on 28 Nov 2021
Regionally focused virtual summit hosted by The Economist will convene 100 speakers over five days from December 6-10
The blue economy refers to the use of the sea and its resources for economic development
Global leaders from the maritime industry will gather virtually from December 6-10 for the inaugural World Ocean Summit Asia-Pacific 2021, hosted by The Economist.
Featuring 100 speakers and 2,000 participants, the virtual five-day summit features insightful conversations on topics including shipping, marine renewable energy, plastics, aquaculture and fishing, all with a regional focus.
Speakers include Beno√Æt Bosquet, regional director for sustainable development for East Asia and Pacific at World Bank, who joins a panel discussion called “Can blue be the new green?” on day one, which will dissect the challenges faced by blue finance, and explore lessons that can be learned from the success of the green finance model.
Peter Thomson, the UN’s special envoy for the ocean, makes a keynote speech on day three exploring “The ocean-climate nexus: how did the ocean feature in COP26 discussions?”
On day four, Rupert Maloney, head of hydrogen for Clean Energy Finance Corporation joins “Fuelling Asia’s green hydrogen economy” a panel examining the role of green hydrogen in meeting net-zero emission targets, and asking how green hydrogen will contribute to a greener shipping industry.
On day five, Mario PS Chin, chief scientific officer and founder of Avant Meats, talks about his company’s innovative cultivated-fish technology and asks how such products can make a sustainable contribution to growing consumer demand for protein.
Other plenary sessions centre on pressing concerns for the ocean and cities and seek solutions for climate change mitigation and the dangerous decline of biodiversity in the region.
Credit: The Ocean Agency
Meanwhile, a full track dedicated to finance brings together executives from across the investment community. Speakers will talk about their experiences of how innovative blue-finance mechanisms can direct mainstream finance towards the sustainable blue economy.
“Our aim is to identify how innovation and collaboration within the region are affecting change and seek to reframe the Asia-Pacific’s relationship with the ocean, generating momentum to map the steps to increased economic prosperity and ocean restoration,” organiser Economist Impact says. “On behalf of each attendee this year, we will be supporting the removal of 200,000 ocean-bound plastic bags in Goa, India, thanks to our sustainability partner: rePurpose Global.”
Click here to find out more about the event and register for free.
Event name: World Ocean Summit Asia-Pacific
Dates: 6-10 December 2021
Registration link