© Joe Bunni
The ocean, our common heritage, is rich in resources which need to be preserved.

This thematic half-day on the Ocean is one of the 8 thematic half-days organized by the Brazilian government and the Rio+20 Executive Coordinators, namely Mrs. Elizabeth Thompson, former Minister of Energy and Environment of Barbados, and Mr. Brice Lalonde, former Minister of the Environment of France. It is taking place during the United Nations Conference on Sustainable Development (Rio+20).
The world’s ocean – its temperature, chemistry, currents and life – drives global systems that make the Earth habitable for humankind. The ocean, coasts, and Small Island Developing States (SIDS) have taken a prominent role in the Rio+20 discussions and will likely factor centrally into the Rio+20 outcome. This event is part of an effort to keep ocean-related issues at the top of the global sustainable development agenda.