General Acknowledgements

Circular ID	TG-0.3
Version	3.0
Badge	Core
Status	Draft
Last Updated	May 2026

1. Requirements

1None. This Circular serves as a standalone reference.

2. Acknowledgements

2.1 Global Ocean Accounts Partnership

1The Global Ocean Accounts Partnership (GOAP) represents a commitment to improving, harmonising, and applying ocean-related data in accordance with international standards and in keeping with the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. The Partnership was established in response to growing recognition that no single organisation has the mandate or influence to improve how the ocean is measured, how its benefits are realised, or how it is protected. Effective ocean accounting requires collaboration across levels, countries, disciplines, and sectors. ESCAP initiated the first Asia and the Pacific Regional Expert Workshop on Ocean Accounts in August 2018 and supported pilot studies in China, Indonesia, Malaysia, Samoa, Thailand, Vanuatu, and Viet Nam during 2019.

2The GOAP Panel of Technical Experts comprises specialists in various aspects of ocean accounting from around the world. Its work is framed towards improving understanding of the economic and scientific factors affecting the health of the ocean, and towards generating information that will make more effective action possible. The Panel identifies new challenges in ocean accounting, provides advisory assistance to countries undertaking ocean accounts, and defines priority areas for technical guidance development. The UN Statistical Commission requested ESCAP and UN Environment to take the lead in developing guidance for ocean statistics. The Technical Guidance also provides input to, and benefits from, the revision of the System of Environmental-Economic Accounting (SEEA) and the development of SEEA for Oceans.

2.2 Institutional Contributors

1Founding and hosting institutions

2University of New South Wales (UNSW) — hosts the GOAP Secretariat
3United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (ESCAP) — founding partner, pilot study coordination

4United Nations system

5United Nations Statistics Division (UNSD)
6United Nations Environment Programme (UN Environment)
7Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission of UNESCO, Sub-Commission for the Western Pacific (IOC-UNESCO WESTPAC)
8Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (UN-FAO)
9International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN)
10United Nations Institute for Training and Research (UNITAR)

11International organisations

12Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD)
13World Bank
14GRID-Arendal
15Partnerships in Environmental Management for the Seas of East Asia (PEMSEA)
16GEO Blue Planet Initiative
17Secretariat of the Pacific Regional Environment Programme (SPREP)
18The Pacific Community (SPC)
19Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN)
20Association of Pacific Rim Universities (APRU)
21Conservation International
22World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF)
23AIR Centre

24Research institutions and consultancies

25Yale University
26Stony Brook University
27Cape Peninsula University of Technology (CPUT)
28Middlebury Institute of International Studies (MIIS) / Center for the Blue Economy (CBE)
29Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation (CSIRO)
30IDEEA Group
31International Institute for Environment and Development (IIED)
32Centre for Environment, Fisheries and Aquaculture Science (Cefas), United Kingdom
33University of Antwerp
34University College London
35University of Aveiro
36University of Ottawa
37European Environment Agency
38Australian National University
39University of Wollongong
40University of Peradeniya
41University of British Columbia
42University of Malaya
43University of Technology Sydney
44Nanjing University
45Dalian Ocean University
46IPB University, Indonesia
47De La Salle Lipa
48Australian National Centre for Ocean Resources and Security
49Ocean Frontier Institute
50Ocean Policy Research Institute
51National Oceanography Centre, United Kingdom
52Institute of Science and Innovation for Bio-sustainability
53The Paulson Institute
54Climalysis
55Asian Institute of Technology (AIT)

56Government agencies and national statistical offices

57Statistics Canada
58National statistical offices of China, Malaysia, Samoa, Thailand, and Viet Nam (through ESCAP pilot studies)
59National statistical offices of Bangladesh, Cambodia, Fiji, Indonesia, Myanmar, Palau, Papua New Guinea, Philippines, Sri Lanka, Timor-Leste, and Vanuatu (through workshops and dialogues)

