The overall goals of the World Ocean Conference 2009 are:
1.To increase the understanding of many parties regarding (i) climate change and it's implications for the social and economic welfare of coastal peoples and for the ecological conditions of the marine and coastal zones, (ii) the role of the oceans in determining the way in which global climate change phenomena behave, (iii) the need for mitigation and adaptation measure to face up to the reality of climate change, and
2.To develop a strong commitment from the global community and discuss the future of the world's oceans in relationship to the role of the oceans in climate change processes and the effects of climate change on the oceans.

Entre autres, six chefs d'état de l'Initiative Triangle de Corail (CTI) seront présents à l'occasion de cet évènement.