and forming industries,
rather than software, such as long-term research and education projects. I think, while the
pilot projects have provided somewhat unspecific and abstract research services, the
experiences and technologies retained and accumulated in Korea—if they apply to target
countries‘ industrial facilities based in marine environments—will be more helpful and
practical to the beneficiaries.
Unlike KOICA, a support system to ensure the inhabitants of lagging regions enjoy basic
living, the Yeosu Project stepping at a full scale will show the best outcomes when focused on
supporting small-scale environmental facilities, and inviting experts and technicians from
developing countries to Korea to transfer technology to them. I hope the research services
that have been and that will be provided will continue to keep their worth.
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Finally, the success of an Expo depends on the development of the host city, as the BIE
Secretary General and many other leaders in Expo tasks pointed out. Just as we have
conducted research on other Expo host cities, so all global citizens around the world will
take an interest in the EXPO 2012 Yeosu Korea, not only in regard to the course of the
Expo during its period, but also to the site‘s ongoing utilization and whether it will result
as a good example of a successful local community development.
The fund directly invested in the Expo in Yeosu should be a seed fund for the
development of the local community rather than a one-time expense. Thus, we have to
make sure that the investment functions as a long-term reserved fund and do not become a
sunk cost.
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Ⅲ. Opening Remarks
Kwang-sik CHOI
Professor
Jeju National University (JNU)
The Yeosu Project has been carried out as an extension of the EXPO 2012 Yeosu Korea to
operate a number of support programs to solve marine environmental problems in
developing countries all over the world and to develop their fishery industries. And now
we have arrived at a point where we need to evaluate its outcomes and deliberate on how
to apply them.
Compared to the Republic of Korea, Southeast Asian and South Pacific countries retain
insufficient infrastructures of higher education on oceanography. For this reason, even if
the project establishes programs for solving marine related problems and fishery industry
development, they will experience a difficulty in the use and operation of the programs.
Therefore, Korea should offer opportunities for higher education to grow professional
human resources in the target countries who are to operate the programs. As a means of
ensuring that this becomes a reality, I recommend inviting young oceanographic scientists
to Korean graduate schools with oceanographic related courses available, and after
earning their master and doctoral degrees to return them to their own countries, where
they will operate the programs developed by the Yeosu Project. For this, a financial
framework of the Ministry of Maritime Affairs and Fisheries is needed to operate a human
resource cultivation program, similar to the Sea Grant Program, for ensuring young
scientists from overseas countries undertake graduate school courses with stability.
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Young-ho CHOI
Professor (Emeritus)
Republic of Korea Naval Academy (KNA)
Yeosu Project! Transnational Plan for Realizing Justice in the Age of Globalization
There is a rainbow in a drop of water. The "Yeosu Declaration," read by Willy Telavi,
Prime Minister of Tuvalu, which faced the crisis of submergence in last 2012, was a
transnational declaration that transcended the cognitive frame of nationals and countries
and aimed at the realization of justice in the age of globalization. The "Yeosu Project,"
which was delivered after this, was a proposal for friendly dialogue that would overcome
the limits of exclusive nationalism. The proposal had the potential to bring about
cooperation that, though small, would inevitably be helpful, going beyond the abstract
concept of humanism by considering specific social relationships.
The Yeosu Declaration presented a fundamental recognition of the ocean, emphasized our
reflective consciousness and sense of responsibility regarding frivolous use, mentioned
the sustainable preservation and use of maritime resources that are a basis of coexistence
and prosperity of human beings, and urged the active participation and cooperation of the
international society for solving the intensifying maritime related problems. Based on this,
the suggestions made by the Yeosu Project provided a place for transnational discussion
and set an example for practicing a multidimensional approach that would activate
cooperative policies and institutions from various countries.
How can we protect and preserve the ocean in order to realize the global community‘s
coexistence? Can the government and legislators of each country prioritize ocean-related
policies based on the ―all-affected principle‖ when there is an institutional strategy? Of
course, the ―all-affected principle‖ seems to be a much idealized principle, but not all
people can participate in settling all matters. Moreover, it is difficult to confirm the
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affected range. So, we offer an alternative of limiting the range of stakeholders to those in
direct subordination to decisions of matters concerned and those whose lives are
significantly affected by the decisions. This alternative is a method of supporting the
solution that focuses on the beneficiaries and seeks for appropriate feedback and plans.
What should be noted here is that all people affected are from different cultures and
therefore are in different economic and political situations.
As a specific project plan, the Yeosu Project supports developing countries appropriately
and presents them with the ability to solve maritime related problems independently,
reflecting the will to see justice realized incorporated in the Yeosu Declaration. Tangible
accomplishments will overcome the criticisms that argue these kinds of plans are
normative discussions that do not reflect reality. These accomplishments also will lift
current maritime issues from being merely matters of ―national interest‖ and to diagnose it
as a mutual problem that should be solved by the global community. As a result, the
perspective should shift inwards again and extend awareness towards other global
problems. The direct approach is to find solutions for maritime related problems in
developing countries, but other global pathological situations should be diagnosed anew.
Ultimately, this is a comprehensive response with the purpose of "thinking globally and
practicing locally," in order to find solutions for complex and multidimensional maritime
related problems that concern "the quality of human life". Furthermore it is an attempt to
realize global justice that transcends the frame of individual countries and their nationals.
We expect that the will for planning the Yeosu Project would lead to practical support
policies desired by beneficiaries, and that its accomplishments will spread to all directions
just as small droplets gather together to make a wonderful rainbow.
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Chin-seung CHUNG
Director
APEC Climate Center (APCC)
The damages from extreme weather events and climate change are projected to increase
dramatically in the coming decades. In addition, the combination and interaction of
geographic, economic, and environmental factors are expected to make the coastal regions
of Least Developed Countries (LDCs) and Small Island Developing States (SIDS)
particularly sensitive to climate change.
The need for LDCs and SIDS to set proper disaster management plans based on the
climate information and forecasts cannot be emphasized enough. However, most of these
countries lack technical and financial capacity to do it. In this respect, the Yeosu Project
designed to conduct studies, research and development, and educational activities in
cooperation with global research institutes and international organizations related to the
climate, ocean and environment is very meaningful and timely.
Cooperation among these institutions needs to be approached based on the following
standards. First, cooperation should be based on articulated needs of LDCs and SIDS and
aligned with their development priorities. Second, the projects should be implemented
under close collaboration and with the endorsement of national or local government in
LDCs and SIDS. Third, those projects should be continuous to support the sustainable
growth in those countries.
The vision of APCC strives to strengthen scientific and technological cooperation across
the APEC region to help economies and societies deal effectively with the consequences
of climate-related hazards. APCC is now extending its network to the South Pacific region
as well. We are providing state-of-the-art climate information, facilitating interdisciplinary
research for climate-related disaster management, and also engaging in various capacity
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building and training exercises, especially targeting developing countries. APCC will fully
support the Yeosu Project and is ready to collaborate with LDCs and SIDS in need.
Thank You.
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Young-hoon CHUNG
President
National Fisheries Research and Development Institute (NFRDI)
On the Developmental Direction of the Yeosu Project
Today, I propose an implementation plan for ―Green Growth from the Sea,‖ which was
presented as the vision of the Yeosu Declaration at the closing ceremony of the Expo 2012
Yeosu Korea. The plan contains the use and management of sustainable coastal areas and
the transfer of advanced fishery technologies to developing countries to ensure the
wellbeing of all mankind.
1. Development and use of fishery resources based in coastal ecosystems
Yeosu is a model fishery city whose coast, endowed with natural beauties perfect for
marine tourism, provides a bountiful supply of marine products in all seasons.
Unfortunately, its environmental conditions are being damaged due to urbanization and
interference from neighboring industrial complexes. Therefore, there needs to be a marine
production model that is sustainable and able to remedy those damages. The requirements
of this model are as follows:
First, Yeosu‘s coastal areas should be designated as blue belts, subject to systematic
management. This requires an extension of the wastewater purifying facilities installed at
industrial complexes along with tightening regulations on discharged water, and an
extension of safe berthing accommodations as well as a quick clean-up system to be
established. In addition, an eco-friendly aquaculture system for a supply of marine foods
should be built. Currently, the Korean Government has designated 7 coastal bays as blue
belts to be the supply areas of unspoiled marine products that guarantee food safety. The
Bay of Gagak surrounding Yeosu has been already designated as a blue belt, and the Bay
of Yeoja is being investigated as the next possible candidate.
