Oceans and seas cover over two-thirds of the Earth's surface, provide food and minerals, generate oxygen, absorb greenhouse gases and keep in check climate change, determine weather patterns and temperatures, and serve as highways for sea-borne international trade. Healthy oceans and seas are thus essential to the quest for a more sustainable future for all, and in particular for small island developing states (SIDS) and other coastal developing states. Oceans and seas are, however, facing significant environmental and economic risks that can affect all states. Such risks arise from climate change, a rise in the sea level, acidification of sea water, over-exploitation and poor management of marine resources, and deposit of pollutants and fertilisers in the seas, damaging the seabed and oil, gas and mineral extraction.