June 9, 1997
"We're delighted that Canada has agreed to launch the Ocean Charter at the Summit of the Sea Conference," says Dave Finn, Summit Coordinator. "The Ocean Charter is an initiative of the Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission (IOC) of the United Nations. The goal is to have representatives of all the nations in the world sign the Charter by the end of 1998, which has already been declared the International Year of the Ocean by the United Nations. The Charter is a statement of principal not a legally binding document but it's an important step in creating international awareness of oceans issues," explains Geoff Holland, IOC Chairman and a key member of the Summit's organizing committee. Mr. Holland is the Special Advisor on Oceans to the Department of Fisheries and Oceans in Ottawa. "As a member of the IOC, Canada has agreed to sponsor the Ocean Charter. It will be reproduced in appropriate languages and distributed to Canadian Embassies around the world for signatures and display," says Mr. Holland. "It's fitting that the Charter be launched in Newfoundland and Labrador during our 500th Anniversary celebrations, given our strong ties to the oceans. We're honoured," says Mr. Finn. The Summit of the Sea Core Conference is taking place in St. John's, from September 1 to 6. With a theme of Understanding and Managing the Oceans, the Core Conference will bring together over 1,000 delegates from around the world to discuss major issues in oceans policy. An international roster of guest speakers includes, among others, Dr. James Baker, Chief Administrator of the US National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA); Federico Mayor, Director General of UNESCO (United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization); Dr. Sylvia Earle, Spokesperson for SeaWeb and advisor to the World Wildlife Fund; Dr. Hiroshi Ohba, Chairman and CEO of Kawasaki Heavy Industries Ltd., and Chairman of JAMSTEC, and Dr. Elisabeth Mann Borgese, Founder and Honourary Chair of the International Ocean Institute. The Core Conference is part of the overall Summit of the Sea, which is the largest oceans policy conference in the world in 1997. Some 3,000 delegates from across the globe will gather in St. John's for a series of 12 oceans-related conferences being held over a three week period. The Summit is regarded internationally as the unofficial start of the International Year of the Ocean.
Summit of the Sea Website: //www.cabot500.nf.ca/summit/summit.htm
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