UNITED NATIONS AND UNESCO ANNOUNCE PARTICIPATION IN LISBON WORLD EXPO ‘98

Paris, August 28 {No.97-131} - The United Nations and UNESCO today announced the signature of a tripartite Memorandum of Understanding for the participation of the United Nations System in EXPO ‘98, with the Government of Portugal, which will host the world exposition in Lisbon from 22 May to 30 September, 1998.

The central theme of EXPO ‘98—which coincides with the 500th anniversary of the voyage by Portuguese navigator Vasco de Gama to India—is "The Oceans, a Heritage for the Future". EXPO ‘98 is expected to attract 15 million visitors from around the world, thereby generating awareness about the ocean and the range of urgent issues that must be addressed to preserve ocean resources and health for future generations.

The United Nations system is a key player in the understanding and management of the marine world. Tasks are divided among various United Nations agencies and programmes, some of which have been created exclusively to deal with marine affairs. Among these, the United Nations Division for Ocean Affairs and the Law of the Sea promotes a better understanding of the legal regime governing the ocean, as contained in the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea, and assists States in its implementation. In addition, UNESCO’s Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission (IOC) is in charge of research on oceanic and coastal phenomena, ocean monitoring, training and technical assistance, and the exchange and distribution of data. Also, the International Maritime Organization deals with shipping issues, including safety and anti-pollution measures.

Other agencies and programmes—including the United Nations Environment Programme, the Food and Agriculture Organization, the World Meteorological Organization, and the International Atomic Energy Agency—deal with such issues as the protection of the marine environment, management of global fisheries, oceans and climate change, and marine radioactivity.

The United Nations Pavilion at EXPO ‘98 will highlight the whole range of ocean-related activities, co-operative mechanisms, legal texts and initiatives of the United Nations family. A Trust Fund established by the EXPO ‘98 organisers, and private sector sponsorship, will cover the costs of participation.

Over the last decade, the oceans have become a focus of international law and multilateral scientific research and monitoring. Alarmed by such phenomena as marine pollution, harmful algal blooms, sea level change linked to global warming, and world-wide droughts and floods thought to be related to the El Niño phenomenon, Member States of the United Nations system have set up various interagency co-operative mechanisms, such as the Global Ocean Observing System, to generate and exchange data and forecasts on the oceans. Despite significant scientific progress, the global system of oceans, atmosphere, weather and climate remains poorly understood.

The world exposition also coincides with the International Year of the Ocean (1998), proclaimed by the United Nations General Assembly in December 1994, upon an initiative by the IOC. This campaign aims to generate awareness among the public and policy-makers about the importance of the ocean, the policies required to preserve its health and resources for future generations, and the need to allocate more resources for ocean research and monitoring.

United Nations Secretary-General Kofi Annan has appointed Hélène Gosselin—current Director of UNESCO’s Office of Public Information—as Coordinator and Commissioner-General for the United Nations Pavilion, with effect from 1 July.