"The experts will examine progress made in achieving the objectives set by the international community ... to improve conservation and management of the marine environment that makes up 72 percent of the surface of our planet," according to a press release.

Seventy-eight countries are represented in the week-long conference, including 21 small island developing states (SIDS), which are heavily dependent on the sea for economic development.

UNESCO said the conference would also tackle questions of governance and climate change.

"High seas governance is particularly important as 64 percent of the worlds oceans lie beyond the limits of national jurisdictions and are subject to considerable stress, notably due to fishing," UNESCO said.

"The debate on oceans and climate will focus on the problems of acidification, carbon dioxide sequestration and Arctic change.

"Climate change is expected to emerge as a major cause for the loss of biodiversity by the end of the century and to increase the vulnerability of coastal communities through erosion and flooding," it said.

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