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Second, a constant environmental monitoring scheme should be established, along with
an early detection system that monitors marine accidents such as pollution, red tides or
their causes. Implementing this scheme will mean that problems can be handled swiftly
before accidents occur or get worse. It will serve as a foundation to continue to seek the
values represented in the three topics of the Yeosu Expo: ―Coastal Development and
Preservation,‖ ―New Resources Technology,‖ and ―Creative Maritime Activities.‖
2. Transfer of advanced fishery technologies to developing countries, which results in
an increase in the production of marine foods and generation of employment
opportunities
Surrounded by the sea, Korea has long had a large supply and demand of marine products,
and its fishery technologies are exceedingly advanced. In collaboration with the Korea
International Cooperation Agency and the National Fisheries Research & Development
Institute, Korea has provided its advanced technologies for the harvesting of marine
products such as shrimps and oysters to the African countries Algeria, Senegal, and
Tunisia since 2007. Additionally, as a part of a support project of the Yeosu Expo, it
transferred food validity investigation technology to Tanzania, Guatemala, and Sri Lanka.
Among those support activities, a project that established a shrimp nursery in the Sahara
Desert, Algeria and transferred related technologies is recognized as successful example.
The Republic of Korea joined in the OECD Development Assistance Committee in 2009,
and since then it has made efforts to contribute to the prosperity of all mankind, with a
plan to expand the amount of ODA to 0.25% of the GNI by 2015. For this, Korea needs to
transfer its advanced fishery technologies to developing countries and support them so
that food harvested from the sea might act as solution for food shortage caused by rapid
population growth, as set forth in the Yeosu Declaration.
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Yun-su HA
Professor
Korea Maritime and Ocean University (KMOU)
The primary purpose of this Forum is for reviewing the achievements and significance of
the ―Yeosu Declaration.‖ The declaration is a product of the Expo 2012 Yeosu Korea. The
theme of the expo was ―The Living Ocean and Coast,‖ as well as the ―Yeosu Project,‖ a
program designed to support developing countries, thus enabling the Yeosu Declaration to
be put into practice in a concrete manner.
As a result, it is a priority of this forum to present the future direction of the Yeosu Project
by seeking a continuous and productive method of support for developing countries
through a re-examination of the pilot projects, which have been conducted as a part of the
Yeosu Project.
The Yeosu Project was conducted with a total budget of 8 billion KRW through its 24
supporting pilot projects: educational training projects to nurture professional human
resources for solving problems specifically pertaining to the maritime environment of
developing countries; research development support projects for the improvement of the
maritime environment; the development of new maritime technology; and the
preservation and utilization of marine resources.
The discovery, selection, and post-support maintenance of targeted tasks had to be done
systematically in order to maximize the performance within the limited budget. However,
it is unfortunate that the selected tasks were conducted only as temporary with a small
budget and without a concrete long-term plan to help the beneficiary countries stand on
their own, which eventually led to an attitude of indifference.
Besides, the agencies that implemented the projects neglected project management and
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the promotion of the outcomes due to their lack of professionalism in the field and lack of
comprehension concerning the projects involved. It was critical to acquire a broad range
of systematic knowledge and technology in order to find the solution for problems caused
by the depletion of natural resources, an issue that is now a global concern. In regard to
this need, there seemed to be little effort given to attracting the international community to
participate in securing the budget.
Therefore, in order to ensure that the Yeosu Project‘s beneficiary countries grow as a part
of the international community and participate in the solving of maritime problems; first,
the Yeosu Project should include a long-term support plan that prepares the beneficiary
countries‘ independent foundation; second, a system must be established by which the
international society can continue to monitor and expand the outcomes of the supported
tasks; and third, efforts need to be made to attract the participation of the international
society, including a plan funded by international maritime organizations in the process of
securing the budget, in consideration of the need for the durability of the project as well as
contribution to the international society.
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Gi-hoon HONG
President
Korea Institute of Ocean Science and Technology (KIOST)
Many developing maritime countries retain natural ecological resources. Among them,
marine life inhabiting coral reefs or mangroves are exceedingly worth protecting. It is
important to evaluate biodiversity through DNA barcoding. I hope the Yeosu Project will
play a role in observation and research on ocean acidification, which is done by
monitoring change in the amount of CO2, as a part of the efforts to understand change in
biodiversity and the migration of organisms.
Island countries based on coral reefs lack aggregates to build infrastructural facilities.
Thus it is recommended to conduct geophysical surveys for evaluating the amount of
aggregate resources and their quality, and then to establish eco-friendly aggregate supply
plans. For this, the Yeosu Project may be helpful to organize collaboration with other
programs such as of SOPAC‘s GeoHabitat Mapping project.
At the Meeting of the Conference of the Parties to the Convention on Biological Diversity
and other forums, coastal countries are being advised to designate up to 10% of their sea
areas as marine protected areas (MPA) by 2020. KIOST‘s habitat mapping, hazardsmapping, and eco-mapping techniques will be useful to help developing countries set
valid MPA borders and establish effective management plans.
And KIOST‘s experience and knowhow in operational oceanography will advance the
monitoring of coastal seas and environmental changes in developing countries. Areas
likely to be affected by inundation can be effectively identified by a 3D-investigation of
costal geography, which enables those countries to prepare more valid measures. And
training programs for those counties to improve these monitoring and modeling
techniques should accompany these developments.
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KIOST has been carrying out the exploration of deep sea geological resources such as
hydrothermal deposits, and manganese nodules and pavements in Pacific regions for a
long time. I suggest that we consider co-operating educational programs with coastal
countries and confederations in Pacific regions, to share the knowledge gained in the
course of such a long-term exploration.
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Andrew HUDSON
Water and Ocean Governance Programme Head
United Nations Development Plan (UNDP)
The world‘s oceans provide vital protein for billions of people, regulate our climate and
produce the oxygen for one of every two breaths we take. The oceans represent 97% of
the water on earth, as well as 97% of the earth‘s biosphere by volume. Our oceans have
reached a critical turning point in human and arguably, the earth‘s history. In the span of
only a few hundred years, human activities have significant perturbed the oceans. Over
500 dead zones or hypoxic areas have been identified, driven by excess agricultural runoff and untreated wastewater and causing many tens of billions in economic damage.
Invasive marine species, mainly those transported in ship‘s ballast water and hulls,
threaten the integrity of many marine ecosystems and cost our global economy upwards
of $100 billion per year. Critical marine habitat – coral reefs, seagrasses, mangroves and
others that serves as breeding areas and nurseries for important fish stocks, as well as
significant carbon sinks, continue to be lost and degraded. Around 30 percent of global
fish stocks are depleted, another 50 percent fully exploited with only 15 to 20%
considered underexploited. Lastly, about 30% of all the fossil fuel CO2 humans release is
absorbed by the oceans, leading to a global trend of ocean acidification that has not
happened in at least 30 million years and threatens the basic existence of numerous microand macro-organisms that fix calcium carbonate in their structures and are the foundations
of many marine ecosystems.
It is easy to get very discouraged about the ocean‘s future when one repeatedly hears these
dire figures. However, there is ample room for hope and optimism. Work supported by
UNDP/GEF over the last twenty years has demonstrated that, with the proper level of
investment in creating and strengthening the necessary ‗enabling environment‘ of ocean
and coastal resource policies, regulations and institutions, ocean health can be restored.
The huge dead zone that once engulfed much of the NW shelf of the Black Sea and cost
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Ⅲ. Opening Remarks
the countries upwards of half a billion dollars a year, has been eliminated through a mix of
pollution reduction investments and policy implementation. The international community
has adopted and will soon begin to implement a global instrument aimed at significantly
reducing the risk of transfer of aquatic invasive species in ship‘s ballast water. The
countries and distance fishing nations of the West and Central Pacific have firmly
committed to manage their tuna fisheries, representing nearly one half the world‘s tuna
catch, in a sustainable manner using state-of-the-art compliance, monitoring and
enforcement tools based on the best science available on the Pacific ecosystem. Here in
East Asia, working through the PEMSEA programme, 10 countries have dramatically
advanced the piloting and scaling up of Integrated Coastal Management such that nearly
15 percent of the vast East Asian coastline is now under some form of ICM. Not far from
here in Yeosu, China and the Republic of Korea have made dramatic commitments to
restore the Yellow Sea Large Marine Ecosystem, by reducing pollution and overfishing,
preserving and restoring key habitat including through establishment of a regional MPA
network, and demonstrating and scaling up innovative approaches to integrated, multitrophic aquaculture.
