. .
�Implementation of strategies relative to coastal areas and seas requires institutional arrangements at national, regional and global levels.�
�It is important that an integrated and multi-sectoral approach to marine issues is pursued.�
� Strengthen the capacity of international organisations to handle information.�
�Promote exchange of information on marine and coastal issues.�
�The General Assembly should provide for regular consideration, at the intergovernmental level of marine and coastal issues.�
�Promote greater collaboration between the United Nations agencies.�
�States should develop a comprehensive programme for meeting the core human resource needs in marine sciences.�
��Environmental policies should deal with the root causes of environmental degradation.�
Agenda 21, Chapter 17, Section F
Strengthening International, Including Regional Cooperation and Coordination
"Cooperation among states, including the harmonisation of protection measures, mutual exchange of information, coordination of monitoring and the provision of technical and financial assistance is essential for achieving regional and global objectives for preservation and protection of the marine environment" (GESAMP, 1991).
The solution to global problems and the key to progress is thought to be through cooperation by governments. Addressed here is the issue of cooperation and coordination and its role in supporting and supplementing national efforts.
What problems however, exist in attempting to implement cooperation and coordination
The job of coordination is complex and important, as all levels of government must be involved along with all development interests.
It requires efficient communication and effective dialog.
In many countries, ocean information is scarce and what is available is difficult to obtain at the national level.
Comparable and reliable information is not readily exchanged between neighbouring countries.
The Arctic Ocean is an example where littoral states have been urged to cooperate in coordinating conservation and exploitation of living resources, protection of the marine environment, and scientific research policies and programs, (Vanderzwaag & Lamson, 1986).
How does Agenda 21 propose to manage cooperation and coordination?
By promoting intergovernmental reviews on marine issues of environment and development.
Strengthening institutional arrangements to ensure effective coordination is established within the UN system, e.g., regular consultations within the General Assembly and between other organisations. Include a periodic review of all aspects of the marine environment.
Through international cooperation meet the needs of human resources in marine sciences by scientific and technological needs, i.e., education and training, public information to act as supporting measures.
Through renewed system-wide efforts, international cooperation and support for capacity-building in trade, environment and development can be improved, with greater responsiveness to sustainable development objectives.
Regional and sub-regional cooperation, e.g., Regional Seas Programme of UNEP should be strengthened. Without this, solutions to the oceans problems, i.e., not respecting artificial man-made boundaries cannot be effectively achieved (Keckes, 1992).
In the Baltic Sea for example, eutrophication and the continued high input of toxic substances, particularly near industrialised centres deemed it necessary to develop certain multilateral agreements relevant to its environmental concerns. It was on 22 March 1974 that the seven states of the Baltic region - Denmark, Sweden, Finland, USSR, Poland, German Democratic Republic, and the Federal Republic of Germany - signed the Convention on the Protection of the Marine Environment (HELCOM) at its Secretariat in Helsinki, Finland. The parties recognised their responsibility " to protect and enhance the values of the marine environment of the Baltic Sea area for the benefit of their peoples," and that this "cannot effectively be accomplished by national efforts only but that close regional cooperation aiming to fulfil these tasks is urgently needed". Agreements such as this are an important contribution to political cooperation among the seven Baltic States and the success of the intergovernmental action in protecting the Baltic Sea was certainly the inspiration to initiate conventions for similar-sized semi-closed marine areas like the Red Sea and the Mediterranean.