Dr. Fortes noted that “the Philippines is not in agreement with the plan to revert the Capacity Development Programme of IOC back under the other IOC programmes…The current CD strategy has a good start. But this is incomplete. Whether we like it or not, IOC must help solve problems confronting our seas and oceans NOW! Solving these problems means putting into the equation, societal needs. And in so doing we should include the coastal communities as the ultimate CD beneficiaries.”

On Ocean Fertilization, Dr Fortes said, “It is high time that IOC, along its mandate and expertise, make a significant contribution regarding this topic. The Summary for Policy Makers is a plausible initial step. But bear in mind that unless a global moratorium is put in place, southern islands and coastal developing countries will continue to be the primary target for unregulated ocean fertilization projects.”

“Coastal ecosystems are interlinked, even with the forests. Protect them and you protect the coasts, sustain peoples’ livelihoods, conserve biodiversity and mitigate and adapt them to the impacts of climate change!,” Dr. Fortes declared when he presented the Philippine Intervention on Climate Change. for more details