Land/Ocean Conference opening

MONTEGO BAY, St James — The Second Global Conference on Land-Ocean Connections (GLOC-2) opened Wednesday morning at the Hilton Rose Hall in Montego Bay with over 200 delegates from 50 countries in attendance. The three-day gathering of scientists, experts, policy makers and NGOs, under the theme ‘Building Bridges through Partnerships’ will see recommendations made towards the implementation of the Global Programme of Action for the Protection of the Marine Environment from Land-based Activities. GLOC 2 will explore current and emerging environmental management challenges that result from land-based activities, with a priority focus on the management of marine litter, waste water and nutrients, as well as identifying possible solutions and the associated opportunities that exist in managing these issues at global regional and national levels. The conference was organised by the United Nations Environment Programme and the Jamaican Government through the National Environment and Planning Agency. A concurrent media workshop on the issues is also underway.