The United Nations atlas of the oceans is all about sustainability. Whether discussing the issues in the ocean or the uses of the ocean, sustainability is always present, at least in the background. Nevertheless, there are broad crosscutting aspects of sustainability that cannot be put into any one box but rather must be treated in an integrated manner. Foremost among these is the concept of the science that will bring us to a sustainable future. Whether the science is doing work to develop new technologies or analytical methods or even recommending social institutions to enhance humankind's relationship with its environment, it is a very new field of endeavor. At the same time, policymakers across the globe, are working to resolve major problems such as global warming, overfishing, and general degradation of the ocean and coastal environment. They cannot wait for new scientific developments, but they must act now to preserve our heritage and pass it intact to subsequent generations. (Image courtesy of NOAA)

Oceans and seas was the sectoral theme for CSD-7 in 1999. For this purpose, a number of intersessional initiatives, organized by governments, international organizations or NGOs, provided important inputs into the preparations for the oceans discussions at CSD- 7. In addition, Member States submitted their national information on this topic. Oceans and seas is the focus of Chapter 17 of Agenda 21. Detailed information including decisions already made is available at the CSD site on oceans.

At the 11th Session of the CSD (CSD-11, held in New York from 28 April-9 May 2003), decisions were made on the Commission's future programme and organization of work. It was agreed that the CSD's multi-year programme of work beyond 2003 would be organized on the basis of seven two-year cycles, with each cycle focusing on selected thematic clusters of issues.