the program

This session will take stock of the progress made over the last 15 years in favor of a better-recognized and better-preserved Ocean (IPCC Special Report, BBNJ Agreement, Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework, Agreement on harmful fishing subsidies, creation of Marine Protected Areas) and set the course for priority actions to be taken in the coming decade to face emerging challenges (protection of the Southern Ocean, deepsea mining, etc.).

keynote speech

The Hon. Mr Jean-François Ferrari, Designated Minister and Minister for Fisheries and the Blue Economy, The Republic of Seychelles

Panel Discussion

Moderator
Dr Sebastian Troeng, Executive Vice President, Conservation Partnerships, Conservation International, Belgium

Panelists
Ms Minna Epps, Director Global Marine and Polar Programme, International Union for Conservation of Nature, Switzerland / Prof Enric Sala, Explorer in Residence, National Geographic, U.S.A. / Dr David Obura, Chair Intergovernmental Platform on Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services / Dr Mahlet Naomi Mesfin, Deputy Assistant Secretary for Ocean, Fisheries and Polar Affairs, Department of State’s Bureau of Oceans and International Environmental and Scientific Affairs, U.S.A.

Dialogue with participants

Major players from the world of business and finance will share their experience in reconciling economic activities and ocean preservation, and their vision of a blue economy that respects – and regenerates – marine ecosystems and the communities who rely on them.

keynote speeches

Mr Sun Shuxian, Vice Minister of the Ministry of Natural Resources, and Director General of the State Oceanic Administration, People’s Republic of China (Video message)

H.E. Mr António Costa Silva, the Minister of Economy and Maritime Affairs, Republic of Portugal

Ms Charlina Vitcheva, Director-General, Directorate-General for Maritime Affairs and Fisheries, European Commission, Belgium

Panel Discussion

Moderator
Mr Alexis Grosskopf, Chief Executive Officer, Ocean Hub Africa & Edinburgh Ocean Leader, South Africa

Panelists
Dr Bud Darr, Executive Vice President, Maritime Policy and Government Affairs, Mediterranean Shipping Company Group, Switzerland / Ms Anne-Laurence Roucher, Deputy Chief Executive Officer, Head of Private Equity & Natural Capital, Mirova, France / Mr Francesco Prazzo, General Manager, Monaco and Global General Managers Head, SBM offshore / Ms Sylvie Goulard, Co-Chair, International Advisory Panel on Biodiversity Credits and Professor of practice, Bocconi University, Milano, Italy, Former Second Deputy Governor at Banque de France / Mr Olivier Le Nézet, President of the Comité national des pêches maritimes et des élevages marins, France

Dialogue with participants

This session will delve into the conditions for implementing and ensuring the success of the 30×30 roadmap (Target 3 of the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework) in the Mediterranean, and in particular the role of Marine Spatial Planning and economic players.

keynote speech

H.E. Mr Christos Stylianides, Minister of Maritime Affairs & Insular Policy, Hellenic Republic

Panel Discussion

Moderator
Mr Maher Mahjoub, Director, International Union for Conservation of Nature Mediterranean Cooperation Centre, Spain

Panelists
Ms Leila Chikhaoui, Minister of Environment, Tunisia and President of The MedFund / Mr Karmenu Vella, Former European Commissioner for Environment, Maritime Affairs and Fisheries, Advisor, Ministry for Foreign and European Affairs and Trade, Malta / Ms Dona Bertarelli, Philanthropist, Co-Chair, Pew Bertarelli Ocean Legacy, Switzerland / Mr François Houllier, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Ifremer, France / Dr Alessio Satta, Executive Director, WWF Mediterranean & Lead of the Mediterranean Marine Initiative, Italy

Dialogue with participants

“Update on current international discussions on Deep Sea Mining”
Mr Elie Jarmache, Former member of the Legal and Technical Committee of the International Seabed Authority, 2012-2022, France

“Update on the Plastic Treaty”
Ms Jyoti Mathur-Filipp, Executive Secretary, Intergovernmental Negotiating Committee on Plastic Pollution, UNEP, Nairobi, Kenya

“Update on the Agreement on Fisheries Subsidies”
M. Yuvan Beejadhur, Senior Adviser to Director-General Okonjo-Iweala, World Trade Organization

“Update on Our Ocean Conference 2024”
Dr Dionysia-Theodora Avgerinopoulou, Greek Prime Minister’s Special Envoy for the Ocean, Our Ocean Conference 2024 Coordinator

“Update on the 2025 UN Ocean Conference”
H.E. Mr Olivier Poivre d’Arvor, Special Envoy of the President of France for the UN Ocean Conference

Mr Robert Calcagno, Chief Executive Officer, Oceanographic Institute, Prince Albert I of Monaco Foundation, Principality of Monaco

Mr Olivier Wenden, Vice-President and Chief Executive Officer, Prince Albert II of Monaco Foundation, Principality of Monaco