Going forward, UNDP/GEF is committed to continue to play a major role in helping to
rebuild depleted fish stocks, reduce invasive species risk, reverse coastal hypoxia, and to
protect and restore vital coastal habitat, including through innovative mechanisms such as
Blue Carbon. UNDP/GEF is also working on a new initiative with the International
Maritime Organization to help the global shipping industry to minimize its climate
footprint through improved ship design and operation; this will in turn reduce shipping‘s
contribution to the challenge of ocean acidification.
UNDP welcomes the continuation of the Yeosu Project and looks forward to working and
coordinating with Yeosu stakeholders towards our common vision of a sustainable ocean
as articulated in the Yeosu Declaration. Thank you.
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Ⅲ. Opening Remarks
Geumhee JUNG
Chairwoman
Standing Committee of Yeosu Expo Facility Utilization
Because there has been little evidence of further application, there are many concerned
that the resolutions made at the EXPO 2012 Yeosu have been neglected. It is very
unfortunate that though it was thought to have expressed the greatest theme out of all
EXPOs that have been held so far, its ideals have not been actualized in reality.
Since 2009, when preparations were being made for the Yeosu Expo, I had conducted a
citizen‘s campaign for Yeosu to host the 2012 Conference of the Parties for the
Framework Convention on Climate Change in December after the Expo is over. There
were two reasons for this: One was that the theme of the Yeosu Expo, which was to
present the solution of climate change based on the ocean, exactly corresponded with the
goal of the Conference which became the biggest task for the human civilization. And the
other was that, because the Yeosu Expo‘s basic plan hardly contained a plan to use its
venue after the Expo was over, there needed consequent events and meetings to take place
at the site— I judged the Conference of the Parties was one of possible choices.
As a final result, my expectations were not met and the 2012 Conference of the Parties
was hosted in Qatar, and since then any further use of the Expo site has been held to a halt.
However, the spirit and heritage of the Expo have remained through the Yeosu
Declaration and the Yeosu Project, to hold us accountable to make sure they are fulfilled.
The Yeosu declaration is not a mere declaration but is an urgent task that must be
accomplished in order to address the climate crisis. Even if the Yeosu Expo did not take
place and thus no Yeosu Declaration was made, it would still be a task worth pursuing,
and a task that should have been carried out immediately.
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Ⅲ. Opening Remarks
I give my sincere plea to the UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon and BIE Secretary
General Vicente Loscertales. The two have vouched for this at the site where the Yeosu
Declaration was delivered. I request this declaration to be internationalized so that it will
not just stop as a declaration but be fulfilled in reality. Also, please urge the Korean
government to raise 100 billion KRW to fund for the Yeosu Project with an attitude of
responsibility that focuses on finding the solution of the climate change.
As a part of the related ideas, please connect the GCF based in Incheon with the Yeosu
Project for a realistic and effective utilization of the fund. On August 12, 2012, the Yeosu
Expo had its closing ceremony. But the challenge to realize the value of the Yeosu Expo
starts now. That is the spirit of the World Expo.
I wish, that by the year 2100, human civilization will have overcome the crisis of climate
change, and is able to enjoy an age of peace and coexistence, and recall this moment as
the following:
―There came a crisis that meant the end of human civilization, but after staying true to the
Yeosu Declaration delivered at the 2012 EXPO in Yeosu, we have normalized the climate
and opened the doors to the era of the ocean, thereby achieving today‘s happiness.‖
Thank You.
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Ⅲ. Opening Remarks
Hong-sun KIM
CEO
GeoSystem Research Corporation (GeoSR)
Lest the Korean Government lose credibility with international society, it should fulfill the
commitment it made to raise 100 million dollars of the Yeosu Project Fund.
In order to increase the effectiveness, impacts, and sustainability of the Yeosu Project
Fund, albeit limited, the selection and evaluation of main programs for the Yeosu Project
need to focus on whether each candidate program is willing or plans to apply its results to
the target countries‘ policy and finance.
The establishment of artificial islands may be a solution for territory that is sinking due to
climate change and sea level rise that small insular countries are currently facing. For this,
it is desirable for the Yeosu Project to involve a validity review, not only in its technical
aspects, but also in its diplomatic/economic aspects such as financing and intergovernmental economic cooperation. In order that an artificial island is self-sufficient, it
needs seawater desalination/energy/food production/farming/harbor facilities, in addition
to accommodation, for which state-of-the-art technologies are demanded as an essential
part of the future use and management of the ocean. The establishment of artificial islands
will have large effects on the steel and shipbuilding industries as well.
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Ⅲ. Opening Remarks
H.E. Seong-in KIM
Ambassador
Embassy of the Republic of Korea in the Republic of Fiji
I would like to express my deepest appreciation to the organizing committee of Yeosu
International Ocean Forum 2014 for their excellent preparation and efforts made for this
forum. The holding of Yeosu International Ocean Forum 2014 is significant in many ways.
Korea was able to make a successful bid to host Yeosu Expo in 2012 because the theme of
Yeosu Expo, "The Living Ocean and Coast", resonated well with small island developing
states in the world. In addition, Yeosu Project which Korea committed to the international
community to address coastal issues of developing nations helped win the votes of
member countries. Therefore, today's Yeosu International Ocean Forum serves as a
momentum to officially announce Korea's action plan on responding to the challenges of
small islands developing states to the world.
Internally, as it has been highlighted in Yeosu Declaration, today‘s forum could
demonstrate to Korea people that Korea's great ocean science technology and green ocean
industry could become a new growth engine of the country by addressing the challenges
of SIDS.
With this view, I would like to suggest how and where Yeosu Project should be allocated.
First of all, the recipient countries of Yeosu Project should be selected to meet the purpose
of the project. The Pacific Region has been receiving only 0.15% of Korea's ODA budget.
This small figure reflects our little interest or our lack of understanding and knowledge of
the region.
Yeosu Project should support countries where ocean is a means of living in line with the
theme of Yeosu Expo and the purpose of Yeosu Declaration, not the countries or region
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Ⅲ. Opening Remarks
which have little relevance to the spirit of Yeosu. In particular, the pacific region should
be given high priority considering that it consists of 22 island countries which are
regarded as most vulnerable to Climate Change.
Secondly, as for the area of the Project, it should focus on building Pacific Island
Countries' self-reliance. Yeosu Project should encourage income generation. The Pacific
Region supplies 20% of the seafood of the world and it also has rich marine mineral
resources which are expected to be able to replace land mineral resource in the near future.
In this context, Yeosu Project could place high priority on the research for conservation of
fisheries resource for sustainable fisheries or the research for ocean related legislation to
promote deep-sea mineral resources exploration.
Furthermore, it also needs to focus on developing the programme for strengthening
manufacturing capacity of island countries so that they can adapt to climate change. The
Pacific Island Countries do not have the capacity for manufacturing or processing raw
materials or mineral resources due to the lack of basic infrastructure for water, electricity
and energy. This leads to a vicious circle of creating low added-value and low income.
Yeosu Project needs to support feasibility study on the application of Korea‘s desalination
or renewable energy technology to the Pacific Island Countries. Ocean Thermal Energy
Conversion could be realized best in the Pacific Ocean where it has enough temperature
difference between cooler deep and warmer shallow or surface ocean waters. When this
technology becomes commercialized, it can produce electricity and clean water. In the
view of promoting Climate Change Adaptation and Green Energy, Yeosu Expo
Foundation as well as the Korean Government needs to facilitate the development and
wide use of OTEC technology.
Through secured water and electricity supply, it would be possible for the Pacific Island
Countries to operate the manufacturing facility and produce agricultural outcomes which
will contribute to food security. Besides, this would be mutually beneficial to Korea as it
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Ⅲ. Opening Remarks
will create national income and jobs through Korean companies‘ expansion to the Pacific
Region.
In concluding, I believe Yeosu Project should target Small Island Developing States,
especially, the ones in the Pacific Region. When Yeosu Project drives the advancement of
the Pacific island countries in the area of income generation and manufacturing capacity,
it can truly serve the spirit of Yeosu Declaration, respond to the member countries‘
support on successful bid to Yeosu Expo, and draw win-win result to build new growth
engines for both sides.
