Second Stakeholders Conference on the development of a European Marine Strategy The Marine Environment; Mare liberum or our common challenge?

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2 Second Stakeholders Conference on the development of a European Marine Strategy The Marine Environment; Mare liberum or our common challenge? November 2004, Rotterdam, the Netherlands The well being of the marine environment is of the utmost importance for a sustainable development both in Europe and at global level. The marine environment is subject to a variety of threats and pressures, which are addressed by a variety of organisations. Protection and conservation of the marine environment is an issue on the agenda for the European Community during the Dutch Presidency. With the aim of providing a more integrated approach to policy making and management, the European Commission published in 2002 a Communication Towards a strategy to protect and conserve the marine environment to the Council and the European Parliament (COM (2002) 539 final). The European Commission aims to develop the strategy in cooperation with Member States, European coastal countries and a number of international governmental organisations engaged in different aspects of the protection of the marine environment (such as the Regional Seas Programmes) as well as with international non-governmental environmental and industrial organisations. A first Stakeholders conference was organised during the Danish EU presidency in Køge, Denmark, 4-6 December A second Stakeholders Conference will now be organised jointly by the European Commission and the Dutch Presidency before a proposal for the Strategy will be presented in its final form in March At this Conference, the Commission will present a set of documents on the basis of which it will build its final proposal for a European Marine Strategy. The main purpose of the Conference will be to discuss at Pan European level and provide further guidance on: The basic documents for elaborating the European Marine Strategy; The practical implications of the Ecosystem Approach to provide an integrated management regime; The implementation of the European Marine Strategy and the role of existing regional organisations, in particular the Regional Seas Conventions. The programme of the conference is attached. It is the common hope of the Dutch Presidency and the European Commission that the Conference will agree on the best way forward to finalise the European Marine Strategy. Welcome to the Netherlands, Rotterdam and the Conference. State Secretary of Transport, Public Works and Water Management Ms. Melanie Schultz van Haegen Also on behalf of Directorate General Environment of the European Commission

3 Wednesday 10 November 2004: Arrival, registration and lunch buffet from to 13.00, Cruise Terminal Rotterdam Official opening address by the Dutch Presidency and the European Commission. Chairman of the conference will be Alan Fisher, Chief Correspondent GMTV, (Good Morning Television) Presentation of the draft European Marine Strategy Patrick Murphy, European Commissioner DG Environment Setting the scene Current Status of the Marine Environment Patricio Bernal, UNESCO, Executive Secretary International Oceanografic Commission A global view on the European Marine Strategy Veerle van de Weerd, Head of UNEP Global Protection from marine pollution from landbased sources in The Hague, the Netherlands Tea/Coffee break A natural vision Katarina Veem, Programme Director, Oceans and Coasts WWF Sweden Implementation and cooperation in the regions Committee of the regions Wim van Gelder, Queens Commissioner in the province of Zeeland, the Netherlands Plenary discussion Introduction to the working group sessions Official dinner at the NH-ATLANTA hotel hosted by the Dutch Minister Karla Peijs

4 Thursday, 11 November 2004: First working group session. Three working groups will run in parallel this morning. Participants are kindly requested to indicate their interest upon registration. (please see registration form) Working group I: European Marine Strategy; approach and instruments Chairman: Pat Murphy/ Bob Dekker Reporter: Reinier Goud Our oceans and seas play key roles in climate and weather patterns. They also generate wealth and they provide important food resources and employment for a significant number of people. However, our oceans and seas are under threat: in some cases to the extent that their structure and function is being jeopardised. If our oceans and seas are not preserved their ecological capital will erode and the wealth generation and employment opportunities of future generations will be put at risk. Therefore, our Vision for the Marine Environment is that our next generation can enjoy biologically diverse oceans and seas that are clean, healthy and productive. Documents on the basis of which the European Commission will build its proposal for the European Marine Strategy will be made available before the Stakeholders Conference. Participants in this working group will be invited to comment on the approach taken in these documents and the instruments envisaged for implementing this approach. Content of the approach as well as the instruments proposed can be discussed. With a view to facilitating and focusing the discussion, a debate by means of propositions will be prepared. Working Group II: Ecosystem approach, from vision to action Chairman: Olle Hagstrom / Carien van Zwol Reporter : Dan Laffoley The European Marine Strategy will be made operational and implemented at a regional level by means of an ecosystem approach to the management of human activities (Ecosystem Approach). The term ecosystem approach can be technically defined as the comprehensive integrated management of human activities based on best available scientific knowledge about the ecosystem and its dynamics, in order to identify and take action on influences which are critical to the health of the marine ecosystems, thereby achieving sustainable use of ecosystem goods and services and maintenance of ecosystem integrity. However, the concept of the ecosystem approach should be kept simple. This is considered imperative in order to both explain and gain the necessary levels of political and public support.

