The World Ocean Summit & Expo is an annual global event designed to inspire bold thinking and new partnerships, and to trigger effective action to develop a sustainable ocean economy. It aims to change the way business is done in the ocean bringing together the widest cross-section of the ocean community from business and finance to governments, national and international policy-makers, civil society and academia. Economist Impact will celebrate the 10th anniversary with the return to a physical event in Lisbon, Portugal, a city (and country) at the forefront of sustainable ocean thinking and practice.

Visitors can look forward to over 50 sessions and more than 120 speakers that will address the greatest challenges facing the ocean: climate change, biodiversity loss, and pollution. High-level policy discussions will continue to be at the heart of plenary sessions. The focus will be on marine industries including shipping, fishing, aquaculture, energy and tourism and this year the agenda will feature cross-industry sessions to leverage synergies and encourage cross-sector engagement.⁠ ⁠

Some of the confirmed speakers include Peter Hammarstedt, director of campaigns at Sea Shepherd, Mwanarusi Mwafrica from the Vanga Blue Forest Project, Edvard Molitor, head of international public affairs and sustainability of Port of Gothenburg, the cabinet secretary for rural economy and tourism in Scotland, Mairi Gougeon, and many more.

Topics covered throughout the summit that focuses on climate change, biodiversity loss and pollution include governance to minimise anthropogenic impacts on the ocean, blue finance options, the sustainable development of coastal cities, decarbonisation of the shipping industry, blue food options to feed the world sustainably, the minimisation of plastic and chemical pollution, blue carbon, the seaweed industry, coral reef restoration, Marine Protected Areas, tourism, as well as renewable energy.

High-level policy discussions will continue to be at the heart of plenary sessions and this year, the agenda will feature cross-industry sessions to leverage synergies and encourage cross-sector engagement.

Find out more about the event and register to attend here.