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SAVE THE DATE:
The second World Oceans Summit will be held in February 2014 in San Francisco, US.
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The world’s oceans are the setting for increasing economic activity and will continue to be so for years to come. Only in recent years have scientists begun to understand the significant impact of this growing industrialisation on the ecosystems of the seas and, by extension, on the broader biosphere we all inhabit. Now is the time to engage the global business community and change the nature of the debate. The Economist’s World Oceans Summit will examine how the increasing activity in and around the oceans can be managed sustainably and what this means for business and other key stakeholders. Chaired by John Micklethwait, Editor-in-chief of The Economist, the summit will bring together more than 200 global leaders from various sectors and disciplines, including government, business, international organisations, NGOs, think-tanks and academia to participate in a unique, outcome-driven dialogue. |
VIEW PHOTO GALLERY OF EVENT:
| DAY 1 | DAY 2 | DAY 3 | Download a printable programme version. |
| DAY 1 - WELCOME RECEPTION |
| 18.30 | Welcome cocktail reception |
| 18.45 | Welcome remarks Charles Goddard, Editorial Director, Asia Pacific, Economist Intelligence Unit |
| 19.00 | Special Remarks Neill Duffy, America's Cup Event Authority |
| 19.10 | Welcome keynote Sylvia Earle, Explorer-in-residence, National Geographic Society |
| 20.00 | Close |
| DAY 2 - EVENT |
| 08.00 | Registration and refreshments |
| 09.00 | Chairman's remarks John Micklethwait, Editor-in-chief, The Economist |
| 09.15 | Official opening of the event Teo Chee Hean, Deputy Prime Minister, Coordinating Minister for National Security and Minister for Home Affairs, Government of Singapore Moderator: John Micklethwait, Editor-in-chief, The Economist |
| 09.35 | Special Video Message HRH The Prince of Wales, United Kingdom |
| 09.45 | Opening Keynote Ólafur Ragnar Grímsson, President, Iceland Moderator: John Micklethwait, Editor-in-chief, The Economist |
| 10.25 | TROUBLED SEAS: OCEANS AND THE OCEANS ECONOMY |
| 10.30 | IN DISCUSSION: The state of the oceans
Zhou Mingjiang, Professor, Institute of Oceanology of the Chinese Academy of Sciences Stephen Palumbi, Director, Hopkins Marine Station, Stanford University Ove Hoegh-Guldberg, Director, Global Change Institute, University of Queensland Moderator: Geoff Carr, Science Editor, The Economist |
| 11.10 | Coffee and networking break |
| 13.40 | A BROADER OCEANS DIALOGUE Introduction: Charles Goddard, Editorial Director, Asia-Pacific, Economist Intelligence Unit |
| 13.45 | DISCUSSION: Economic growth and oceans conservation—Are they reconcilable?
Opening remarks: Anote Tong, President, Kiribati Peter Seligmann, CEO and Chairman, Consevation International Paul Holthus, Executive Director, World Ocean Council Jason Clay, Senior Vice President Market Transformation, World Wildlife Fund Moderator: Charles Goddard, Editorial Director, Asia-Pacific, Economist Intelligence Unit |
| 14.35 | IN DISCUSSION: Blue business, blue economy
Tim Smith, Chief Executive, North Asia, Maersk Line Moderator: Charles Goddard, Editorial Director, Asia-Pacific, Economist Intelligence Unit |
| 15.30 | Coffee and networking break |
| 16.00 | OCEANS GOVERNANCE IN CRISIS? Introduction: Dominic Zeigler, Asia Editor, The Economist |
| 16.05 | DISCUSSION: Who should rule the waves?
