CORPUS CHRISTI, Texas, Feb. 2, 2007 (PRIME NEWSWIRE) -- Sustaining and protecting the world's coral reefs, preparing for hurricanes with global early warning systems, and increasing port security to defend against terrorism will dominate presentations and discussions at the upcoming Ocean Security Initiative 2007 Conference Feb 10-12 in Corpus Christi.
The Ocean Security Initiative (OSI), the U.S. Departments of State and Commerce, and the Port of Corpus Christi are hosting the international conference that will see more than 200 delegates, technical experts, high officers, ambassadors, and legislators from more than 34 nations -- including over 20 members of the U.S. Congress in attendance -- to explore new approaches to the many challenges faced by the world's oceans.
"This is not a matter for one conference or one nation," said U.S. Congressman and OSI 2007 host Solomon P. Ortiz. "Finding those solutions requires efforts beyond legislators and must include academia, the private sector and a commitment by each nation worldwide. Only when we face it together can we find new and better ways to protect our oceans."
The ongoing threat of terrorism at sea and in port countries, the degradation of environment apparent in areas dependent on tourism to sustain economies, and the recent and ongoing destruction and desperation resulting climate-related disasters are all issues on the agenda.
The aim of the conference is to bring together world leaders with the power and ability to understand the issues and then put into action ways and means of preparing for and mitigating these challenges -- starting by dealing with the issues on a global basis. The conference will comprise an intensive three-day program of discussion, debate, and planning for the future to ensure engagement among all players from 34 nations, big and small, rich and developing. The conference will include concurrent round-table Technical segments, followed by Ministerial Segments involving the dissemination and approval of technical segment discussions. Round-table discussions will be designed to afford ample time for audience interaction and involvement. Keynote speeches at the opening of the Ministerial segments will be broadcast live with a press conference to follow.
Special international delegates will include: H.E. Minister Guillermo Plata, Minister of Trade, Industry and Tourism of Colombia, who will be accompanied by eight Colombian senators; H.E. Mamadou Tall, the Deputy Minister of Environment and Protection of Nature of Senegal; Rear Admiral Neil Morisetti, Commander of the United Kingdom Maritime Force; Admiral Lord Boyce, First Sea Lord and Chief of Defense of the United Kingdom; Rear Admiral Richard Cobbold, Director of Royal United Services Institute (RUSI) from the United Kingdom; Mr. Dario Jordan Hamlin, Advisor to the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Venezuela; Admiral Jacques Lanxade, Former Joint Chief of Staff, former French Ambassador to Tunisia, Chairman of the Mediterranean Foundation for Strategic Studies, Toulon, France; Admiral Cees van Duyvendijk, Chairman, Council for Defense Research, Netherlands Organization for Applied Scientific Research (TNO); and Rear Admiral Roberto Patruno, former Head of REMPEC from Italy.
Participants from UN agencies and International organizations will include: Mr. Salvano Bricenyo, Director, UN International Strategy for Disaster Reduction (UN/ISDR); Mr. Douglas Pattie, Coordinator of the Platform for Promotion of Early Warning, UN International Strategy for Disaster Reduction (UN/ISDR); Mr. Cesar Toro, Secretary of IOCARIBE of UNESCO; Mr. Doug Wilson, Co-Chairman of Global Oceans Observation System (GOOS) of IOCARIBE; Ms. Paula Caballero, UNDP-GEF Regional Technical Advisor International Waters for Latin America and the Caribbean; Mr. Franklin McDonald, Advisor to the Caribbean Environment Program (CEP), UNEP; Dr. Stephen F. Lintner, Senior Advisor, Quality Assurance and Compliance Unit, The World Bank; Captain Mario Palacios, Director of Scientific Affairs, the Permanent Commission on South Pacific (CPPS); Dr. Ruben Arturo Silie Valdez, Secretary General of the Association of Caribbean States; Mr. Luis Carpio, Director, ACS-AEC- Association of Caribbean States; Dr. Robin Mahon, Director, Centre for Resource Management and Environmental Studies (CERMES), University of West Indies, Barbados; Mr. Vincent Sweeney, Regional Coordinator, GEF Project on Integrating Watershed & Coastal Areas Management (IWCAM) Project, St. Lucia; and Mr. Cletus I. Springer, Senior Sustainable Development Specialist/Area Coordinator - Caribbean Region, Department of Sustainable Development, Organization of American States.
Key participants from the USA will include: Hon. Congressman Ike Skelton, Chairman, House Armed Services Committee; Hon. Congressman Silvestre Reyes, Chairman, Intelligence Committee, House of Representatives, Member of OSI Congressional Advisory Board; Hon. Congressman Solomon Ortiz, Chairman, Military Readiness Sub-Committee, Armed Services Committee; Hon. Congressman Neil Abercrombie, Chairman, House Armed Services Subcommittee on Air and Land Forces; and Hon. Congressman Gene Taylor, U.S. House of Representatives, Chairman, Seapower and Expeditionary Forces Sub-Committee, Armed Services Committee.
OSI is a non-profit, non-governmental agency dedicated to an innovative and comprehensive endeavor to stimulate the creation of broad-based partnerships for the promotion of global and regional security and environmental sustainability of the world's oceans and coastal areas. OSI is based firmly on the concept of developing lasting security as a collaborative effort that transcends national, political and cultural boundaries. The Corpus Christi Conference will be followed by workshops in selected countries of the region on specific themes with a view to implementing solutions.
Information on conference dates, speakers, participants, flights, hotel and accommodation for the OSI Conference can be found on the event website at www.osi-int.org. All media inquiries and requests for interviews may be directed to Naomi le Bihan, Phone (403) 471-4494, E-mail: naomi@osi-int.org