2.3 Individual Contributors

2.3.1 Coordinating and Lead Authors (First Edition)

1Michael Bordt (ESCAP)
2Ben Milligan (University of New South Wales)
3Kenneth Findlay (Cape Peninsula University of Technology)
4Teerapong Praphotjanaporn (ESCAP)

2.3.2 Contributing Authors and Editors (First Edition)

1Zeba Ali (Canada)
2Jillian Campbell (UN Environment)
3Lyutong Cai (ESCAP)
4Charles Colgan (Middlebury Institute of International Studies)
5Samy Djavidnia (GEO Blue Planet Initiative)
6Anthony Dvarskas (Stony Brook University)
7Eli Fenichel (Yale University)
8Giuseppe “Joe” Filoso (Canada)
9Jordan Gacutan (University of New South Wales)
10Philip James (SPC / UK DEFRA)
11Coulson Lantz (University of New South Wales and City of San Diego)
12Essam Yassin Mohammed (IIED)
13Ina Porras (IIED / DFID)
14François Soulard (Canada)
15Sanjay Srivastava (ESCAP)
16Andy Steven (CSIRO Australia)

2.3.3 Reviewers (First Edition)

1Jeff Adkins (USA)
2Alessandra Alfieri (UNSD)
3Yannick Beaudoin (GRID-Arendal)
4Annelies Boerema (University of Antwerp)
5Jessica Chan (UNSD)
6Alison Fairbrass (University College London)
7Monica Grasso (USA)
8Gaetano Grilli (Cefas UK)
9Rocky Harris (UK)
10Marko Javorsek (UNSD)
11Claire Jolly (OECD)
12Miguel Angel Jorge (World Bank)
13Leota Kosi Latu (SPREP)
14Tiziana Luisetti (Cefas UK)
15Márcia Marques (University of Aveiro)
16Peter Meadows (Australia)
17Sanjesh Naidu (ESCAP)
18Carl Obst (IDEEA Group)
19Jan-Erik Petersen (European Environment Agency)
20Rosimeiry Gomes Portela (Conservation International)
21Marc Saner (University of Ottawa)
22Emily Smail (USA)
23Michael Vardon (Australian National University)
24Wendy Watson-Wright (The Ocean Frontier Institute)
25Wenxi Zhu (IOC-UNESCO WESTPAC)

2.3.4 ESCAP Ocean Accounts Pilot Participants

1The Technical Guidance benefited from the enthusiasm and technical excellence of the participants in the ESCAP pilot studies.

2China

3Chen Shang, Guo Yue, Huang Qi, Jiang Hongyou, Li Feixue, Li Li, Luo Huilin, Shi Jianbin, Tan Lun, Wang Qian, Xing Wenxiu, Yang Yang, Ye Haiyuan, Yuan Xiutang, Zhang Hongke, Zhang Qiufeng, Zhang Yunlan, Zhao Peng, Zhu Chunquan, Zhu Zuhao, Zuo Ping

4Malaysia

5Aziz S., Azizan Abu Samah, Husni Alhan bin Md Salimun, Illyani Ibrahim, Ismail bin Abdul Rahman, Jillian Ooi, Khazlita Adzim binti Abdol Aziz, Loh Kar Hoe, Mary George, Rizman Idid, Sahadev Sharma, Siti Zakiah binti Muhamad Isa, Sumiani Yusoff, Wafa, Wee Cheah

6Samoa

7Asiata Gerard Anapu, Frances Reupena, Kitiona Pogi, Leota Aliielua Salani, Papalii Benjamin Sila, Robert Ah Sam, Silafau Paul Meredith

8Thailand

9Arthit Kraaomkaew, Kanjana Phumalee, Katesaraporn Wimonrat, Krisada Bamrungwong, Narissara Chanpet, Pinsak Suraswadi, Ukkrit Satapoomin, Yuwanan Santitaweeroek

10Viet Nam

11Dang Thi Phuong Ha, Hoang Viet Anh, Kim Thi Thuy Ngoc, Le Thi Le Quyen, Ngo Nhu Ve, Nguyen The Chinh