Spyros Polemis, Chairman, International Chamber of Shipping Kristina Gjerde, Director, High Seas Policy Advisor, International Union for the Conversation of Nature Moderator: Dominic Ziegler, Asia Editor, The Economist |
| 16.55 | SPECIAL GOVERANCE FOCUS: The Arctic—beacon of hope? Briefing: Gustaf Lind, Swedish Ambassador for the Arctic, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Sweden Mr Lind puts the case for a new kind of oceans governance, and answers criticism of glacial decision-making
Lisa Speer, Director, International Oceans Program, Natural Resources Defense Council Joshua Reichert, Managing Director, Pew Environment Group Anton Vasiliev, Ambassador at Large, Arctic Co-operation, Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation Robert Blaauw, Senior Adviser, Global Arctic Theme, Shell International Moderator: James Astill, Energyand Environment Editor, The Economist |
| 17.50 | Chairman's closing remarks John Micklethwait, Editor-in-chief, The Economist |
| 18.00 | Close of day two |
| 19.00 | Cocktail reception |
| 19.30 | National Geographic Gala Dinner |
| 19.40 | Introduction John Micklethwait, Editor-in-chief, The Economist |
| 19.45 | Welcome Remarks Enric Sala, Explorer-in-residence, National Geographic Society Alain Delamuraz, Vice President and Head of Marketing, Blancpain |
| 20.00 | Special presentation by David Doubilet |
| DAY 3 - EVENT |
| 08.00 | Registration and refreshments |
| 08.30 | Chairman’s remarks John Micklethwait, Editor-in-chief, The Economist |
| 08.45 | DIALOGUE: Global co-operation and leadership Jane Lubchenco, Under Secretary of Commerce for Oceans and Atmosphere; Administrator, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, United States Wendy Watson-Wright, Assistant Director-General and Executive Secretary, Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission, UNESCO Moderator: John Micklethwait, Editor-in-chief, The Economist |
| 09.25 | BIODIVERSITY: THREATS AND OPPORTUNITIES Introduction: Geoff Carr, Science Editor, The Economist |
| 09.30 | DEBATE: Feeding the world—are oceans the solution?
Daniela Pedroza Paez, Environmental Policy Director, Ministry of Environment and Natural Resources, Mexico Gerald Knecht, Founder and President, North Atlantic and Founder, P.T. Bali Seafood International Andrew Sharpless, Chief Executive Officer, Oceana Stephen Hall, Director-general, WorldFish Center Ussif Rashid Sumaila, Professor and Director, Fisheries Centre and Fisheries Economic Research Unit, University of British Columbia Moderator: Geoff Carr, Science Editor, The Economist |
| 10.15 | Coffee and networking break |
| 10.45 | DISCUSSION: New solutions for fishing Briefing: Steven McCormick, President, The Gordon and Betty Moore Foundation A new meta-study on the state of global fisheries argues that some recent worst-case scenarios may be too pessimistic, even if the state of fisheries remains dire. It also suggests a new framework for solutions.
Rupert Howes, Chief Executive Officer, Marine Stewardship Council Thomas Kraft, Chief Executive Officer, Norpac Kathryn Murdoch, Director of Re|Source, Conference on Natural Resources at Oxford University Moderator: Charles Goddard, Editorial Director, Asia-Pacific, Economist Intelligence Unit |
| 11.35 | DISCUSSION: Making marine protection economically viable
Ramon Jesus Paje, Secretary of Environment and Natural Resources, Philippines Enric Sala, Explorer-in-residence, National Geographic Society Moderator: James Astill, Energy and Environment Editor, The Economist |
| 12.20 | Lunch |
| 13.15 | KEYNOTE AND DISCUSSION Robert Zoellick, President, World Bank The need for a global common purpose around the oceans. Moderator: John Micklethwait, Editor-in-chief, The Economist |
| 14.00 | DISCUSSION: The problem of pollution and marine debris
Doug Woodring, Managing Director, Ocean Recovery Alliance Mike Biddle, President and Founder, MBA Polymers Cecilia Nord, Vice President, Environmental Affairs, Electrolux Small Appliances April Crow, Global Director, Sustainable Packaging, The Coca-Cola Company Moderator: Dominic Ziegler, Asia Editor, The Economist |