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Ⅲ. Opening Remarks
Suam KIM
Professor
Pukyong National University (PNU)
Human societies depend on various Ocean Ecosystem Services, especially Provisioning
Service such as fish and plants as a protein source. As a fishery scientist, I will focus on
food security issue today. By the mid-21st century, as AR5 of the IPCC indicated, many
fish stocks will show pole ward shift in distribution, which may result in the decrease in
fish production and local-extinction of fish species in tropical seas.
Regional unbalance of food supply would be more serious in the future. Hunger is the
world‘s No. 1 health risk, so that farmers and fishers must produce more food to feed
population. In 2012, capture fishery yields about 90 million MT and aquaculture
production was 67 million MT. Because the yield from capture fishery has stabilized since
1990s, the increased portion of fisheries was mainly from aquaculture. For example, total
aquaculture productions in 2000 and 2010 were about 30 and 60 million MT, respectively,
so that productions became double within 10 years.
From the FAO statistics, we easily realize that the distribution of aquaculture production is
much unbalanced geographically. High growth of aquaculture production depends on the
achievement of China, which occupies more than 60% of World‘s aquaculture production.
Chinese contribution is really great against human starvation, and the tendency of high
growth will be continued for a while. On the other hand, however, the dependency on
only one nation‘s production could cause risky and complicated situations in food security
issue unless diversification of aquaculture production can be made.
Republic of Korea has been changed in ODA from recipient country to donor. Korea also
has a relatively high level of science, technology as well as experience in aquaculture.
Through the active and persistent efforts on areal expansion of professional training and
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Ⅲ. Opening Remarks
technology-transfer to developing nations around the world, especially in tropical areas,
the Yeosu Project would be a good vehicle to accomplish human health and peace.
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Ⅲ. Opening Remarks
Sung-gwi KIM
President
Korea Maritime Institute (KMI)
At present, SIDS countries are suffering from sea level rise, erosion of the coasts, loss of
huge land, etc., due to climate change. In this relation, Korea has world best technologies
to manufacture offshore plant for development of oil and gas from sea floor, and also has
a variety of high technologies to make solar and wind energy system, de-salinization of
sea-water, aquaculture, etc. Therefore, I expect Korea can contribute to solving the
residential and land problems of SIDS and other island regions by making offshore
residential spaces using the technology of offshore plant as one of Yeosu Projects.
Offshore residential spaces will accommodate hundreds of households within the spaces,
with solar energy and wind energy system, sea-water de-salinization, waste water
treatment facility in addition to aquaculturing areas in the surrounding waters and bridges
linking to the coast. Thus, this system can solve energy (electricity), water, food problems,
and supply living spaces to supplement reduced land, within one system. For this project,
feasibility studies will be required to make a basic plan, selection of the best candidate
sites, road-map, test model building, and training for local people for maintenance and
management of the facilities, etc.
Thus, Korea can take another opportunity to make a new milestone for the development
of ocean resources and help SIDS and other island regions through this kind of ambitious
project, which is one of the goals and visions of Yeosu Projects.
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Ⅲ. Opening Remarks
Hon. Taaniela KULA
Deputy Secretary
Ministry of Land, Environment, Climate Change & Natural Resources
Kingdom of Tonga
The Kingdom of Tonga is a small island developing state located in the middle of the
Pacific Ocean. It is the only Pacific Island State that has never been colonized. It has a
population of 105,000, surviving on 750km2 of land spread out on strings of 176 atolls,
raised limestone and volcanic islands over a 1,000km north-south stretch, within an ocean
space of 700,000km2.
Majority of the population resides on coastal areas exposing them to several natural
hazards. Tonga is expected to incur on average, 15.5 million USD per year in losses due to
earthquakes and tropical cyclones. The Kingdom is rated second most disaster-prone
country in the world (World Disasters Report, 2012). Its current economic activities
cannot adequately support the demanded basic administrative and infrastructure services
to alleviate its people from their hardships and natural hazard risks. Dependency on
imported petroleum is the major contributor to high costs of developments, goods and
services (resulting in economic struggles).
In 2013, the Kingdom produced a GDP of 466 million USD with a 4,500 GDP per capita.
Tonga had total export of 18Million USD against a total import of 204Million. (Ocean
products contributed 15% of the exported products. 20% of the imported products are
refined petroleum.)
Moving forward, whilst the Kingdom aims to reduce its dependency on petroleum energy
under its Energy Roadmap (2010-2020), it needs consideration sourcing from the oceans.
The Kingdom has established legal frameworks to ensure maximum benefits from its
seabed economic resources, but it needs more foreign investments. Best disaster risk
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Ⅲ. Opening Remarks
mitigations are known, but sustainable secured infrastructures designs are limited to
knowledge of ocean behavior and financing opportunities.
The Kingdom of Tonga is in need of international support both technically and financially.
Tonga‘s potential to achieve ―green growth from the sea‖ is possible, only with foreign
investments. The Kingdom of Tonga with the Yeosu Project calls for your development
support and investing in small island developing states, in so, that the ocean be not our
weakness, but our strength.
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Ⅲ. Opening Remarks
In-Sub KWAK
CEO
Korea Marine Environment Management Corporation (KOEM)
Launched in 2010 as an ODA project for marine environments, the Yeosu Project has
produced many outcomes.
The project has collaborated with countries from a broad geographical spectrum,
including Africa, South America, Central-East Asia, and South East Asia. It has also
carried out valuable research on a variety of issues, including adaptation to the climate
change, marine waste, biodiversity conservation, and coastal and fishery resource
management.
For the purpose of ensuring a continued and improved implementation of the Yeosu
Project, I make several suggestions:
First, so far, the Yeosu Project has been directly executed by KOICA. However, from
this point on we need to seek and consider a more efficient way of managing the
project. This kind of management could come through a dedicated agency for marine
affairs such as the Korea Maritime Institute, the Korea Institute of Ocean Science and
Technology, or the Korea Marine Environment Corporation, which is equipped with
the relevant expertise and thus capable of more efficient management.
Second, the Yeosu Project has a particular focus on ODA projects that are aimed at
developing countries; therefore we must keep in mind that transferring the
technologies that the developing countries need is of high importance. In order to
transfer marine related technologies that the developing countries lack, we should run
training programs inviting engineers and experts from those countries. This is the
advantage the Yeosu Project has over other support programs
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Ⅲ. Opening Remarks
Third, in addition to those invitee training programs, we may also consider dispatching
Korean experts to the developing countries. Sending Korean experts to these countries
as well as inviting trainees may be a good way toward enhanced bilateral cooperation.
Thank you.
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Ⅲ. Opening Remarks
Dong-sup LEE
Chairman
Korean Society of Oceanography (KSO)
We need to measure the seawater pH more precisely in the Asian seas
According to Wikipedia on ocean acidification, after industrialization the seawater was
acidified by 0.11 points in pH in 2010, which means that the acidity of the seawater has
increased approximately 30%. This is the most acidified seawater has been in the past 650
thousand years. Another notable point is that the change has happened dramatically over
the last thirty years. Thus, we are facing huge scientific uncertainty in regard to both the
direction and scale of the change in ecosystems caused by acidification.
The average rate of global ocean acidification is measured in 0.002pH, which falls under the
permissible level of pH measurement. Though the level of current analysis techniques in
laboratories fulfill the required degree of precision, things become different when considering
sampling on site and carrying out continuous measurement. Thermodynamically, pH is sensitive to
temperature, salt concentration, and pressure. Therefore, the value measured in laboratory
conditions needs complex modification, or if you were to measure on site, the current techniques
would need to be improved. Miniaturization is one of those techniques that would need further
development.
As the ocean is global, the monitoring of global ocean acidification requires every country to
cooperate. While North American and European countries are carrying out systematic data quality
management, those in Asia do not have such a political basis. Therefore, the Yeosu Project should
support workshops and other training programs and invite experts from North America and Europe
in order to improve their pH measurement techniques for Asian seawater. As a result, such a move
will make meaningful contributions in understanding ocean acidification and reduce the damage it
causes. The fact that Asian countries highly rely on seafood as a source of protein will be enough
reason for them to see the need to prepare more thoroughly for ocean acidification.
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Ⅲ. Opening Remarks
Jae-wan LEE
Chairman
Korea Engineering and Consulting Association (KENCA)
The Eiffel Tower, a monument of the World Expo 1889 held in Paris, France, then faced
strong opposition from the public claiming that it does not fit the artistic landscape of the
city of Paris and should be demolished. The tower, however, later became a favorite spot
for tourists from all around the world visiting Paris.
Now that two years have passed since the Yeosu Expo 2012 was held with the theme ―the
ocean,‖ what is left to us or the world? Is there anything that the Yeosu Expo 2012 has left,
at the very least, to the maritime industry or its workers?
