Greece will host the 9th International Conference « Our Ocean Greece 2024 » (OOC-9) in Athens, at the Stavros Niarchos Foundation Cultural Center, on April 16-17, 2024, expressing its commitment to addressing global challenges in ocean protection. The « Our Ocean Youth Leadership » summit will run concurrently with the main conference, starting the day before on April 15.
The OOC-9 Conference marks the tenth anniversary of the inaugural edition in 2014, initiated by the then U.S. Secretary of State, John Kerry. After successful events in countries such as Chile, the United States, Malta, Indonesia, Norway, Palau, and Panama, Athens takes on the role of the host.
The conference’s goal is to bring together governments, the private sector, non-governmental organizations, and the academic and scientific community to collaborate on ocean protection. Emphasis is placed on promoting concrete commitments in areas such as climate change, sustainable fishing, the blue economy, marine protected areas, maritime security, and pollution.
Greece, a country with thousands of kilometers of coastline and hundreds of islands, as well as a nation with a long maritime tradition, not only recognizes the need for swift action but has already taken bold and tangible steps in this direction. These include setting specific conservation goals for marine protected areas and the ambitious decarbonization project for small islands (GR-Eco islands).
The health of the oceans contributes to the overall health of our planet.
Oceans are the foundations of life on Earth and the « heartbeat » of our planet. They serve as habitats for rich marine biodiversity but are among the most fragile ecosystems. Oceans are essential for food security and sustainable development. They also play a central role in climate regulation, acting as carbon sinks and the lungs of our planet, producing most of the oxygen we breathe. Preserving the ecological balance of marine ecosystems and ensuring they remain in good working order is essential. Therefore, it is evident that the health of the oceans contributes to the overall health of our planet. At the same time, a stable climate preserves the health of marine ecosystems. It is noteworthy that United Nations climate change conferences increasingly recognize the link between oceans and climate.
In addition to their ecological importance, oceans form the basis of the global economy. Industries ranging from tourism to fishing and maritime transport heavily depend on the ecological balance and vitality of marine ecosystems. Emerging industries, such as the development of new forms of renewable energy sources at sea, advancements in marine biotechnology, and the circular marine industry, clearly indicate that the common future of our economy is a sustainable and inclusive blue economy.