| 14.45 | WORKING TOWARDS SOLUTIONS Each of the working groups below will aim to tackle an area where a real difference might be made, and generate ideas for solutions. These are highly interactive sessions, each bringing together the widest group of oceans stakeholders. Thought-provoking case studies of initiatives and innovation, in and out of the oceans, will act as catalysts for discussion, while discussion leaders—experts in their field—will help shape and form the proceedings. The outcomes of each working group will then be relayed at the final plenum. Moderator: Charles Goddard, Editorial Director, Asia-Pacific, Economist Intelligence Unit |
14.50 | Coffee and networking break |
15.20 01 | Corporate responsibility: Taking custodianship of the oceans
Discussion leaders Aron Cramer, President and CEO, BSR (Business for Social Responsibility) Paul Holthus, Executive Director, World Ocean Council Speakers Philippe Lacamp, Head of Sustainable Development, John Swire & Sons Daniel Pingaro, Chief Executive Officer, Sailors for the Sea Chris Luebkeman, Director for Global Foresight and innovation, Arup Moderator: Alex Travelli, Hong Kong Bureau Chief, The Economist |
02 | From REDD to Blue? Blue carbon and financing mechanisms for the oceans
Discussion leaders Speakers |
| 03 | New solutions for fishing Serial over fishing-the over-exploitation of new stocks as we continue to overfish fully exploited stocks-defines the state of global fishing today. Yet recent studies suggest there are proven solutions to overfishing. The conundrum appears to be that the solutions themselves are fragmented and piecemeal, whether by geography or often by their proponents, who naturally advocate their own above others. What seems to be missing is a co-ordinatedm strategic and above all global response to the problem that brings the different approaches under one roof and identifies which solutions work best where. To work, and to stand a chance of rebuilding fisheries along sustainable lines, such an approach would require the broadest engagement of businesses, governments, NGOs, international institutions, acientists and, of course, fishing communities. There in lies the challenge.
Discussion leaders Barry Gold, Program Director, Marine Conservation Initiative, Gordon and Betty Moore Foundation Jack Gibbs, Director, Prince's Charities International Sustainability Unit Speakers Daniel Pauly, Professor, Fisheries Centre, University of British Columbia Charles Clover, Chairman, Blue Marine Foundation Stephanie Madsen, Chief Executive Officer, At Sea Processors Moderator: Charles Goddard, Editorial Director, Asia-Pacific, Economist Intelligence Unit |
| 04 | Climate change and coastal adaptation: Turning risks into opportunities
Discussion leaders Lynne Zeitlin Hale, Global Marine Initiative, The Nature Conservancy Richard Sanders, Senior Catastrophe Analyst, Willis Group Speakers Mark Kenber, Chief Executive Officer, The Climate Group Jayne Plunkett, Managing Director, Head of Casualty Underwriting, Asia, Swiss Reinsurance Moderator: James Astill, Energy and Environment Editor, The Economist |
| 05 | Oceans observations: Seeding a more urgent science agenda
Discussion leader Tony Haymet, Director, Scripps Institution of Oceanography Speakers Jesse Ausubel, Co-Founder, Census of Marine Life Luke Smith, Principal Environmental Scientist, Woodside Steve Blake, Chief Executive Officer, Western Australian Marine Science Institution Moderator: Geoff Carr, Science Editor, The Economist |
| 16.45 | Presentations and discussion from working groups |
| 17.45 | Chair’s closing remarks |

WORLD OCEANS SUMMIT GALA DINNER HOSTED BY NATIONAL GEOGRAPHIC
With special presentation by David Doubilet
Join us at a Gala Dinner hosted by National Geographic, taking place on the February 23rd 2012, the second evening of the World Oceans Summit.
This dinner at Capella Singapore will feature a powerful and inspiring talk by David Doubilet, one of the world's leading underwater photographers as he shares some of stories from the deep, and beautiful imagery from his underwater photography series.