Setting aside such a visible landmark as the Eiffel Tower, have Korean people raised
awareness of the ―ocean‖ in their mind, or otherwise secured for Korea the position as a
global maritime power? As a man of the sea, I am looking back on the Yeosu Expo 2012,
which is now almost forgotten.
When I attended the ―Korea-Fiji Forum for Maritime Cooperation,‖ held in Fiji with
member companies of the Marine Business Association, a presentation by a professor
from the South Pacific University caught my attention.
Showing a new airport in Yeongjong Island and a new town in Songdo, Korea, and an
artificial island in Japan, the presenter put the question, ―While Korea and Japan make
lands from nothing and build global infrastructures for housing, airports, and harbors, why
could we South Pacific countries not stand natural disasters such as climate change and
sea level rise. How could we let the land we inherited from our forefathers sink into the
sea and simply migrate to foreign countries?‖
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Ⅲ. Opening Remarks
What about building a global marine landmark in the South Pacific region by welcoming
the advanced ocean science and technology of Korea?
How about we build a ‗dream island‘ where people can enjoy marine leisure activities on
a ferry or cruise ship? It will be supplied with eco-friendly energy from a solar energy
plant, an ocean thermal energy conversion system or a wave force power plant. There will
be various kinds of fish breeding in an aquaculture system. People will drink desalinated
sea water and the explore marine minerals and resources from the island.
What would it be like a dream island where all the marine leisure activities on a ferry or
cruise ship are available; eco-friendly energy could be supplied from a solar energy plant,
an ocean thermal energy conversion system, or a wave force power plant; many kinds of
fish could breed in an aquaculture system; desalinated sea water is provided; and the
exploration of marine minerals and resources could be enabled?
The whole world is now desperately struggling to secure marine territories, with some
countries even going to war for this reason. Even a small reef in the sea is claimed as
one‘s territory by building a structure on it. Meanwhile there are those who lose their own
land and livelihood and immigrate to foreign counties. It is not only a tragedy for the
people but a great loss to their local marine economy.
If we preserve and protect the inherited homeland of the South Pacific while making our
ocean science and technology known to the world, promoting maritime cooperation with
the South Pacific, our globalized marine industry could be a source of economic gain and
make Yeosu 2012‘s dream become a global reality.
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Ⅲ. Opening Remarks
Moon Ock LEE
Professor
Chonnam National University (JNU) Yeosu Campus
1. A Professional Education Program of Ocean and Fisheries Science for Coastal and
Island Countries (MSc/PhD) Course is to be opened at Chonnam National University
(Yeosu Campus)
The Yeosu Project is a support program targeted at developing countries for solving
urgent maritime related problems that are beginning to have a global affect. This project
plays a core role in the ―Yeosu Declaration,‖ presented as a vision of ―Green Growth in
the Ocean‖ to the global citizens during the Yeosu EXPO. Considering this initiative is
focused on three key issues—① training and educating provided by the Yeosu Academy
to those from developing countries, ② investments made to developing countries for
their development based on maritime R&D technology, and ③ support for students of
the next-generation from developing countries who are offered the opportunity to study in
Korea—it is thought to be exceedingly beneficial to establish specialized programs for
nurturing professional resources in the field of maritime and fishery at Chonnam National
University (Yeosu Campus), which possesses the relevant technology and human
resources.
Notably, for the past hundred years, Chonnam National University (Yeosu Campus) has
produced human resources needed by the local community and Korea at large.
Accordingly, by actively utilizing its professional education infrastructure and researchers,
it will not fail to show the highest standard in nurturing professional resources in maritime
and fishery science technologies from developing countries. In addition, these education
and training programs will help maritime and fishery technicians acquire the capabilities
necessary for independently solving problems in their local communities. In turn it will
also improve the global image of Korea by letting those countries participate in the
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Ⅲ. Opening Remarks
environmental maintenance of coasts and oceans, fishery resource management and
aquaculture, local development projects, etc.
2. Developing countries, especially those that are coastal or insular, are expected to lose
territory in the near future due to the rise in sea level and coastal erosion followed by the
global warming. To remedy this problem, an international cooperation system for solving
residential and immigration problems caused by loss of territory needs to be established.
In regard to how this problem might be resolved, it is thought that a long-term roadmap
that includes engineering (technological), financial and humanitarian support from UNaffiliated organizations may be necessary.
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Ⅲ. Opening Remarks
Sang-hun LEE
Secretary General
Yeosu YMCA
The Promise Made in Yeosu Must Be Kept!
On August 12, 2012, the following important issues were presented at the EXPO‘s closing
ceremony, where 104 countries, 10 UN-affiliated organizations, and 8.2 million people
participated:
―The Yeosu Declaration will not be a mere declaration. We will implement specific
plans to see that international collaboration takes form. One of these plans is the Yeosu
Project, which is to support developing countries in the improvement of maritime
ecosystems, the preservation and utilization of maritime resources, and new maritime
technology development.‖
- Kim Hwangsik, Former Prime Minister
―The Yeosu Declaration is a promise to present solutions for the sustainability of oceans
and coasts. This will remain a great heritage of 21st century world Expo history.‖
- Vincent Gonzales Loscertales, BIE Secretary General
―The UN promises to make a dedication toward the complete realization of the Yeosu
Project and sends its wholehearted support.‖
- Ban Ki-moon, UN Secretary General
H.E. Willy Telavi, the Prime Minister of Tuvalu, read the Yeosu Declaration, representing
all the participants. This is the Yeosu Declaration, the Yeosu Project, which was
nicknamed as ―the promise of Yeosu.‖
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A World Expo does not end after a three month exhibition but is a global festival where a
path for human civilization is presented, and participating countries and world citizens
promise to walk together along that path. The Yeosu Expo also demonstrated the exact
same spirit and values, and confirmed them.
The Yeosu Expo closed with this grand and important promise. But after only two years
no one but the citizens of Yeosu mentions this promise.
Only the sound of disappointment that there has been no ongoing use of the Yeosu Expo
site echoes in the empty space. And the government, the main responsible agent, focuses
only on selling the sites and facilities.
Meanwhile, at the UN Climate Summit held in New York last September 23rd, Republic
of Korea President Park Geun-hye made a speech, promising 100 million dollars to the
Green Climate Fund (GCF).
The Republic of Korea already promised to see the completion of the Yeosu Declaration
and the Yeosu Project at the Yeosu Expo two years ago. This is now an opportune time for
us to show what the ―creative economy‖ is by finding responsive solutions for climate
change in the spirit of the Expo and using the remaining heritage.
I suggest using the contribution President Park has promised to make to the GCF. Then,
Korea will show a leading and exemplary use of finance, and a successful ongoing use of
the Yeosu Expo site as a secretariat nation of the GCF.
It is now the era of the ocean. In order for Korea, a nation surrounded by ocean, to take
advantage of this era, we must first keep the promise made in the Yeosu Declaration and
Yeosu Project.
Thank you.
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Monde MAYEKISO
Deputy Director-General of Oceans and Coasts
Department of Environmental Affairs, South Africa
All nations and regions in this interconnected world of ours, seek to optimise similar
opportunities for sustainable economic growth from oceans. They also face similar
challenges, such as, climate change and natural disasters.
Both Northern and Southern Hemisphere regions have the potential to enhance our
understanding of the ocean, through expanded real-time observation systems. There are
off-course regional disparities in the capacity to deliver the required understanding. It is
no secret that scientific and financial capacity is concentrated in the Northern Hemisphere.
As a result, there is the understandable, but regrettable migration of our Southern
scientists to the North to advance their careers. In Africa, we would like to establish
Centres of Competence that are vibrant. These centres would be areas of concentration of
scientists and infrastructure for some oceanographic disciplines. Hopefully, the centres
would attract young, as well as experienced scientists from the North to collaborate with
our institutions, especially where Africa offers a unique opportunity. We believe that this
would also enable us to retain those in the South.
We would like to encourage the Yeosu Project to cooperate with the IOC Sub-commission
for Africa, and Africa‘s Large Marine Ecosystem Programmes to establish and maintain
the regional Centres of Competence in the following priority areas: Geosciences,
Operational Oceanography, Biodiversity and Prospecting, as well as Coastal Erosion and
Pollution. Furthermore, we believe that the planned International Indian Ocean
Expedition 2 offers a great opportunity to kick start such efforts.