2.3.5 Workshop and Dialogue Participants

1Asia and the Pacific Regional Expert Workshop on Ocean Accounts, Bangkok, August 2018

2Zeba Ali (Canada), Atifah Binti Mohd Alwi (Malaysia), Wycliff Bakeo (Vanuatu), Om Bhandari (Thailand), Caridad Canales (ESCAP), Narissara Chanpet (Thailand), Youjin Choe (UNITAR), Ratana Chuenpagdee (Canada), Daniel Clarke (ESCAP), Elisa Maria da Silva (Timor Leste), Faviana Bosco De Sousa (Timor Leste), Sangita Dubey (UN-FAO), Maria Corazon Ebarvia (PEMSEA), Mark Elisha Eigenraam (IDEEA Group), Achmad Fahrudin (Indonesia), Giuseppe “Joe” Filoso (Canada), Eugenia Merayo Garcia (IIED), Mary George (University of Malaya), Gaetano Grilli (Cefas UK), Kavinda Gunasekara (AIT), Rikke Munk Hansen (ESCAP), A.K. Enamul Haque (Bangladesh), Ampai Harakunarak (Thailand), Natalie Harms (ESCAP), Shanaka Herath (University of Wollongong), Jeremy Hills (Climalysis), Asaad Irawan (Indonesia), Md. Rafiqul Islam (Bangladesh), Philip James (The Pacific Community), Soparatana Jarusombat (Thailand), Thitiwat Kaew-Amdee (Thailand), Ahmed Khan (IIED), Sooyeob Kim (ESCAP), Thi Thuy Ngoc Kim (Viet Nam), Praewpan Kongprakhon (Thailand), Alan Frendy Koropitan (IPB Indonesia), Bimlesh Krishna (Fiji), Carolyn Kumul (Papua New Guinea), Anastasia Rita Tisiana Dwi Kuswardani (Indonesia), Feixue Li (Nanjing University), Jian Liang (China), Xinming Liu (China), Yilun Luo (ESCAP), Ilham Atho Mohamed (Maldives), Essam Mohammed (IIED), Jose Luiz Moutinho (AIR Centre), Putri Ari Hendra Murti (ASEAN), Aminath Mushfiqa Ibrahim (Maldives), Sanjesh Naidu (ESCAP), Elizabeth Nguyen (AIT), Vivienne Rhea Padura (De La Salle Lipa), Jingjue Pei (ESCAP), Zhao Peng (China), Xuan Luong Pham (Viet Nam), Kanjana Phumalee (Thailand), Rosimeiry Gomes Portela (Conservation International), Somyod Prajunban (Thailand), Ismail Bin Abdul Rahman (Malaysia), Insang Ryu (Republic of Korea), Yuwanan Santitaweeroek (Thailand), Roger Sayre (USA), Christina Schönleber (APRU), Sri Setyarini (Indonesia), Gerald Singh (University of British Columbia), Sirod Sirisup (Thailand), Vong Sok (ASEAN), Suthasinee Sontirat (Thailand), François Soulard (Canada), Sanjay Srivastava (ESCAP), Andy Steven (Australia), Sarah Taylor (SOLSTICE-WIO), Kelera Lawenitekini Tokalau (Fiji), Christopher Charles Tremewan (APRU), Engr. Md Waji Ullah (Bangladesh), Gemma Van Halderen (ESCAP), Michelle Voyer (Australian National Centre for Ocean Resources and Security), Katinka Weinberger (ESCAP), Janaka J Wijetunge (University of Peradeniya), and Frank Yrle (AIT).

