"Indonesia is proudly hosting the World Ocean Conference 2009 to build commitment for sustainable management of marine resources"
International agreements and conventions on oceans are important as sound references for deriving national policies by countries. However, in many aspects it requires serious political will of world leaders to drive and implement such agreements. Problems such as the impact of climate change on oceans and degradation of land and marine resources have seriously affected global development. Efforts to reverse this trend are urgently required.
11 - 15 MAY 2009 Schedule of WOC
11 - 14 May 2009
World Ocean Conference 2009 (WOC’09), Ministerial Level from 121 Countries. MANADO OCEAN DECLARATION will be declared.
15 May 2009
CORAL TRIANGLE INITATIVE (CTI) SUMMIT, 6 Head of States: Malaysia, Filipina, PNG, Solomon Islands, Timor Leste, Indonesia, and 2 Partners: USA, Australia. Launching of CTI Implementations in 6 countries, results of APEC-Sydney 2007 Declaration.
12 - 14 May 2009
WOC’09 SIDE EVENT: International Ocean Science, Technology & Policy Symposium, 1500 participants in 33 Sessions.
11 - 15 May 2009
WOC’09 SIDE EVENT: International Ocean Science, Technology & Industry Exhibition, 250 Exhibition Stands, including research vessels from: USA, Australia, Japan, Indonesia.
13 May 2009
WOC’09 SIDE EVENT: The Ocean Policy Day.
11 - 15 May 2009
WOC’09 SIDE EVENT: North Sulawesi Cultural Week.
WOC’09 SIDE EVENT: Indo Aqua 2009.
Marine Scout Jamboree, using The Landing Platform Dock Vessel of The Indonesian Navy.
Sail Bunaken
Sail Bunaken will be held on August 12 - 20, 2009. This is the largest international event that ever made in Manado, North Sulawesi.
VISA GUIDE FOR INDONESIA
11 countries and territories are eligible for a "Visa Free" facility.
The Land of Smiling People
North Sulawesi is a land of magnificent coral reefs protecting virginwhite beaches, mountains and active volcanos, reminding the islanders and the world of the potential power of one of the earth's most awesome forces. It is a land of vast coconut plantations fringed along the coastline, which is why the area is also known as "Bumi Nyiur Melambai" or "The Land of Waving Coconut Palms."
The origins of both the names Sulawesi, which has only become common after the Indonesian Independence, and the island's original name Celebes are not clear. Celebes is said to come from the Portuguese, who landed as the first Europeans on the island. When they sailed around it they called it Ponto dos Celebres which means point of the notorious/ill-famed/ill-reputed. This might refer to the many pirates that were sailing in Sulawesi (and Indonesian) waters those days, or to the strong Monsoon winds which caused many ships to sink.
A Tour of Duty in North Sulawesi
The question was a simple one – though it seemed no one had ever thought to ask – what can you do in North Sulawesi besides diving? It seems that there is still a bit of controversy over who opened the first dive resort in Manado