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Ⅲ. Opening Remarks
Marie Antonette Juinio-MEÑ EZ
Director of Marine Science Institute (MSI)
University of Philippines (UP)
There is heightened global awareness on the need for concerted efforts towards a healthier
ocean. That awareness should translate into collaborative actions among different
stakeholders at different scales of governance particularly at the local, national and
regional scales.
The Philippines is heavily dependent on diverse goods and services from our seas. Food
security, economic development and resilience of highly vulnerable communities are
strongly dependent on the state of the marine and coastal ecosystems.
A major challenge for science and technology is to find solutions to optimize the use of
natural resources and create opportunities without compromising sustainability and ensuring
that substantial benefits accrue to the poor sectors. Integrated multidisciplinary research and
development programs which include capability building, generation of knowledge and
effective communication of science-based information are essential. For example marine
protected area networks consider socioeconomic and biophysical connectivities to foster
alliances among local governments and enjoin active participation of communities. Synergies
from cooperation reduce cost of implementation and increase effectiveness.
Long-term sustainability of resource management depends not only on effective enforcement
of regulations, but also on incentive mechanisms that promote collaborative and responsible
practices which benefit the poor and most vulnerable sectors.
International cooperation can help facilitate cross site learning among resource managers and
stakeholders; and develop programs that will increase the number of scientists from various
disciplines who can work together, and with other sectors, to find solutions towards a better
future for more communities.
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Ⅲ. Opening Remarks
Mika ODIDO
Secretariat Head of IOCAFRICA
Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission (UNESCO/IOC)
The oceans and seas around African continent are rich in resources and offer excellent
opportunities towards social and economic development of Member States and their
citizens.
The establishment of the IOC Sub Commission for Africa and the Adjacent Island States
in 2012 was an important milestone, and provided a platform through which member
states from the region can articulate their priorities issues and explore ways of addressing
them.
The support of the IOC-Yeosu project has been crucial in the early stages of the
development of the Sub Commission, especially in the carrying out of a marine science
capacity survey, and the development of the strategic plan.
Marine institutions in Africa particularly suffer from limited financial resources and poor
coastal and ocean observation infrastructure. Other constraints include limited human
resources, insufficient data and information for managing coastal resources and decision
making, and the limited collaboration between institutions in the region in addressing
common concerns.
The capacity requirement survey revealed that physical oceanography (including
modelling and forecasting), water quality and marine geology/geophysics require the
most attention. Other topics that feature prominently include fisheries and mariculture,
biological oceanography, and marine ecology. The capacity development programme
proposed by the Sub-Commission includes: Strengthening marine science institutes and
laboratories, strengthening existing or creating new university programmes in marine
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science, establishing centres of competency/excellence, and continuous professional
development to ensure that scientists and technical staff are kept upto date with new
developments in their field.
The Strategic Plan for the Sub Commission focusses on:
(i)
increasing the understanding of ocean and coastal processes around Africa and
how they impact on the environment and resources,
(ii)
increasing capacity for monitoring and early warning for coastal and oceanic
natural hazards,
(iii)
improving the understanding of how the African Oceans and Coastal areas will be
impacted by changing climates,
(iv)
enhancing the preparation to mitigate the impacts of coastal hazards and climate
change,
These will require the strengthening of capacities as already noted and the development of
an effective mechanism for observation and monitoring of the African oceans and coastal
areas. The knowledge and information generated must feed into the coastal planning and
management process in order to improve the livelihood of the coastal populations.
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Ⅲ. Opening Remarks
Young Jae RO
Professor
Chungnam National University (CNU)
How the Yeosu Project Should Be Realized?
Korean Sea Waters (Yellow Sea, East Sea) are connected from the Indonesia in the Tropic,
passing through the Asian Marginal Seas such as South and East China Seas. These Sea
Waters are situated in the world top-most populated region. Thus, the impacts from the
Ocean and Seas are so immense onto the living conditions such as protein source,
transportation, and climate change, etc. However, those countries in the Indo-China
Peninsula are in general under-developed and their levels of Ocean Science are much
lower to meet diverse demands in terms of marine environmental protection, maintenance
of eco-system, protection and mitigation from the natural disaster, etc.
Korean Ocean Science has been developed rapidly since early 1970‘s and experiences
from our own marine environment could be a model example either in pollution and/or
restoration during national industrialization, thus a good lesson for many Asian countries.
I propose to build up the network of Monitoring and Restoration of the Marine
environment in the Southeast Asian countries including Indonesia, Thailand, Vietnam,
Philippines, etc. These countries should be strategically considered to achieve the goals of
the Yeosu Project on their geo-location, degree of national needs and relationship with
Korean Government.
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Stephen Adrian ROSS
Executive Director
Partnerships in Environmental Management for the Seas of East Asia (PEMSEA)
Yeosu Project Benefits and Opportunities in the Seas of East Asia
PEMSEA acknowledges and is deeply appreciative of the significant contribution that the
Yeosu Project has made to the implementation of the Sustainable Development Strategy
for the Seas of East Asia (SDS-SEA), through various projects undertaken with PEMSEA
member countries. For example:
1. The Sustainable Operation of Ports through the Development and
Implementation of a Port Safety Health and Environmental Management
(PSHEM) Code involved the adoption and launching of the PEMSEA Code as a
standard for voluntary use by port authorities and companies operating in ports of East
Asia. It will further put into operation the PSHEMS Certification System. This initiative
has encouraged port authorities and operators to strive for excellence through
continuous improvement in their management systems. Such has boosted the safety in
port facilities and of workers in the port while decreasing the environmental risks and
pollution in the managed seas of our region.
Those ports that have started implementing the PSHEMS Code include:
 Phnom Penh and Sihanoukville in Cambodia;
 Tanjung Priok and Tanjung Peak in Indonesia;
 Sabah and Johor Ports in Malaysia;
 Cagayan de Oro and Iloilo Ports in the Philippines;
 Bangkok and Laem Chabang Ports in Thailand; and
 Saigon Port in Vietnam
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2. Strengthening Oil Spill Preparedness and Response in a Subregional Sea Area:
Environmental Sensitivity Mapping in the Gulf of Thailand involved the
development of a decision support tool for use in planning and responding to oil spill
incidents. To date, the Environmental Sensitivity Index (ESI) Atlas of the Gulf of
Thailand was prepared, published and disseminated for use, a testament to a strong
collaboration between Cambodia, Thailand, Vietnam, RO Korea, and PEMSEA.
The Atlas provides a comprehensive and accurate accounting of coastal resources at risk
should a spill incident occur. It consists of geographically-referenced biological
resources (such as birds and shellfish beds); sensitive shorelines (such as mangroves and
wetlands); human use resources (such as public beaches and ports); and oil spill
response resources. Further, it has ESI-classified shorelines, ranked based on their
sensitivity to oiling. This information will build the capacity of participating countries in
oil spill preparedness and response and that will assist decision makers and spill
planners to come up with prompt and effective response actions to oil spill incidents.
As a future application of the ESI Atlas, the Hydrodynamic Modeling: Oil Spill
Trajectory Model for the Gulf of Thailand project is being envisioned. Its goal is to
enhance the functionality of ESI mapping by correlating spatial variables of the coastal
and marine resources with the hydrodynamics of the Gulf of Thailand and support the
preparation, adoption and implementation of a subregional oil spill contingency plan.
All of these will strengthen the capacity of participating countries, individually and
collectively.
This year‘s Forum is an opportune time to take stock of the significant accomplishments
and renew our commitments towards the vision of ―green growth from the sea‖ which
emanated from the Yeosu Declaration in 2012. The Declaration, which is consistent with
the objectives of the SDS-SEA, laid out ambitious targets to reverse the trends of
degrading coastal and ocean ecosystems and fisheries and improve the capacities of
developing countries. However, these targets are not intuitively self-implementing and
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will require strategic, coordinated, and focused efforts by a range of stakeholders across
all sectors and at different levels in order to make tangible progress.
From PEMSEA‘s perspective, a number of key challenges face the achievement of the
Yeosu Declaration targets and the SDS-SEA objectives in marine and coastal areas of the
East Asian region, including:

Capacity gaps—Lack of institutional, technical, managerial, and scientific resources;
poor understanding of capacity needs in integrated management at various levels of
governance in the context of cross-sectoral management; there is a lack of crosssectoral training for managers at the ground-level;

Inadequate governance—Sectoral conflicts; lack of coordination across
governmental agencies and levels of governments; limited participation of
indigenous and local communities;

Limited information base—Lack of policy relevant information to support decisionmaking; inadequate coordination, sharing and use of existing knowledge.
