The first marine and fisheries ministerial meeting of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) concluded its five-day session in Seoul Friday with representatives of the 21 APEC member countries adopting the Seoul Oceans Declaration. About 400 participants, including Ocean-related ministers, non-governmental organization representatives, chief executive officers, scholars, and researchers attended the event. Under the main theme "Towards Sustainable Marine and Coastal Resources," the participants discussed four major agenda items: sustainable fisheries, marine science and technology, marine environmental protection and integrated oceans, and coastal management. The Seoul Oceans Declaration, adopted on the final day of the meeting, contained pledges to set up an APEC marine and environmental education and training center in Seoul, the holding of a second marine and ocean ministerial meeting in Indonesia in 2004 and preparations to attend the World Summit on sustainable development to be held in South Africa in September.