Oceans The world’s oceans – their temperature, chemistry, currents and life – drive global systems that make the Earth habitable for humankind. Our rainwater, drinking water, weather, climate, coastlines, much of our food, and even the oxygen in the air we breathe, are all ultimately provided and regulated by the sea. Throughout history, oceans and seas have been vital conduits for trade and transportation. Careful management of this essential global resource is a key feature of a sustainable future. http://www.un.org/en/sustainablefuture/oceans.shtml
UN Observances
8 June – World Ocean Day: http://www.un.org/en/events/oceansday/ http://www.un.org/Depts/los/reference_files/worldoceansday.htm
UN and related bodies
UN Oceans –an inter-agency coordination mechanism on oceans and coastal issues within the UN system: http://www.unoceans.org
RIO+20, the future we want – Oceans: http://www.un.org/en/sustainablefuture/oceans.shtml UN Sustainable Development Knowledge Platform – Oceans & Seas: http://sustainabledevelopment.un.org/index.php?menu=232
UN Division for Ocean Affairs and Law of the Sea: http://www.un.org/depts/los/index.htm UN Development Programme (UNDP) - Water and Ocean Governance: http://www.undp.org/content/undp/en/home/ourwork/environmentandenergy/focus_area s/water_and_ocean_governance.html UN Environment Programme (UNEP) o Regional Seas Programme: http://www.unep.org/regionalseas/ o UNEP GRID-Arendal - Marine Division: http://www.grida.no/marine/ UN Educational, Scientific and Cutural Organization (UNESCO) o Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission: http://www.unesco.org/new/en/natural-sciences/ioc-oceans/ o The Oceans Compact: http://www.unesco.org/new/en/natural-sciences/iococeans/priority-areas/the-oceans-compact/ International Maritime Organization (IMO): http://www.imo.org Further related links: http://www.un.org/en/globalissues/oceans/links.shtml