This is not to say that progress is not being made in these areas. In fact, the real message
is that the Yeosu Project, in order to maximize its contribution and impact, would serve to
leverage coordination and collaboration with similarly-focused programs and initiatives,
and encourage a holistic and comprehensive approach to capacity development for green
growth for the sea and sustainable use of marine and coastal resources.
In the East Asian Seas region, PEMSEA countries have expressed the desire to progress
towards an ocean-based blue economy (Changwon Declaration, 2012) using the SDSSEA as a platform and framework for overcoming the challenges to sustainable
development and for building an ocean-based blue economy. A 5-year implementation
plan has been agreed to by the countries including, among others:
 sustainable management of fisheries, focusing on habitat (blue forest)
conservation/restoration and marine protected areas, and rebuilding and maintaining
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fish stocks at levels that can sustainably support present and future generations;
 protection and improvement of water quality in coastal areas and associated river
basins for improving ecosystem services and ecosystem health, and addressing
hazards associated with unsustainable development on both water quality (e.g.,
pollution, eutrophication, saltwater intrusion, erosion and sedimentation) and water
quantity (e.g., flooding, water shortages, over extraction, subsidence);
 food security and the provision and improvement of livelihood options among the
coastal poor through sustainable coastal fisheries and alternative and supplemental
livelihood programmes in ecotourism, sustainable aquaculture/ mariculture, etc.; and
 Investments in green industry, technology and practices – e.g., eco-agriculture and
the development of marine renewable energy – in order to strengthen the resiliency
of coastal communities.
The Yeosu Project is an opportunity to build synergies and promote cross-sectoral
exchange across multiple scales (global, regional, national) by:
 facilitating and linking innovative scientific and technical approaches to green
technologies and inform policy development and implementation at multiple levels;
 providing opportunities for effective learning and exchange of knowledge and best
practices among policymakers, managers and investors;
 promoting synergies among other relevant initiatives/programmes at the regional
and national levels to address capacity needs in the context of Yeosu Declaration and
relevant global and regional agreements and commitments
 catalyzing leaders to make commitments to take further action.
PEMSEA looks forward to further collaboration with the Yeosu Project on these aspects,
and others, in support of our shared vision of sustainable development of coastal and
marine resources and the scaling up of green growth from the sea.
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Si-won RYU
Director-General
Yeosu City
The Path that the Yeosu Project Should Take
The Yeosu Project is a representative international cooperative project in maritime and
fishery sectors established to continuously support developing countries in accordance
with the spirit of the Yeosu Declaration, which was a finale of the EXPO 2012 Yeosu
Seoul.
This project has carried out a number of pilot projects in four phases from 2010 to 2013,
investing 8 billion KRW out of 10 billion to prepare a basis for starting at a full scale.
So far, the Yeosu government has been drawing the attention of the national government
and citizens by means of broadcasting on the project for the purpose of establishing
specific tasks. It also has made every effort to raise project funds worth at least 2 billion
KRW annually to start the project as soon as possible.
However, in order to secure funds worth 100 billion KRW needed to initiate the Yeosu
Project, a detailed roadmap should be established.
In addition, there needs to be an agency fully in charge of the tasks involved, which is to
satisfy the needs of beneficiary countries by a suitable allocation of those tasks to the
targets and a systematic and sustainable execution of them. To install the secretariat of the
Yeosu Project at the site of the Yeosu Expo may be considered as a possible choice.
I hope marine related forums are continually held to share the outcomes of the project and
detailed processes. By sharing and publishing those outcomes in Korea and the world, we
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should steadily discuss marine related issues that developing countries are facing.
Finally, the venue of the Yeosu Expo should be recreated as a space to develop and
succeed with its theme ―The Living Ocean and Coast.‖ The Korean Government is
strongly required to take responsibility to make sure the site is used for learning and
sharing together with developing and small insular countries as well as inviting marine
related international organizations, research institutes, and experience facilities.
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Christopher SABINE
Director of Pacific Marine Environmental Laboratory (PMEL)
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), USA
Colleagues, it is indeed a great honor to be part of this roundtable discussion. The tenets
of the Yeosu Declaration are as relevant and important today as they were in 2012. The
United States is making every effort to meaningfully contribute to meeting the sustainable
environmental, social, and economic goals of our global community.
My agency, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), has been
particularly active in promoting integrated ecosystem-based management of marine
resources and enhancing our collective understanding of the ocean through expanded realtime observing systems.
Our efforts range from working through international organizations, like the
Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission, to address the universal need for
meaningful data products for resource managers and policy makers, to bilateral
agreements with key countries to develop effective observational strategies. We are
directly contributing to the Global Earth Observation System of Systems (GEOSS) with
global-scale observations such as ARGO, as well as regional and local studies such as the
biogeochemical mooring in Chuuk, Micronesia that I mentioned in my presentation
yesterday.
NOAA stands committed to assist developing nations in whatever way we can. For
example, we recently supported a workshop in Apia, Samoa titled: International
Workshop on Ocean Acidification: State-of-the Science Considerations for Small Island
Developing States (SIDS). The goal of the workshop was to begin developing resiliencebuilding strategies by fostering the creation of ocean acidification networks for SIDS
regions.
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One area where my laboratory is particularly active is in the development of innovative
new technologies that make high-quality ocean observations. These new technologies not
only allow for economical, more efficient observations, but they also require less training
and equipment to deploy and operate. These technologies can provide an ideal avenue for
developing nations to begin contributing to GEOSS and building their domestic scientific
capacity.
I look forward to the discussions and ideas we will hear today to further the
implementation of the Yeosu Project.
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Seung-sik SHIN
Professor
Chonnam National University (JNU)
I express my gratitude for all of your efforts in conducting the pilot project for the Yeosu
Project.
Last week I had an opportunity to join a selection evaluation for the 2014 advanced
project on the four projects that were selected as outstanding examples from among the
pilot projects. The four selected projects were thought to be necessary for current
developing countries and I wanted them to be carried out quickly in order to achieve
results as early as possible, but there were a few points unsatisfactory in process of the
projects.
I was not able to discuss detailed information concerning the project because I am not a
scientist; but based on my experience in conducting prior investigations on the validity of
governmental policies, I would point out that there was a severe lack of research on
technological planning that includes an evaluation of validity.
Of course, the selection process of the pilot projects would have considered the urgency of
the candidates, and the ripple effect of scientific technologies of those beneficiary
countries and Korea, but it was unfortunate that these points have not been specifically
presented in the report.
In order for the Yeosu Project to continuously develop into the future, research needs to be
conducted from the perspective not only of scientists, but from a political and economical
perspective, too. The ultimate goal of the Yeosu Project is not merely self-completion, but
to see the advanced scientific technology we‘ve developed and applied to the target
countries in order to secure their technical skills, protect their maritime environments, and
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thus build strong scientific foundations for them. Accordingly, thorough research during
planning must be carried out to ensure that the project is compatible with those countries.
In order to accomplish this, analysis on the current state of scientific technology of the
target countries must precede the inception of the project. Then, based on this analysis we
should decide the goal of the project by investigating and analyzing the target countries‘
demand for the technology it provides as well as considering the compatibility and effect
of the project in those countries. And this project should be analyzed on the estimated
effect. The analysis of effects should be accompanied by thorough research to determine
whether the project process is in accordance with the goals set out by the policies of
different countries, what the technological results will be, how economically feasible it
will be, and so on. Lastly, a roadmap for conducting the project should be presented, and
the responsibilities held by each party must be clearly delineated.
If the only research done on the status of target countries‘ maritime science is carried out
by Korean scientists for a period of one or two years, the project will be unlikely to have
any lasting significance. The project should be conducted using as many native
researchers as possible. Therefore practical research is necessary to ensure each target
country‘ maritime science and other related industries are developed, with a holistic
perspective.
In summary, my suggestions to ensure the Yeosu Project succeeds are: First, thorough
research should be conducted during planning in order to secure the project‘s validity.
Second, the project should allow as many native researchers as possible to join it to
effectively transfer the related technologies to them. And third, the budget should be
prioritized so that expenditure is concentrated on the parts of the project that are most
important.
Again, I thank the research team members who have conducted the Yeosu Project.
