THE GOVERNOR OF NORTH SULAWESI PROVINCE

Greetings from Manado ‘the land of smiling people’

We have to give thanks to God Almighty for His love and blessings that the Government of North Sulawesi, in collaboration with the Ministry of Marine and Fishery Republic of Indonesia, will hold the International Ocean Science, Technology and Policy Symposium as a supporting event for the World Ocean Conference in 2009.
This symposium will discuss various aspects related to ocean including physical, biological, technological and social economic aspects, which will be presented in the 28 parallel sessions for three days. The purposes of this symposium are:

1. As an arena for sharing latest information among the scientists, managers, practitioners, entrepreneurs and policy-makers of their knowledge and understanding;
2. As a promotional event for inviting leaders and experts from various countries, directly or indirectly, to attend the WOC 2009 in Manado, North Sulawesi.

Manado, North Sulawesi is a strategic place to hold this symposium for its beautiful scenery of ocean, and its richness of natural resources and unique cultures. Therefore, it is hoped that participants of both WOC and symposium and other international events could help promote the exotic beauty of Manado, North Sulawesi as an attractive place for tourist destination and for investment.
Several famous and beautiful places are Bunaken Marine Park, the Flower City of Tomohon and the Bonita City of Bitung which have abundant various spices, mouth-watering seafood and many other ‘not to miss’ places for tourists to visit.
Ahead of us is a multinational event, an international event which will bring up North Sulawesi and Indonesia in the global stage, it is the World Ocean Conference (WOC) which will be held on May 11 – 15, 2009. With the WOC 2009 we hope to introduce to the world that North Sulawesi is an exceptional place for trade, tourism and investment. This is part of promotion of a region in a global scale.
I am certain that the event of World Ocean Conference 2009, will open the eyes of the world that Indonesia is blessed with numerous stunning places for tourism and is a safe and prospective area for investment. Therefore, our target is after WOC, in which we expect that it will trigger the growing and developing of investment and tourism in Indonesia and North Sulawesi.
Finally, I would like to welcome your participation in the International Ocean Science, Technology and Policy Symposium 2009. May God Almighty bless us with all wisdom and strength to develop our beloved region and country.

Thank you.

GOVERNOR OF NORTH SULAWESI

S. H. SARUNDAJANG