Objectives

The GESAMP mechanism functions under the auspices of ten UN Organizations, all with substantial maritime and ocean interests and potentially overlapping responsibilities. Sustainable governance of the marine environment requires a multidisciplinary, scientific understanding of marine ecosystems and human activities that affect them. This is an increasing concern for the UN as a whole and GESAMP was created to meet this need.

GESAMP ensures that its sponsoring organizations:

  • Identify areas of common scientific interest (to reduce duplication)
  • Reduce costs by co-sponsoring
  • Receive consistency in the advice provided
  • Place their specialised activities in a broader perspective

Ocean sustainability requires a policy approach that is:

  • Cross-sectoral and interdisciplinary
  • Based on scientific understanding of marine ecosystems and human activities that affect them

There is a practical need for UN Agencies to:

  • Reduce duplication
  • Identify areas of common interest
  • Foster consistency in received advice
  • Place their specialised activities in a broader perspective