H

uge posters and banners have been put up along the streets of the North Sulawesi capital Manado, host of the first ever World Ocean Conference and the Coral Triangle Initiatives Summit. Almost every building in the city - government offices, churches, schools and malls - have put up posters and banners expressing support for the six-day ocean talks, which kick off Monday.

The WOC is the first global event where world leaders are expected to make commitments on sustainable ways to manage marine resources.

Schools here have attempted to broaden students' knowledge on the ocean and the significance of the events for the province and Indonesia.

"We're holding the conference because we know the ocean is very important for us," Irene, a junior high school student, said Saturday.

The Coral Triangle Initiatives (CTI) on Coral Reefs, Fisheries and Food Security talks are aimed at securing commitments in particular from six governments whose people live along coastlines in the region - Indonesia, the Philippines, Timor Leste, Malaysia, Papua New Guinea and the Solomon Islands - to better manage and protect their joint waters and coral reefs.

The resources of the triangle, home to one of the most diverse populations of marine life, are said to support the lives of more than 120 million people living along the coast within the area.

North Sulawesi Governor Sinyo Harry Sarundajang expressed optimism that Manado could successfully host the event, one of the world's biggest environmental talks this year.

He said delegates from 87 countries had confirmed their participation as of Saturday.

Foreign Minister Hassan Wirajuda, who was here to check on final preparations, said all was ready. Compared to "other countries" preparing for an international event, he said without elaborating, "Manado has done well".

The Ocean Conference will be followed up by the CTI Summit, a symposium on ocean science and policy, a Global Ocean Policy Day, and an exhibition.

On Saturday, delegates began arriving at Sam Ratulangi International Airport.

Maj. Gen. Djoko Susilo Utomo, head of Wirabuana Military Command overseeing Sulawesi, said Friday that apart from the main conference venues and hotels, security forces are deployed at the city's entry points at the airport, seaport, and also at entertainment centers and other public places.

Organizers said Friday some Rp 380 billion (US$36 million) had been spent for the event and the construction and renovation of infrastructure such as roads, airports and other buildings.