World Ocean Summit 2022 moves online

The annual World Ocean Summit & Expo will take place virtually from 1-4 March 2022, due to the continuing global omicron outbreak.

In a brief statement, organiser Economist Impact, which is part of the Economist Group, confirmed the event will no longer go ahead as planned in Lisbon, Portugal, but will move online.

“With the tightening of travel restrictions in many countries following the spread of the virus, the health and safety of our attendees, speakers, sponsors and colleagues remains our primary concern,” the statement says. “Although we are disappointed not to be convening in person this year, we are looking forward to welcoming you to a top-quality event. We continue to work with the Portuguese government and all our sponsors to meet 2030 targets and accelerate sustainability in the ocean economy.”

The annual World Ocean Summit is in its ninth year. Economist Impact says the event aims “to drive an agenda of ocean protection that brings together people from business, government and civil society,” and features high-profile speakers and business leaders from across the industry.

Topics on the table include fishing, shipping, plastics, tourism and energy.

Speakers this year include Amina Mohammed, deputy secretary-general of the UN; Peggy Kalas, director of the High Seas Alliance; Dorothee Herr, manager, ocean and climate change at the International Union for Conservation of Nature; Denis Choumert, chairman of the Global Shippers Alliance; Thoriq Ibrahim, founder and president of Maldives Ocean Plastics Alliance; and Nina Jensen, chief executive of REV Ocean.

Attendees can join the online summit from anywhere in the world for free, once registered on the website.