UNITED NATIONS OPENING PAVILION AT LISBON WORLD EXPO '98

The United Nations is one of 159 participants in the major international event. "The central theme of Expo ‘98 - 'The oceans, a heritage for the future' - has deep relevance and importance to the peoples of all Member States," says UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan. "It is also a focal point of observance of the UN’s International Year of the Ocean in 1998, by which we celebrate our global ocean and all that it means to the life on Earth."

Expected to attract 15 million visitors, Expo '98 provides a rare opportunity to increase awareness of the ocean's crucial role in sustaining life on this planet - almost 70 per cent of which is covered by oceans and seas - and the urgent issues that must be addressed to prevent potential conflict and preserve ocean resources and health for future generations.

A key player in the understanding, management and governance of our marine world, the United Nations welcomes this occasion to highlight its role as guardian of Planet Ocean, the honest broker for States to secure sustainable development and peaceful and equitable use of global ocean resources.

The thematic link between exhibits at the Expo '98 Pavilion is the story of the "United Nations and the Global Ocean", told in displays illustrating the Organization's work on the Convention on the Law of the Sea; the environment of the ocean; the ocean as a source of food; the economics of the global ocean; and our social and cultural ocean heritage. The vivid and colourful "storyboard" makes use of video, photography, graphics, cartography and texts in English, Portuguese, Spanish and French.

The state-of-the-art, 648 square metre exhibition space offers an array of interactive computers on which visitors can view more than forty documentary videos on marine themes. Web site links make possible virtual encounters and constant connection with all members of the UN family and related non-governmental organisations. Visitors will have the chance to add their signatures to the Ocean Charter, launched by Canada for the International Year of the Ocean, stressing common goals for wise and safe use of the world’s oceans and their resources. A variety of UN-family merchandise - including items specially designed by Balenciaga and French artist Franckie Tacque - and stamps are available at the Pavilion's UNICEF gift shop.

A video message from UNESCO Director-General Federico Mayor at the end of the exhibition underlines the need for continued action to protect the oceans. "Science shows that life on our planet needs healthy oceans to survive," says Mr Mayor. "But science alone can't ensure we cross that passage to a safe future. It is our values and our behaviour that will decide. Let's bring the ocean into lessons in the classroom. Let's get the decision-makers to apply the laws and conventions on the sea. A clean sea is our right. A living ocean is our duty."

On 9 August, the United Nations will celebrate its Honour Day, with a strong focus on youth participation, following the United Nations Youth Forum in Braga (Portugal). In addition, for the duration of Expo '98, the Pavilion will be presenting a variety of special cultural, artistic and media events, including scientific encounters on such topics as the world weather watch, ocean observation and our underwater cultural heritage.

Watch this space: A futuristic stage in the shape of a huge wave, designed by Saatchi and Saatchi, is going up on the centrally-located 1300-square-meter plaza outside the UN Pavilion, dubbed the United People’s Plaza. Serving as a meeting place, under the auspices of. the UN, the Council of Europe, the Red Cross, the International Olympic Committee, and the Union Latina, it will bring people together to share an "Ocean of Ideas".

The Pavilion puts the spotlight on the wide range of the United Nations’ ocean-related environmental, legal, scientific, and other activities and programmes. Those sharing the tasks include the UN Division for Ocean Affairs and the Law of the Sea, which promotes better understanding of the Convention on the Law of the Sea; UNESCO's Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission (IOC), in charge of oceanic and coastal research; and the International Maritime Organization, dealing with shipping issues.

Others including the United Nations Environment Programme, the Food and Agriculture Organization, the World Meteorological Organization and the International Atomic Energy Agency are concerned with protection of the marine environment, management of fisheries, oceans and climate change, and marine radioactivity.

The UN Pavilion, under the joint leadership of the United Nations and UNESCO, benefits from the generous contribution of Parque Expo ‘98, Apple, Agfa, CNN, Electrohome, Rover, Novadelta, ITC Balenciaga, and the International Photographic Council. The UN’s participation in Expo ‘98 is at no cost to the Organization.

Hélène-Marie Gosselin, Director of UNESCO’s Office of Public Information, is the appointed Coordinator and Commissioner-General of the Pavilion. It is designed and produced by Jan Ralph, Technical Director, in association with Artistic Director Luis Sarda.