The National Ocean Conference is designed to:

• demonstrate the interlinked nature of ocean issues;
• for the first time, bring together all ocean interest groups to identify common ocean goals;
• encourage greater public awareness and environmental support for coastal ocean issues;
• initiate the development of a shared vision of America's Ocean Agenda for the 21st Century; and
• contribute an official message to the world community as it celebrates the International Year of the Ocean.

Products of the Conference will be a summary report of issue forums and plenary discussion of crosscut issues, and the President's remarks.

Highlights of these will be presented to an international audience on U. S. Day (14th June) at the Expo'98 oceans-focused World's Fair in Lisbon.