As one of the most important and influential global events for the ocean community, the United Nations (UN) Ocean Conference is underway this week in Lisbon, Portugal. Representatives from the Ocean Frontier Institute (OFI) are in attendance.
The conference is co-hosted by the Governments of Kenya and Portugal, and seeks "to propel much needed science-based innovative solutions aimed at starting a new chapter of global ocean action."
Our delegation
OFI has sent a delegation for the week:
- Dr. Anya Waite
Chief Executive Officer and Scientific Director
- Eric Siegel
Chief Innovation Officer
- Laura Hynes-Jenkins
Director, Government Relations (Dalhousie University)
"International engagements like the UN Ocean Conference are critical to advancing OFI's strategic mission," says Dr. Anya Waite, chief executive officer and scientific director at OFI.
"We have the opportunity to engage with world leaders, philanthropic partners, environmental non-government organizations (ENGOs), and the ocean science community at large."
Our message and mission
The main message that OFI will convey is that we must come together globally, at the scale of the International Space Station, to boost ocean observation in order to effectively set and measure climate policy.
“Effective ocean carbon monitoring will ultimately require global participation and partnership,” says Waite. "We are seeking significant commitments, both technical and financial, from international governments, philanthropic organizations and environmental non-governmental organizations to ensure a truly global approach to global ocean observation."
Our conference schedule
OFI representatives are scheduled to take part in many key addresses, panel discussions, and meetings.
Highlights include Waite's planned remarks on the following:
- Scaling up action and building effective partnerships for SDG14: the essential roles of higher education and business (Monday, June 26)
- Integrating biology and ecology observations to enable indicators for conservation, restoration, and sustainable development of marine and coastal ecosystems (Tuesday, June 27)
