Ocean Accounts and Maritime Communities

The maritime communities of the South China Sea and peripheries consider the ocean and coastal areas as significant for their lives as they provide the main resources for income and living. In addition, these resources serve the shore and sea-based industries. Significantly, the sea has contributed to the main income of the country and will eventually contribute to the nation’s GNP. Therefore, the South China Sea and the peripheries need to be governed accordingly to assure that ocean resources are conserved and consumed appropriately. The South China Sea is of paramount significance and a strategic area both nationally and internationally where ocean accounts play a  very important role.  The UN Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (ESCAP) and the UN Environment “are leading a global effort to develop statistical guidance based on the System of Environmental Economic Accounting (SEEA). The Ocean Accounts Platform will provide guidance on selecting, prioritizing and standardizing data of national, regional and global importance so that it can be integrated and thereby provide a comprehensive view. This requires a conversation among scientists, policy makers and statisticians” (Asia and the Pacific Regional Expert Workshop on Ocean Accounts, Bangkok, 1-3 August 2018). This session will discuss social, economic, cultural and geopolitical issues in relation to maritime communities and affairs and consider the SEEA framework in ocean accounts including some legal and governance challenges.

Topic under this session:

• International law, policy and governance for the conservation of ocean resource

• Maritime and coastal societies, geopolitics, culture and  economy