3First Global Dialogue on Ocean Accounting, Sydney, November 2019

4Ethan Addicott (Yale University), Umaira Ahmed (Maldives), Rear Admiral (Retd) Mohammad Khurshed Alam (Bangladesh), Gerard Tuii Anapu (Samoa), Nafha Aujaaz (Maldives), Khazlita Adzim Abdol Aziz (Malaysia), Zak Baillie (Australia), Anthony Bennie (Australia), Crystal Bradley (Australia), Frances Brown (Samoa), Peter Burneth (Australian National University), Mario Cabral (Timor-Leste), Wee Cheah (Malaysia), The Chinh Nguyen (Viet Nam), Charles Colgan (Center for the Blue Economy), Estefânia Luís Simon da Costa (Timor-Leste), Bikash Kishore Das (Bangladesh), Subramanyam Divvaakar (ESCAP), Jose Ferrer (UNSW), Ken Findlay (Cape Peninsula University of Technology), Keldi Forbes (Canada), Mary George (University of Malaya), Yimnang Golbuu (Palau), Acácio Guterres (Timor-Leste), Rikke Munk Hansen (ESCAP), Shanaka Herath (University of Technology Sydney), Michael Huang (Ocean Policy Research Institute), Vivian Ilarina (Philippines), Siti Zakiah binti Muhamad Isa (Malaysia), Musrat Meh Jabin (Bangladesh), Philip James (Independent marine economist), Hongyou Jiang (China), Wenjia Jin (IUCN), David Keith (UNSW), Arthit Kraaomkaew (Thailand), Bimlesh Krishna (Fiji), Fredrick Kuelinad (Papua New Guinea), Thaung Kyaing (Myanmar), Glenn-Marie Lange (World Bank), Chhan Lay (Cambodia), Feixue Li (Nanjing University), Phuong Loan Dang (Viet Nam), MD Abdul Mannan (Bangladesh), Laurence McCook (World Wide Fund for Nature), Alistair McIlgorm (Australian National Centre for Ocean Resources and Security), Reiss McLeod (IDEEA Group), Paul David Meredith (Samoa), Ben Milligan (UNSW), Pakeer Mohideen Amza (Sri Lanka), Niyangama Balasooriyage Monty Ranatunge (Sri Lanka), Shafiya Naeem (Maldives), Sanjesh Naidu (ESCAP), Thi Thuy Ngoc Kim (Viet Nam), Kien Nguyen (Viet Nam), Ngo Nhu Ve (Viet Nam), Eduardo Pereira (Institute of Science and Innovation for Bio-sustainability), Stephanie Perkiss (University of Wollongong), Kanjana Phumalee (Thailand), Kitiona Pogi (Samoa), Prapasri Pongwattana (Thailand), John Lourenze Poquiz (Philippines), Ismail bin Abdul Rahman (Malaysia), Yesheng CUI Raymond (UNSW), Russel Reichelt (Australia), Rear Admiral Ruwan Perera (Sri Lanka), Leota Aliielua Salani (Samoa), Husni Alhan Md Salimun (Malaysia), Robert Ah Sam (Samoa), Azizan Bin Abu Samah (Malaysia), Yuwanan Santitaweeroek (Thailand), Ukkrit Satapoomin (Thailand), Nelson Shem (Vanuatu), Jianbin Shi (The Paulson Institute), Papali’i Benjamin Sila (Samoa), Rodolfo Soares (Timor-Leste), François Soulard (Canada), Andy Steven (Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation), Pinsak Suraswadi (Thailand), Sarah Taylor (National Oceanography Centre), Tony Harrison Tevi (Vanuatu), Van Thanh Nguyen (Viet Nam), Gemma Van Halderen (ESCAP), Michael Vardon (Australian National University), Katesaraporn Wimonrat (Thailand), Peng Zhao (China), Peng Zheng (Dalian Ocean University), and Ping Zuo (Nanjing University).

2.3.6 Second Edition Authors and Reviewers

1[To be completed upon finalisation of all circulars.]

2.4 Funding and Support

1The GOAP Secretariat is hosted by the University of New South Wales (UNSW), which provides institutional support for the coordination of partnership activities and the development of this Technical Guidance. The ESCAP pilot studies in China, Malaysia, Samoa, Thailand, and Viet Nam were funded by ESCAP.

2[Additional funding acknowledgements to be confirmed.]

3. Circular Publication Information

Role	Contributors
Author	[To be confirmed]
Reviewers	[To be confirmed]