5 This working group will discuss the challenge to work from concept to practical implementation, from vision to action. How does this approach create opportunities to achieve the integrated multi-sectoral management regime we are looking for? Working Group III: Regional Implementation; puting the strategy into practice Chairman: Ben van de Wetering / Els de Wit Reporter: Jeanette Plokker To achieve the integration needed and to achieve the strategic goals, there is a clear need for coherence between all policies (EU as well as regional seas) that affect the marine environment. The Dutch Presidency will prepare a study in which the existing activities of regional organisations contributing to the Strategic Goals and Objectives of the EMS will be described. This document will provide a basis for discussion in this working group. The commonalities, differences and gaps will be reviewed. This working group will provide a roadmap to develop action plans for implementation of the EMS through amongst others the Regional Seas Conventions Tea/Coffee Break Lunch hosted by Pieter Struijs, Vice-chairman of the Executive Board of the Port of Rotterdam Second Working group sessions drafting of conclusions Tea/Coffee Break End of day programme

6 Friday, 12 November 2004: Plenary Session The chairmen of the groups will present the conclusions from the working groups Discussion and adoption of conclusions Tea/Coffee break Closing of the Conference Representative of the European Commission Lunch Press Conference with the Dutch Presidency and the European Commission

7 Practical information registration Arrival and departure Arrival date: 10 November 2004 (morning) Conference: November 2004 Departure date: 12 November 2004 (afternoon) Venue and Accommodation The venue for the conference is the Cruise Terminal in Rotterdam, for more info see We have selected two hotels which are close to this venue: NH- Atlanta Hotel, Rotterdam, Hilton Hotel, Rotterdam, Accommodation Hotel room is booked at the registration form (see enclosed). Costs for hotel room, breakfast and personal expenditures are to be paid by the participants directly to the hotels. Transportation From the Amsterdam Schiphol Airport and Rotterdam International Airport trains, busses and taxis are available. Upon check-in in the hotels you will receive a 3-day ticket valid for all public transport in Rotterdam. After registration you will receive a route description to the conference venue and the hotels. Registration The Conference is not open to general registration. Invitations to a limited number of participants are issued to EU-member countries, candidate countries, EEA countries, regional marine conventions and relevant Pan-European NGO s. The number of invited participants is limited to 3 persons per country or international organisation. The working groups can only be attented by 1 representative per country or international organisation. Registration and hotel reservation can only be made by filling out the enclosed registration form and sending it by fax or to Brilman en Partners BV. Brilman en Partners BV FAX: EMS2004@brilmanenpartners.nl Please note: The registration has to be received not later than 1 October The Conference is held as a joint venture between the Dutch Presidency (Ministry of Transport, Public Works and Water Management) and the European Commission.

8 Way to the Schiphol EU Welcome Desk Arriving at Schiphol Amsterdam Airport, you can proceed to the EU Welcome Desk, which is located between arrival hall 1 and 2. You can find this point, just after customs, next to Schiphol Information. A host(ess) will refer you to your means of transport. In case there is no host(ess) available, you can report yourself at Schiphol Information, where they can be of your assistance.