THE DEVELOPMENT OF A HOLISTIC NATIONAL MARITIME POLICY FOR SAUDI Essay

THE DEVELOPMENT OF A HOLISTIC NATIONAL MARITIME POLICY FOR SAUDI ARABIA - Essay Example Within this context, the first part of this paper analyzes contemporary international trends in marine policy; exploring this concept of a holistic approach to ocean governance and policy that has been established by international organizations, academia and specialists. The second part analyzes national and regional experiences, prospects and emerging practices with respect to the development of an integrated ocean policy. The third section of the paper examines the current management of maritime affairs in Saudi Arabia and explores how Saudi Arabia can work towards the development of a sustainable, holistic and integrated national maritime policy as part of a conceptually similar overarching marine policy. The paper concludes by showing that Saudi Arabia needs to develop an integrated national maritime policy which incorporates all aspects of the sector and enables a unified set of decision makers to coordinate activities and policies for the greater good of the maritime sector and Saudi Arabia. By so doing, Saudi Arabia can seize the very real opportunity that exists to ensure its long-term success as a nation whose fortunes are very much dependant on the seaways it controls. There is global concern about the impact that industry has on the world's oceans and how to support development of oceans and coasts without destroying the resources available. ... Since then interest in resources has been governed by this "constitution for the Oceans" (Encyclopaedia Britannica, 2007). Contemporary trends have recognized that the current situation is one of unsustainable usage of the world's oceans and that a holistic approach to ocean usage would encourage sustainable usage of these resources. This paper addresses this potential. The "Rio Earth Summit" of 1992 addressed issues and challenges related to sustainable development at the global level. Chapter 17 of Agenda 21 called for new and integrated approaches to the sustainable development of oceans and coasts. There has since emerged an international trend towards the adoption of new approaches to marine policy based on a holistic, integrated and sustainable management of ocean resources at regional and national levels. Within this context, the first part of this paper analyzes contemporary international trends in marine policy; exploring this concept of a holistic approach to ocean governance and policy that has been established by international organizations, academia and specialists. The second part analyzes national and regional experiences, prospects and emerging practices with respect to the development of an integrated ocean policy. The third section of the paper examines the current management of maritime affairs in Saudi Arabia and explores how Saudi Arabia can work towards the development of a sustainable, holistic and integrated national maritime policy as part of a conceptually similar overarching marine policy. I. International Framework for Ocean Governance. Contemporary international trends in marine policy are leaning toward global governance of marine resources. The primary agent for governance is the United Nations. Policies