The object of this conference is to bring together scientists, experts, policy makers and NGOs to discuss current and emerging issues in the marine and coastal sector with a focus on GPA related topics. The overall purpose of Conference is:

To review policy and implementation frameworks addressing key marine and coastal issues and emerging solutions ensuring that those frameworks are:

- Contributing effectively to the development of strengthened and resilient marine and coastal ecosystems serving coastal and upstream communities; and

- In so doing helping to meet the new environmental resource management challenges which the international community is facing in developing –more resource efficient a lower carbon economy based on sustainable food, energy and water security and quality.

The conference will provide sound science-based and objective recommendations for the IGR-3 meeting, which immediately follows the GLOC, as well as a draft key message for addressing GPA related issues and actions at Rio+20. The GLOC is structured around the proposed priority themes for the GPA: water quality (nutrients and wastewater); marine litter, and integrated coastal zone management at regional, national and sub-national levels, as a platform for mainstreaming the GPA and associated National Programmes of Action (NPAs).