The following list of international organizations, treaties and conventions is a subset of all such entities to which Barbados is a participant or signatory. However all of the bodies and agreements listed have special relevance to the mandate of CZMU in the areas of environmental resource management, coastal conservation and hazard risk management.
International Conventions and Committees
United Nations General Assembly (UNGA)
Established in 1945 under the Charter of the United Nations, The General Assembly is the main policymaking and representative mouthpiece of the United Nations (UN). Any decisions of importance, such as those on peace and security, admission of new members and budgetary matters, require a two-thirds majority. Each of the 193 Member States has a right to one vote on these designated important issues. It also plays a significant role in the process of standard-setting and the codification of international law. The Assembly meets in regular session intensively from September to December each year, and thereafter as required.
United Nations World Ocean Assessment (UNWOA): Regular Process for Global Reporting and Assessment of the State of the Marine Environment Including Socioeconomic Aspects
The Regular Process was established by the UNGA through a series of resolutions. The objective for the Regular Process is articulated in UNGA Resolution 57/141, (2005) “to improve understanding of the oceans and to develop a global mechanism for delivering science-based information to decision makers and public”.
United Nations International Strategy for Disaster Reduction (UNISDR)
The UNISDR is the UN office for disaster risk reduction. At the Third UN World Conference on disaster Risk Reduction on March 18, 2015 in Sendai, Japan, the Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction 2015-2030 (Sendai Framework) was adopted. The Sendai Framework is a 15 year voluntary, non- binding agreement that maps out a broad, people-centred approached to disaster risk reduction.
United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO)
In 1945, UNESCO was founded, in 1945, in order to respond to the firm belief of nations, that political and economic agreements are not enough to build a lasting peace. Peace must be established on the basis of humanity’s moral and intellectual solidarity.
The following committees are all under UNESCO:
International Oceanographic Commissions (IOC)
UNESCO’s Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission (IOC) promotes international cooperation and coordinates programmes in marine research, services, observation systems, hazard mitigation, and capacity development in order to understand and effectively manage the resources of the ocean and coastal areas. IOC aims to improve the governance, management, institutional capacity, and decision-making processes of its Member States with respect to marine resources and climate variability and to foster sustainable development of the marine environment, in particular in developing countries.
IOCARIBE
IOCARIBE is a regional subsidiary body of UNESCO Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission (IOC). It is the IOC Sub-Commission for the Caribbean and Adjacent Regions and is responsible for the promotion, development and co-ordination of IOC marine scientific research programmes, the ocean services, and related activities, including Capacity Development at a regional level for the benefit of its Member States. In establishing its programmes, it takes into account the specific interests and needs of the Member States in the region.
International Oceanographic Data and Exchange (IODE)
The International Oceanographic Data and Information Exchange programme (IODE) of the (IOC) of UNESCO was established in 1961. Its purpose is to enhance marine research, exploitation and development, by facilitating the exchange of oceanographic data and information between participating Member States, and by meeting the needs of users for data and information products. The IOC Member States has established data centres in over 80 countries across the world.
United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC)
The UNFCCC, established in March 1994, is a Rio Convention- one of the three adopted at the Rio Earth Summit in 1992. It has 196 Parties and is the parent treaty of the Kyoto Protocol which has been ratified in 192 of the UNFCCC Parties. The main objective of the UNFCCC is to stabilize the concentrations of greenhouse gases (GHGs) in the atmosphere to prevent dangerous human interference with the climate system.
International Maritime Organization (IMO)
IMO is the United Nations specialized agency with responsibility for the safety and security of shipping and the prevention of marine pollution by ships. Their role is to implement a regulated framework for the shipping industry that is fair and effective that is adopted universally.
United Nations Convention on Law of the Sea (UNCLOS)
UNCLOS was established in 1982. It coordinates a comprehensive system of law and order in the world’s oceans and seas implementing rules governing all uses of the oceans and their resources. It also provides a framework for further development of specific areas of laws of the sea.
Global Climate Change Alliance (GCCA)
The GCCA was established by the European Union (EU) in 2007 to strengthen cooperation between developing countries, specifically Small Island Developing States (SIDS) and Least Developed Countries (LDCs). It is one of the most significant climate initiatives in the world that is active in over 38 countries, 8 regions and sub-regions with over 50 programmes. The goal of the GCCA is to ensure that poor developing countries that are most vulnerable to climate change are able to increase their adaptation to the effects of climate change.
Economic Commission for Latin American and the Caribbean (ECLAC)
ECLAC is one of the five regional commissions of the United Nations. The purpose of ECLAC is to promote the economic and social development of its 44 Member States through regional and sub-regional cooperation. They also assist and provide Governments of Member States with advice when requested.