One of the most challenging issues facing the ocean today is rapid coastal urbanization whose implications have yet to be assessed. Today, the majority of the world’s population lives within sixty kilometers of the coast line and this is steadily increasing. This profound demographic shift has significant implications for the coastal environment, inhabitants and ecosystem stability.

These trends provide challenges to the intrinsic values coastal environments offer as well as the values held by the communities located in these areas. Coastal ecosystems are among the most productive on earth. It has been estimated, for example, that over 90% of the planet's living and nonliving resources are found within a few hundred kilometers of the coast. These valuable natural assets are seriously threatened by coastal development pressures, coastal sprawl and coastal pollution. Preserving the natural values we associate with coastal regions will be a significant challenge on a planet whose population is projected to reach 8 billion or more people.

Compounding these challenges are the prospects of the vulnerabilities these regions face. Among these are climate change, sea level rise, new maritime security needs associated with increase transportation by sea, and the ever present danger of extreme events such as tropical storms and tsunamis. Accordingly, it is timely to address these topics in depth as we bring together public officials, nongovernmental organization, citizens and natural and social scientists to consider the values and vulnerabilities of coastal regions around the globe. The Coastal Cities Summit will occur in St. Petersburg, Florida, USA in November 17-20, 2008, and will be organized by the International Ocean Institute - USA.