Within the framework of the Joint UNESCO-IOC/UNIDO-GEF Marine Debris/ Solid Waste Management project, the Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission of UNESCO and the Regional Coordination Center of the UNIDO-GEF Large Marine Ecosystem project for the Gulf of Guinea, are jointly organizing a workshop and beach clean-up to launch the Marine Debris Public Outreach Campaign for the Gulf of Guinea. The Workshop and beach cleanup will take place in Accra, Ghana, 28 September- 1 October 1999. These activities are being hosted by Coastwatch Ghana.

The overall goal of these activities is to focus and reinforce the attention of the public, governments and decision makers at large on the importance of the oceans and the marine environment as resources for sustainable development. The major objective of the joint efforts is to create awareness and obtain commitments from governments to take action, provide adequate resources and give the priority to the ocean and coastal areas deserving of finite economical assets.

This is most important -given increasing threats of pollution, population pressure, excessive fishing, coastal zone degradation and climate variability- to the finite resources in the ocean. Marine ecosystems are vital to global food supplies: roughly one billion people, most of them in developing countries, depend on fish for their sole source of protein. And more than half the people on earth live in coastal zones. The importance of the oceans and seas to economic well-being and environmental balance is acknowledged. However, in a rapidly industrializing world with a population of roughly 6 billion people, it is necessary to take concrete action to preserve this unique resource for generations to come.

The Workshop will bring together urban political leaders, national and local authorities concerned with coastal and sea waste management and natural and social scientists working a the land-sea interface level. Together, they will discuss issues related to revitalization and pollution prevention of our common marine heritage.

This workshop will also be attended by NGOs concerned with environmental issues from Benin, Cameroon, Cote d’Ivoire, Ghana, Nigeria and Togo. Following the workshop, a one day Beach Clean-up exercise will be held which will involve children from the UNESCO clubs, the UNESCO Associated Schools Project, youth environmental groups and the public at large.

Your are cordially invited to nominate a representative of your organization to participate in the Workshop and Beach Clean-up. The representative will be invited to make a presentation on marine debris and efforts being made to combat the effects.

Please confirm your participation as soon as possible, preferably no later than 15 September, 1999.

Your co-operation in this matter is much appreciated and we look forward to hearing from you soon.

Patricio Bernal , Executive Secretary IOC
and
Prof. Chidi Ibe, Regional Coordinator Gulf of Guinea Large Marine Ecosystem Project