NAURU FAILS TO PARTICIPATE IN WOC

Manado, May 9 (ANTARA) - Nauru, a tropical island country in the South West Pacific, had to cancel its participation in the World Ocean Conference (WOC) in Manado, North Sulawesi, May 11-15, 2009, for difficulties in securing a flight through Australia.

It is quite a pity for Nauru, which is also a plateau encircled by coral cliffs and beautiful sand beaches, not to take part in the WOC, as it would miss discussions on marine affairs, WOC national committee secretary Indriono Susilo said in Manado over the weekend.

Nauru is one of the 121 countries including the United Nations, the Indonesian government has invited, with discussion of marine affairs and threats on the life of human beings.

While the number of countries which had reported to the WOC has reached 64 with 1780 delegates.

The number of participants would continue to increase until the last minutes of the WOC opening ceremony, said Indriono, who is also Secretary General to the Minister Coordinating People's Welfare.

In the meantime, 10 world institutions under the United Nations will support the event, including the UNDP, ENEP, FAO, World Bank, Global Forum, USAID, NOAA and some others.

A number of participants from various countries will be given secured and safe accommodations, including star-rated and conventional hotels, and presentable residential facilities of the local population.