Second Global Conference on Land-Ocean Connections

The Second Global Conference on Land – Ocean Connections (GLOC-2) will take place October 2- 4, 2013, in Montego Bay, Jamaica. The United Nations Environment Programme and the Government of Jamaica are co-organizers of the conference, the second of its kind, and the first to be convened in Latin America and the Caribbean.

Objectives:

The objective of this conference is to identify approaches to address current and emerging issues in the marine and coastal sector, with a focus on the three priority source categories of the Global Programme of Action for the Protection of the Marine Environment from Land-based Activities for 2012-2016, namely marine litter, nutrients and wastewater. The overall purpose of Conference is to emphasize the interconnectedness of activities on land and how they impact on the oceans, with a focus on pollution prevention, reduction and control, while proposing ways to address these impacts through international and, as appropriate, regional cooperation. Specific objectives are:

To update on progress with implementation of the GPA Manila Declaration;

To showcase contribution of Regional Seas Conventions and Action Plans to the implementation of the GPA Manila Declaration;

To identify possible policy pathways at the national level for the implementation of the GPA, including Integrated Coastal Management, and other relevant national policies; and

To serve as a Partnership Forum for the three Global Partnerships on marine litter, nutrients and wastewater.

Expected Outcomes

Agreement on measurable targets for selected source categories and regions;

Identification of voluntary commitments to be proposed to relevant sectors (target setting within various areas);

Commitment of new partners;

Identification of priority activities for each partnership to be implemented at global, regional and national levels;

Additional support and resources mobilized for the three global partnerships under the GPA.