ISLAND EXPRESS
Oct 23, 2024
The city of Lisbon, in Portugal, will host the first edition of the Ocean Summit on October 29th and 30th, an event that will bring together renowned experts from four continents.
The city of Lisbon, Portugal, will host the first edition of the Ocean Summit on October 29th and 30th, an event that will bring together renowned experts from four continents. The event promises to drive new discoveries about the oceans and create unprecedented opportunities for knowledge sharing and innovation.
According to a statement from the organization, the Ocean Summit 2024 will take place at the Planetarium and Maritime Museum and will be the stage for global discussions on ocean sustainability, bringing together leading international experts and political representatives, such as Paulo Veiga, President of the Carlos Albertino Veiga Foundation and former Minister of the Sea of Cape Verde, Rear Admiral Ramalho Marreiros, director of the Hydrographic Institute, and Fabien Cousteau, grandson of the renowned oceanographer Jacques Cousteau.
Over the course of two days, the Ocean Summit promises to mark the beginning of a new era of marine exploration, placing the Portuguese capital at the heart of innovation and international collaboration. The event aims to drive new discoveries and promote dialogue on topics such as climate change, marine biodiversity preservation, the blue economy, and ocean resource governance.
The president of the Carlos Albertino Veiga Foundation, Paulo Veiga, highlighted the relevance of the conference, stating that “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 highlighted Lisbon's role as host of the event, emphasizing that "Portugal has a centuries-old connection to the sea; with the ocean being one of the great national assets, Lisbon is the ideal setting to host this Summit."
During the first day, the debates will focus on the impact of climate change on biodiversity and the law of the sea. Experts such as Mark Patterson, Professor of Marine and Environmental Sciences, and Vasco Becker-Weinberg, a maritime law specialist, will lead the discussions. The second day will be dedicated to the blue economy and sustainable tourism, with presentations from business leaders and experts exploring how investment can drive innovation and ocean sustainability.
In addition to bringing together policymakers and scientists, the Ocean Summit 2024 has a strong appeal for public participation. The event will be open to the public, with no registration required, offering a unique opportunity for all interested parties to participate and collaborate in shaping the future of the oceans. This openness to the public provides an opportunity to engage directly in global debates on the protection and sustainable exploration of the seas.
The event will also highlight the strategic relationship between Cape Verde and Portugal in the context of ocean preservation and exploration. Atlantic cooperation platforms will be discussed, focusing on the blue economy and opportunities for both countries regarding the sustainable development of the seas. For Cape Verde, where the ocean represents 99% of the national territory, this cooperation offers new perspectives for the growth of its maritime economy.
About the Carlos Albertino Veiga Foundation: founded in 2000, its mission is to promote human and sustainable development in Cape Verde, with a special focus on the most vulnerable communities. With the ocean occupying a central place in its strategy, the foundation invests in the protection of marine resources and the strengthening of local capacities to benefit from the archipelago's immense maritime potential.
Regarding the Proteus Ocean Group (POG), it is developing PROTEUS™, a next-generation modular and sustainable underwater habitat, conceived as the "International Space Station of the Sea". This collaborative platform will enable advances in ocean science, from climate solutions to renewable energies, promoting the sustainable future of the oceans through scientific and technological innovations.
The Ocean Summit 2024 promises to be a transformative event, providing an opportunity for scientists, political leaders, and the general public to join forces in building a more sustainable future for the oceans, while Lisbon reaffirms itself as a focal point for global ocean science.
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