Six heads of states to attend WOC

Six heads of states and some 3,000 delegates from 125 countries will attend the World Ocean Conference (WOC) and Coral Triangle Initiative (CTI) Summit, which will be held in Manado from May 11-15.

Noldy Tuerah, of the summit's local organizing committee, said the United States would be sending the most delegates to the forum.

"Unfortunately, President Barack Obama most likely will not be able to attend," Noldy told The Jakarta Post in Manado early this week.

He said delegates from all 33 provinces across Indonesia would also be invited. Star-rated and non-star-rated hotels have been prepared to accommodate participants.

Noldy added the summit would be a good opportunity for the North Sulawesi administration to promote the province as an international maritime and MICE (meeting, incentive, convention and exhibition) tourist destination.

The North Sulawesi provincial government has established a convention and exhibition institution for that purpose, he said.

"The institution is tasked with cooperating with convention bureaus from other countries to bring in various tourist exhibition activities to the province."

Noldy expressed hope the WOC and CTI Summit would also help speed up the development of the the region's fishery industry, which would in turn improve the province's economy, along with the maritime tourism industry.

An international event, Sail Bunaken 2009, will be held in the province in August.

Some 40 countries are expected to participate in the event, during which a parade of warships, toll ships and yachts will be held, along with an attraction presented by some 1,600 divers held to break the world's record.

However, Noldy stressed security would play a key role in the success of both the international events.

"Cooperation between the security forces and the community is absolutely essential."