International Ocean Institute Training Programme

UNEP(OCA)/LBA/IG.2/7
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10. As set out in paragaph 17.23 of Agenda 21, States agree that provision of additional financial
resources, through appropriate international mechanisms, as well as access to cleaner technologies
and relevant research, would be necessary to support action by developing countries to implement
this commitment.
11. Agenda 21 linked the implementation of those duties with action to implement commitments to
integrated management and sustainable development of the marine environment, including coastal
areas under national jurisdiction. In this regard, States agreed to implement the provisions of the
programme of action adopted at the World Coast Conference in Noordwijk in 1993 and to further
develop those provisions in order to make them more operational.
12. Agenda 21 also linked action to combat marine degradation caused by land-based activities to
action to address the specific problems of small island developing States. In this regard, States
agreed to implement the provisions of the priority areas of the Programme of Action for the
Sustainable Development of Small Island Developing States, adopted in Barbados in 1994.
13. In order to promote, facilitate and finance implementation of Agenda 21 by developing
countries, an objective of Agenda 21 is to provide additional financial resources that are both
adequate and predictable. Another objective in this context is to promote, facilitate and finance, as
appropriate, the access to and the transfer of environmentally sound technologies and
corresponding know-how, in particular to developing countries, on favourable terms, including
concessional and preferential terms, as mutually agreed, taking into account the need to protect
intellectual property rights as well as the special needs of developing countries for the
implementation of Agenda 21.
D. The Global Programme of Action
14. The Programme of Action, therefore, is designed to be a source of conceptual and practical
guidance to be drawn upon by national and/or regional authorities in devising and implementing
sustained action to prevent, reduce, control and/or eliminate marine degradation from land-based
activities. Effective implementation of this Programme of Action is a crucial and essential step
forward in the protection of the marine environment and will promote the objectives and goals of
sustainable development.
15. The Global Programme of Action reflects the fact that States face a growing number of
commitments flowing from Agenda 21 and related conventions. Its implementation will require
new approaches by, and new forms of collaboration among, Governments, organizations and
institutions with responsibilities and expertise relevant to marine and coastal areas, at all levelsnational,
regional and global. These include the promotion of innovative financial mechanisms to
generate needed resources.
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