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Sung Kwon SOH
Science Manager
Western and Central Pacific Fisheries Commission (WCPFC)
Experiences and suggestions for the consideration of
future directions of Yeosu Project
WCPFC is an intergovernmental RFMO. In 2011, WCPFC submitted a proposal to Yeosu
Project Organizing Committee to fund, for a one year, project in three developing
countries (Indonesia, Philippines and Vietnam) which would:
1) improve capacity in the project countries to estimate reliable annual tuna catches
for the WCPO ;
2) enhance the capability of those countries to develop their own logbook systems,
observer programmes, and port sampling; and to better understand stock
assessments; and
3) facilitate the development of a Tuna Fisheries Profile and National Tuna
Management Plan for each country.
The output was a final project report with 33 reports attached. The project outputs were
accepted by the Organizing Committee and KOICA. Success can be attributed to:
1) There was mutual respect and good collaboration between the implementation
agency, the WCPFC Secretariat, and the project partners, who are Members and
cooperating non-Members of WCPFC.
2) Most project activities were related to WCPFC Member‘s obligations, and hence
capacity building for these activities was a priority; the outputs were also directly
relevant to their national needs. These national benefits promoted ownership of the
project by the country partners;
3) The project components were part of a bigger GEF-funded WPEA Project
implemented by the Secretariat. A firm foundation was established prior to
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implementing the Yeosu Project components; and the in-kind contributions from
WCPFC and SPC (expertise, facilities and manpower) accelerated the progress and
finalization of the project within a year.
We suggest that this type of regional project, as described above, which otherwise would
not be possible, is a very good subject for the Yeosu funding programme, because:
1) As collaboration with other funders, there is a greater outcome for any given
funding input.
2) Improvements during and after the project are immediately quantifiable and are
applied practically, nationally and within region, for the benefit of all members of
the WCPFC including Korea.
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Cesar TORO
Secretariat Head of IOCARIBE
Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission (UNESCO/IOC)
SIDS are known for their valuable resources, including oceans, coastal environments, and
biodiversity.
SIDS face challenges that derive from their unique physical size, geographical location,
their environmental fragility, economic characteristics, disaster proneness, the high cost of
imported energy, often inadequate waste, sewage treatment facilities. They are highly
vulnerable to hazards and natural disasters, sea pollution, tropical cyclones, hurricanes
and storms, with a limited capacity to respond.
SIDS are vulnerable to the adverse impacts of climate change and are already
experiencing an increase in such impacts, including persistent drought and extreme
weather events, sea-level rise, coastal erosion, coastal change and ocean acidification,
further threatening food security and efforts to eradicate poverty and achieve sustainable
development.
Last September in Samoa SIDS recognized that international cooperation and partnerships
are critical for the implementation of their sustainable development, and called for the
strengthening of the long-standing cooperation and support provided by the international
community.
The Yeosu Project goal of building countries capacity constitutes a timely framework for
establishing a partnership between the Yeosu Project with SIDS regional and national
institutions and the Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission of UNESCO for
meeting SIDS challenges of their sustainable development, climate change and its impact
on the marine environment.
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This partnership should contribute to: building SIDS resilience to the impacts of climate
change and to improve their adaptive capacity through the design and implementation of
climate change adaptation measures appropriate to their respective vulnerabilities and
economic, environmental and social situations; promoting and supporting national,
subregional and regional efforts to assess, conserve, protect, manage and sustainably use
the oceans, seas and their resources by supporting research and the implementation of
strategies on coastal zone management and ecosystem-based management, including for
fisheries management, strengthening monitoring and prevention, reducing vulnerability,
raising awareness and increasing preparedness to respond to and recover from disasters.
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Vo Si TUAN
Director of Institute of Oceanography (IO)
Vietnam Academy of Science and Technology (VAST)
Vietnam is a marine nation with more than 3260km of the shoreline and one million
square kilometer of EEZ. Vietnam Government has considered marine science and
technology as a target driving force to develop marine economy in the carrier of
industrialization and modernization of the country. In recent years, the Government has
invested significantly to enhance capacity in marine research in order to implement the
national marine strategy. Vietnam has also participated actively in international
cooperation generally and in IOC/WESTPAC framework particularly.
The Institute of Oceanography belonging to Vietnam Academy of Science and
Technology (IO-VAST) with its long history in marine research of Vietnam (established in
1922) is authorized by Government to conduct several scientific tasks serving marine
economic development, resources management and environment protection. The Institute
has received some support from the Government and international organisations in term
of capacity building and owned strengths on fundamental researches such as in
oceanographic processes, marine biodiversity. However, the research capacity in some
aspects, including operational oceanography, remote sensing application and marine
technology is still limited due to constraints on human and financial sources.
Following our serious discussion, it is agreed that international integration has become
critical for implementing the national marine strategy, using science and technology as a
driving force. The lesson leant and supports from the countries which are vanguard in
scientific and technological based development such as Korea are important for Vietnam
on the way forward. We understand that working together benefit to all and we, therefore,
appreciate highly collaborations with you all.
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Wendy Watson-WRIGHT
Executive Secretary
Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission (UNESCO/IOC)
I will focus my intervention on just 3 main messages related to the IOC spirit and our
involvement in the Yeosu expo, the Yeosu declaration, and Korean support for IOC
activities.
First, I would like to say that, the IOC and the Republic of Korea, are connecting science,
policy and people. This progress is based on a simple premise: that we can achieve greater
impact if we work together, breaking down national barriers to scientific cooperation. The
new IOC medium term strategy 2014-2021 provides a powerful basis for Member States
to cooperate in addressing shared ocean challenges and responsibilities. The Yeosu
declaration has also advocated for the contribution that marine and maritime science can
make to restore the world‘s ocean. This is the way forward.
Secondly I would like to say a few words about the Yeosu 2012 legacy. The momentum
gained in Korea during the Expo should be maintained and reinforced. I am sure that your
scientific community can provide a crucial service to the wider society, addressing the
most pressing questions, including climate change, pollution, food and energy security.
Third, I make a plea for the UN Sustainability Development Goal for the Oceans. We
hope this SDG will be approved in the current United Nation General Assembly, which
would be the first time ever that the ocean is included in such high level negotiations and
commitments.
This is an indication that we are achieving a transformation in
appreciation and understanding of the ocean‘s role across society as a whole, including the
policy makers. I am proud of the IOC role in this important achievement, and of course
we count on the Republic of Korea for its future implementation.
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I will conclude by saying that we have only one planet and one ocean, and it is our
common mission to ensure safe and sustainable use of marine and coastal space.
Unfortunately, there is neither plan nor planet B ahead of us.
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Wenxi ZHU
Secretariat Head of IOC/WESTPAC
Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission (UNESCO/IOC)
The significance of Yeosu Declaration lies in its strong commitment to assisting in
building the capacity of developing nations, including Small Island Developing States
(SIDS) for meeting the challenges of climate change and its impact on the marine
environment, and realizing the green growth from the sea (blue economy)
.
The Indo-Pacific region where we are living in is of vast social and economic importance
with nearly 70% of the total population living in coastal areas and relying economically
on ocean and seas. Ocean and seas in the region constitutes one major influence on
regional & global climate system, the epicenter of the world marine biodiversity,
spawning and nursery grounds for diverse marine species, a potential reservoir of nonliving resources, and major maritime shipping routes; Meanwhile, pressures and threats
have been mounting on the health of marine ecosystems in the Indo-Pacific region as a
result of rapid economic development, population growth compounded by climate change,
ocean acidification as well as extreme weather events. Moreover, due to diversified
history, cultural and political systems among countries with overlapping claimed areas,
the ocean sometimes may become the source of a variety of dangers that menace the
prosperity of local population.
To achieve a blue economy, sustainable solutions, whether at the global, regional or
country level, will require creativity, new advances in marine scientific knowledge,
discoveries and innovations. Through the promotion of marine scientific cooperation and
capacity development, the UNESCO/IOC Sub-Commission for the Western Pacific
(WESTPAC) is committed to building and strengthening marine scientific capacities of its
coastal and island developing countries, and to linking science more tightly with policy in
order to advance sustainable ocean management at all levels. WESTPAC is in a unique
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position, not only to foster international cooperation on complex technical issues, such as
oceans observations and marine research, - but also to build dialogue, enhance mutual
understanding, and advance multilateral diplomacy through science among member states.
―Little drop of water makes the mighty ocean.‖ Sharing the same vision for the living
ocean and coasts, WESTPAC would continuously endeavour to translate the spirit of
Yeosu Declaration into concrete actions through the development and implementation of
Yeosu Project.
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