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From August 11 to 12, IMO Secretary-General Koji Sekimizu [pictured] will be among the high-level attendees as the Expo 2012 World Fair in Yeosu, Korea, nears its close. The Expo, which runs from 12 May to 12 August 2012, is being held in Korea’s southern port city of Yeosu, under the theme: The Living Ocean and Coast: Diversity of Resources and Sustainable Activities.

Prior to the closing of Expo 2012, the Yesou Declaration will be adopted and announced. As an intellectual legacy of Expo 2012, the declaration aims to enhance the awareness of the urgent issues related to the sea and oceans and promote the necessary concerted efforts of the international community.

IMO is participating in the UN pavilion at the event, which brings together more than 20 UN agencies, funds and programmes and international organizations to showcase their collective work in helping to protect and sustainably use our oceans and coasts. It will also have a dedicated exhibition in the UN Pavilion from 10-12 August 2012.

Mr Sekimizu will participate in a high level panel discussion as part of the Yeosu Declaration Forum, and use the event to reiterate his, and IMO’s firm commitment to sustainable maritime development, which was re-affirmed at the recent “Rio+20” United Nations Conference on Sustainable Development in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.

The Yeosu Expo is providing an opportunity to enhance the international community’s perception of the function and value of the ocean and coast, share knowledge on the proper use of the ocean and coast and recognize the need for cooperation in the marine sector.

It is also serving as a venue to showcase the achievements of, and future models for, the marine sector and to promote state-of-the-art marine science and technology in the marine industries.

The UN Pavilion at Expo 2012 Yeosu Korea features a vibrant "blue world". The exhibits aim to raise awareness about the importance of healthy, safe and sustainable oceans. The displays also highlight the invaluable services and ecosystem functions provided by oceans and coasts - from the food we eat to the oxygen we breathe.