Doubilet estimates he has spent nearly half of his life in the sea since he took his first underwater photograph at the age of 12. He has introduced a generation to the mystery and wonders of the oceans. During his career he has photographed more than 70 stories for National Geographic reporting on coral reefs, historic shipwrecks, ocean predators and exotic marine creatures.
The gala dinner will take place on Thursday 23rd February at 19:30 at the Capella Singapore. Attendance is included for delagates will full access passes, and coporate tables of 9 seats can also be purchased for US$4,000. Contact conferencesasia@economist.com for more information.
Confirmed speakers include:
John Micklethwait, Editor in Chief, The Economist | David Doubilet, underwater photographer |
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19.05 Cocktail reception
19.30 Gala Dinner welcome remarks from John Micklethwait, Editor-in-chief, The Economist
19.45 Presentation from David Doubilet, underwater photographer and photo journalist
20.15 Dinner served
20.45 Questions and audience discussion
21.15 Dessert served
22.00 Closes
| Our top priority is to ensure that the content for the summit and any potential outcomes are relevant and substantive. This requires input from our own editorial team and advice from industry experts. To this end, we have created a global advisory board that includes 11 representatives from a range of key industries and disciplines: |
| Alexandra Cousteau, Founder, Blue Legacy Jesse Ausubel, Co-Founder, Census of Marine Life Dr Sylvia Earle, National Geographic explorer-in-residence and oceanographer Dr Enric Sala, National Geographic explorer-in-residence Andrew Sharpless, Chief Executive Officer, Oceana Hiroshi Terashima, Executive Director, Ocean Policy Research Foundation Doug Woodring, Co-Founder, Ocean Recovery Alliance Malcolm Preston, Global Sustainability and Climate Change Leader, PricewaterhouseCoopers Professor Su Jilan, Honorary Director, Second Institute of Oceanography, State Oceanographic Administration Mark Tercek, President, The Nature Conservancy Dr Ahmed Djoghlaf, Executive Secretary, United Nations Convention on Biological Diversity Paul Holthus, Executive Director, World Ocean Council |
John Micklethwait, Editor-in-chief, The Economist, Chairman, World Oceans Summit
James Astill, Energy and Environment Editor, The Economist
Geoff Carr, Science Editor, The Economist
Charles Goddard, Editorial Director, Asia Pacific, Economist Intelligence Unit
Dominic Ziegler, Asia Editor, The Economist
Robert B. Zoellick, President, World Bank
Olafur Ragnar Grimsson, President, Republic of Iceland
Anote Tong, President, Republic of Kiribati
Teo Chee Hean, Deputy Prime Minister, Government of Singapore
Ramon Jesus P. Paje, Secretary, Department of Environment and Natural Resources, the Philippines
Jane Lubchenco, Under-secretary of Commerce for Oceans and Atmosphere, Administrator, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
Wendy Watson-Wright, Assistant Director-general and Executive Secretary, Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission of UNESCO
Gustaf Lind, Swedish Ambassador for the Arctic, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Sweden
Anton Vasiliev, Ambassador at Large, Arctic Co-operation, Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation
David Miliband, Member of Parliament, Former Foreign Secretary, United Kingdom
Daniela Pedroza Páez, Director of Environmental Policies, Ministry of Environment and Natural Resources, Mexico
Chris Luebkeman, Director for Global Foresight & Innovation, Arup
Neill Duffy, America’s Cup Event Authority, America’s Cup
Stephanie Madsen, Executive Director, At-sea Processors Association
Abyd Karmali, Managing director and Global head of carbon markets, Bank of America Merrill Lynch
Charles Clover, Chairman, Blue Marine Foundation
