Asia-Pacific is home to the most biologically diverse and productive marine ecosystems on Earth -our ocean is a vital source of livelihood, employment, nutrition and economic growth in the region and is essential in balancing our climate. Yet, capacity of our ocean to sustain development in threatened by pollution, overfishing, climate change and inadequate governance. Countries in Asia-Pacific are both major sources of ocean degradation and highly vulnerable to its impacts.
Just over a year after the Ocean Conference that saw the launch of over 600 Voluntary Commitments in the region for the implementation of Sustainable Development Goal 14 “Life below Water”, it is time take stock, share progress made, and lessons learned, and accelerate action for a healthy ocean.

On 20 November 2018, the Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (ESCAP), in close cooperation with custodian agencies of the Communities of Ocean Action, the Special Envoy for the Ocean and with hosts of the Ocean Conference, are organizing an Asia-Pacific Day for the Ocean.
================================
Call for registration as presenters
================================
ESCAP’s Asia-Pacific Day for the Ocean invites member States, UN agencies, civil society, businesses and other ocean stakeholders to follow up on Voluntary Commitments, build partnerships, and engage in concerted regional action for a healthy ocean.

All stakeholders currently implementing Voluntary Commitments in ocean basins, seas and countries in Asia-Pacific are invited to register as presenters and participants to report progress made, challenges faced, and share success stories in the following link: https://goo.gl/forms/qjx5s8dcyuwDoDSX2

The deadline to express interest in joining as a presenting agency via this website is Thursday, 25 October 2018. Registrations received after this date will not be considered.

There is limited funding available subject to registering by the deadline; it is available on a first come first served basis and preference will be given to participants from countries with special needs.

Only Voluntary Commitments being implemented in the Asia-Pacific region will be considered (please consult the ESCAP website for a list of member countries).

For any questions, kindly contact ESCAP at escap-edd@un.org with the subject line “Asia-Pacific Day for the Ocean”.