Our Sea of Islands: A Regional Forum for Oceania on Marine Managed Areas and World Heritage

29 January – 2 February, 2007
Honolulu, Hawai’i

The forum, organized by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) and the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) World Heritage Centre, together with their partners, provided an opportunity for Pacific island leaders to work together for better marine and heritage conservation.

Delegates from over 20 Pacific nations, including the United States, Solomon Islands, Cook Islands, Fiji, Samoa and the Federated States of Micronesia came together to enhance natural and cultural heritage and management of marine protected areas.

The recent designation of the Papahānaumokuākea Marine National Monument provides a catalyst for building partnerships and strengthening capacity to address the distinct heritage and marine management needs of island communities.

Oceania is an expansive geographic region dominated by an ocean that covers over one-third of the surface of the Earth.  This region is larger than the total land area of the entire world and is comprised of numerous island groups collectively referred to as Melanesia, Micronesia, Polynesia, and Australia.  Oceania is significant for its vast marine resources and biological and cultural heritage.  Protection of marine resources and associated habitats in this region is critically important to conservation of marine biodiversity and ecological processes, as well as the overall health of these ecosystems.