Earth Protect Blog

A new Global Ocean Commission Ocean Industry Forum session at the 2013 summit will be held April 24, and it provides a key opportunity for the ocean business community to engage directly with the commissioners and provide industry input.

Former Costa Rican president José María Figueres and South African minister Trevor Manuel will chair the session.

“As the commission embarks on its journey, it is essential that we gain input and expertise from all sectors involved with the global ocean,” Figueres said in a statement. “I look forward to meeting with you all in Washington and hearing your thoughts on how we can create the conditions for a sustainably healthy and productive global ocean in the 21st century.”

Figueres and Manuel will outline the Global Ocean Commission’s purpose, goals, process and priorities and seek input from participants.

This unique opportunity for the global ocean business community to engage the Global Ocean Commission provides yet another reason for the industry to gather at the SOS to tackle shared ocean sustainability issues and help set the agenda for ensuring continued ocean access by responsible industry operators.

Preceding the main conference, the business community will convene for the agenda-setting “Oceans 2050” workshop on April 22.

This event will identify the drivers, trends and scenarios affecting the future of ocean industries and determine critical pathways for its success and sustainability.

The Global Ocean Commission brings together international leaders in an independent body to analyze the main challenges and threats to the high seas, recommend solutions for addressing them, and in 2014 provide recommendations to the United Nations and other institutions and processes that can implement change.

The theme of SOS 2013 is “Oceans 2050 — The Ocean Business Community and Sustainable Seas.” This event brings together a range of ocean industries, including shipping, oil and gas, fisheries, aquaculture, tourism, renewable energy (wind, wave, tidal), mining, ports, dredging, cables, pipelines, the maritime legal, and financial and insurance communities.

The last summit was held in 2010 in Belfast, Ireland.

- See more at: http://www.tradeonlytoday.com/home/524053-sustainable-ocean-summit-adds-special-session-for-business-community#sthash.zLF8GACc.dpuf