Thursday, September 24th, 2009

“Corporate Ocean Responsibility” leaders to meet in Belfast (15-17 June, 2010)

The “Sustainable Ocean Summit” – the first international, cross-sectoral ocean sustainability conference for the private sector – will catalyze the growing interest among ocean businesses for more effective leadership and collaboration in addressing ocean environmental challenges.

The World Ocean Council (WOC), an international business leadership alliance on ocean sustainability and stewardship, is generating significant attention from a range of industries worldwide, including shipping, oil and gas, fisheries, aquaculture, ports, mining, insurance, finance, renewable offshore energy, tourism, shipbuilding, dredging, marine technology and others.

“Companies and industry associations around the world are expressing strong interest in coordinated international private sector leadership on ocean environmental and governance issues”, noted WOC Executive Director Paul Holthus, adding that many companies see the business benefits and sustainable development value in collaborative efforts on Corporate Ocean Responsibility.

With the theme of “Reducing Risk, Increasing Sustainability: Solutions through Collaboration”, the Sustainable Ocean Summit (SOS) will bring together the wide range of industries that use marine space and resources. The event is organized in partnership with Golder Associates and will be held in Belfast, UK (15-17 June, 2010).

The conference kicks off with the inaugural “Roundtable of Ocean Industry Association Leaders (ROIAL) at the SOS opening plenary. This unprecedented gathering of international industry associations will consider the major ocean policy developments and sustainability challenges affecting the future of responsible commercial activities in the seas.

“Marine Spatial Planning – What Ocean Industries Need to Know” will be the focus of a special half-day seminar added on 17 June 2009 to highlight this emerging approach to marine governance. The main conference theme sessions will address priorities for cross-sectoral ocean industry action, including: offshore renewable energy interaction with other industries; the Arctic Ocean; climate change and ocean science; biosecurity and invasive species; fisheries and aquaculture interaction with other industries; the role of finance, insurance and legal sectors in sustainability; sustainable ports; sound and ship strike impacts on marine mammals; marine debris; decommissioning ships and structures. Limited opportunities are available for speakers to address the themes above. Interested speakers are encouraged to contact the WOC as soon as possible.

(The Sustainable Ocean Summit was initially planned for June 2009, but was rescheduled to 2010).

See www.oceancouncil.org for information on World Ocean Council and the “Sustainable Ocean Summit”, or contact: paul.holthus@oceancouncil.org +1 (808) 277-9008

Maritime Executive