Ocean Summit 2024: The beginning of a New Era of Ocean Exploration starts in Lisbon.
Leave a Comment / Press Release / By Willian Pires
Lisbon will be the stage for innovation in ocean sustainability, bringing together international experts and political representatives.
The event will bring together leading figures such as Fabien Cousteau (Founder of the Proteus Ocean Group), Rear Admiral Ramalho Marreiros (Director of the Hydrographic Institute), and Paulo Veiga (President of the Carlos Albertino Veiga Foundation and former Minister of the Sea of Cape Verde).
Just as space exploration represented a transformative journey for humanity, the Ocean Summit will mark the beginning of a new era of ocean exploration, a territory that remains largely unknown. More than 80% of the oceans have not yet been mapped or explored , and this event positions itself as the starting point for revealing these submerged secrets, creating a powerful link between marine and space exploration.
Lisbon, with its historical connection to the sea, will thus be the starting point of this new era. By hosting the Ocean Summit 2024 , the Portuguese capital positions itself at the heart of international innovation and collaboration, in a joint effort to protect and explore the oceans sustainably. This event marks the beginning of a journey that will allow humanity to uncover unprecedented details about the vastness and biodiversity of the marine environment, while fostering cooperation between scientists, institutional entities, and representatives of the private sector.
Experts like Fabien Cousteau will be present to share their vision on the crucial role the oceans play in the planet's future. Over the two days, the Ocean Summit will be a forum for debate on global challenges related to the oceans, such as climate change, the preservation of marine biodiversity, the blue economy, sustainable tourism, and the strategic governance of ocean resources.
The official opening is scheduled for 10:00 AM on October 29th , featuring speeches from prominent figures in the field of ocean conservation. The first day also includes panels dedicated to the impact of climate change on biodiversity and the law of the sea, with speakers such as Mark Patterson , Professor of Marine and Environmental Sciences, and Vasco Becker-Weinberg , a specialist in maritime law.
On the second day, the focus will be on the blue economy and sustainable tourism, with presentations from business leaders and experts exploring how investment can drive innovation and sustainability in the oceans. The day will conclude with a discussion on the strategic relationship between Cape Verde and Portugal in the development of Atlantic platforms.
Paulo Veiga , President of the Carlos Albertino Veiga Foundation, highlights the importance of this meeting: “The Ocean Summit is a unique opportunity to bring together brilliant minds and discuss concrete solutions to protect our oceans, which are the heart of our planet. It is through collaboration and innovation that we will be able to face the global challenges that our seas face, ensuring that future generations can benefit from a healthy and sustainable ocean.” Paulo Veiga also emphasizes the importance of holding this event in Lisbon: “Portugal has a centuries-old connection to the sea; with the ocean being one of the great national assets, Lisbon is the ideal stage to host this Summit.”
The Ocean Summit 2024 will be open to the public, with free admission, providing an unmissable opportunity for all those interested to participate directly in discussions about the future of the oceans. With no prior registration required, the event welcomes all those who wish to engage in the debate on innovative solutions and marine sustainability , in a space of international collaboration. This is an opportunity for the public to be present at conversations that will define the course of ocean conservation and the blue economy, alongside experts and global leaders.
About the Carlos Albertino Veiga Foundation:
The Carlos Albertino Veiga Foundation, established in 2000 in Cape Verde, embodies the philosophy of its founder, based on the premise that everyone should contribute to the common good. With a focus on the most disadvantaged communities in the archipelago, the foundation invests in human development, ensuring that no individual is excluded from the process of progress. Aligned with the ideal of fostering sustainable growth for Cape Verde, its actions are intimately linked to the ocean, which represents 99% of the national territory. This connection to the sea defines the foundation's strategic vision, guiding its future initiatives in accordance with the opportunities and challenges that the ocean presents to the country.
About the Proteus Ocean Group :
The Proteus Ocean Group (POG) is a private sector social enterprise developing PROTEUS™, a next-generation modular and sustainable underwater habitat. Conceived as an “International Space Station of the Sea,” PROTEUS™ will be a collaborative platform for scientists, academics, government agencies, and businesses, aiming to advance ocean science. The platform will enable significant breakthroughs in climate solutions, renewable energy, new medicines, and sustainable food sources.
Ocean Summit – A Vision for the World, October 29-30, 2024, Planetarium and Maritime Museum: Praça do Império, 1400-206 Lisbon
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