It aims at strengthening the capabilities of institutions and individuals having responsibilities in the field of coastal and ocean management.
All programmes share similar objective and approaches to training.
The Programme was launched in 1993 and became operational in 1995. 11 CDUs were created in the period 1995-1997. In 1999, five new CDUs were established, associated with GEF International Water Project . A CDU in Germany was added in 2000. This is not an official document.