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