31 May, 2017 - World Ocean Council (WOC) Works to Ensure Industry Involvement, Input, and Commitments at the first United Nations Ocean Conference

The WOC is working with the President of the U.N. General Assembly, the International Chamber of Commerce (ICC) and the U.N. Global Compact (UNGC) to ensure private sector participation in the U.N. Ocean Conference (UN HQ, New York, 5-9 June).

The WOC CEO has been invited to speak during the conference Partnership Dialogues in the main program for the Ocean Conference.

The WOC has been leading the development of key ocean business community events and activities at the U.N. Ocean Conference:

•  Side event: “The Ocean Business Community: Partnering for Implementation of SDG 14” (7 June, 9:00 – 10:30 AM, Room A). Organized by: International Chamber of Commerce, WOC, U.N. Global Compact. This is the main side event on the role of the private sector in implementing SDG 14.

•  Side event: “Financing Ocean Sustainable Development: The Investment Community and SDG 14” (8 June, 9:00 – 10:30 AM, Room B). Organized by: WOC. This is the lead side event on the role of investment in advancing ocean sustainable development.

On Monday 5 June 2017 1:30 pm-1:50 pm, WOC CEO, Paul Holthus, will join Lise Kingo (Executive Director, U.N. Global Compact) and Sturla Henriksen (CEO, Norwegian Shipowners’ Association) in the  SDG Media Zone live interview on “Public-private partnerships on ocean issues”.

The  reception “Celebrating Business Leadership in Ocean Conservation and Sustainable Development” is an invitation-only evening event on 7 June co-organized by the WOC, the International Conservation Caucus Foundation/Ocean Caucus, the U.N. Development Programme (UNDP), the U.N. Environment Programme (UNEP), Vulcan, Kelley Drye and other corporate partners.

The WOC COO and CEO are also invited to be part of numerous other side events, including:

Speaker at  “The Global Partnership for Sustainable Transport (GPST): Maritime Transport and the future of the Sustainable Oceans Economy” (5 June, 3:00 – 4:30 PM, Room A) Organized by: The Global Partnership for Sustainable Transport (GPST)

Moderator at  “Swedish Initiative for Agenda 2030” (6 June, 11:00 AM – 12:30 PM, Room 12). 
Organized by: Zero Vision Tool; Confederation of Swedish Enterprise; Swedish Steel Producers’ Association; Swedish Forest Industries.

Speaker at  “The Coral Triangle - Partnerships to achieve SDG14 (and more!!!) in the World's Epicentre of Marine Biodiversity” (6 June, 11:00 AM – 12:30 PM, Room B). Organized by: Government of Solomon Islands, Coral Triangle Initiative on Coral Reefs, Fisheries & Food Security, Coral Triangle Center, Conservation International, The Nature Conservancy, German Development Agency (GIZ), Asian Development Bank, Government of Australia, USAID, Global Environment Facility, Partnerships in Environmental Management for the Seas of East Asia.

Speaker at  “Joining hands to help achieve SDGs 6 and 14 – a Win-Win for Freshwater and Oceans” (7 June, 9:00 – 10:30 AM, Room 6). Organized by: UN-Water, WOC.

Speaker at the High Level Exchange,  “Pacific Leadership through Innovative Approaches to the Oceans Economy – Pacific 2050” (8 June, 6:00 – 7:30 PM, off-site).

The WOC has registered several Voluntary Commitments via the U.N. Ocean Conference: 
• Developing SDG Targets and Indicators with and for the Ocean Business Community 
• Global Industry Programs to Address Transboundary, Multi-Sectoral Ocean Pollution, including Plastics/Shipborne Wastes, Biofouling/Invasive Species, Marine Sound 
• Smart Ocean-Smart Industries: Engaging Industry in Improving Ocean, Weather and Climate Knowledge in Support of Sustainable Development and Disaster Reduction

See the full text of the WOC commitments here.

The U.N. Ocean Conference theme is “Our Oceans, Our Future: Partnering for the Implementation of Sustainable Development Goal 14”. SDG 14 addresses the need to conserve and sustainably use the oceans, seas and marine resources.

The Ocean Conference outputs will be an inter-governmentally agreed "Call for Action" to support the implementation of Goal 14, a report of the partnership dialogues, and a list of voluntary commitments for the implementation of Goal 14.

SAVE THE DATE

Sustainable Ocean Summit (SOS) 2017: 29 Nov-01 Dec, Halifax, Canada

“The Ocean Sustainable Development Goal (SDG 14): Business Leadership and Business Opportunities”

Mark your calendars for this unique gathering of the global ocean business community.

Upcoming WOC Outreach and Engagement

30-31 May, BRUSSELS 
Belmont Forum Oceans Scoping Workshop (Invited Participant)

30-31 May, OSLO 
Nor-Shipping (Invited Speaker)

5-9 June, NEW YORK 
U.N. Ocean Conference (Invited Speaker, Side Event Organizer and Co-Organizer)

About the World Ocean Council (WOC)

The WOC is the only international, cross-sectoral alliance for private sector leadership and collaboration in sustainability, stewardship and science. Companies from a range of industries worldwide are distinguishing themselves as leaders in “Corporate Ocean Responsibility”, including: shipping, oil and gas, tourism, fisheries, aquaculture, mining, renewable energy, ocean technology, investment. 
WOC Members are listed here, a part of the WOC Network of 34,000+ ocean industry stakeholders around the world. The WOC is a registered not-for-profit organization in the US and the UK/Europe.

CONTACT-   Email Contact  Web:  www.oceancouncil.org