Aron Cramer, President and Chief Executive Officer, Business for Social Responsibility (BSR)
Peter Boyd, Chief Operating Officer, Carbon War Room
Jesse Ausubel, Co-Founder, Census of Marine Life
Kathryn Murdoch, Director, Re|ources, Conference on Natural Resources at Oxford University
Peter Seligmann, CEO and Chairman, Conservation International
Astrid J. Scholz, Executive Vice President, Ecotrust
Cecilia Nord, Vice President Floor Care Enviromental and Sustainability Affairs, Electrolux Floor Care and Small Appliances AB
Mingjiang Zhou, Professor, Institute of Oceanology, Chinese Academy of Sciences
Pavan Sukhdev, Founder and Chief Executive Officer, GIST Advisory
Steve McCormick, President, Gordon and Betty Moore Foundation
Russell Reichelt, Chairman and Chief Executive, Great Barrier Marine Park Authority
Stephen R. Palumbi, Director, Hopkins Marine Station, Standford University
Spyros Polemis, Chairman, International Chamber of Shipping
Kristina Gjerde, High Seas Policy Advisor, International Union for the Conversation of Nature
Philippe Lacamp, Head of Sustainable Development, John Swire & Sons
Tim Smith, Chief Executive, North Asia, Maersk Line
Lynne Zeitlin Hale, Director, Marine Initiative, The Nature Conservancy Global Marine Initiative
Barry D. Gold, Program Director, Marine Conservation Initiative, Gordon and Betty Moore Foundation
Rupert Howes, Chief Executive, Marine Stewardship Council
Mike Biddle, President and Founder, MBA Polymers, Inc.
Tommy Koh, Ambassador-At-Large and Chairman, Ministry of Foreign Affairs and National University of Singapore
Enric Sala, Explorer-in-Residence, National Geographic Society
Sylvia Earle, Explorer-in-Residence, National Geographic Society
Mary Ruckelshaus, Director, National Capital Project, Stanford University
Lisa Speer, Director, International Oceans Program, Natural Resources Defense Council
Gerald Knecht, President and Founder, North Atlantic, Inc., P.T Bali Seafood International
Thomas Kraft, Chief Executive Officer, Norpac
Doug Woodring, Founder, Ocean Recovery Alliance
Andrew Sharpless, Chief Executive Officer, Oceana
Joshua Reichert, Managing Director, The Pew Enviroment Group
Malcolm Preston, Global Sustainability and Climate Change Leader, PricewaterhouseCoopers
Brett Jenks, President and Chief Executive Officer, Rare
Dan Pingaro, Executive director and CEO, Sailors for the Sea
Eric Barratt, Managing Director, Sanford Limited
Tony Haymet, Director, Scripps Institution of Oceanography
Patricia Gallardo, Director, Corporate Social Responsibility and Sustainability, Shangri-La Hotels and Resorts
Robert Blaauw, Senior Adviser, Global Arctic Theme, Shell International
Jayne Plunkett, Managing Director and Head of Casualty Underwriting, Asia, Swiss Reinsurance Company
Mark Kenber, Chief Executive Officer, The Climate Group
April Crow, Global Director, Sustainable Packaging, The Coca-Cola Company
Imen Meliane, Director, International Marine Policy, The Nature Conservancy
Jack Gibbs, Director, The Prince’s Charities International Sustainability Unit
Stephen Hall, Director-general, The WorldFish Centre
Anisa Kamadoli Costa, President, The Tiffany & Co. Foundation, Vice President, Global Sustainability & Corporate Responsibility, Tiffany & Co.
Steven Lutz, Blue Carbon Project Manager, UNEP/GRID-Arendal
Daniel Pauly, Professor, Fisheries Centre, University of British Columbia
Ussif Rashid Sumaila, Professor and Director, Fisheries Centre and Fisheries Economic Research Unit, University of British Columbia
Ove Hoegh-Guldberg, Director, Global Change Institute, University of Queensland
Steve Blake, Chief Executive Officer, Western Australian Marine Science Institution
Richard Sanders, Executive Director and Senior Catastrophe Risk Analyst, Willis Group
Luke Smith, Principal Environmental Scientist, Woodside Energy
Paul Holthus, Executive Director, World Ocean Council
Jason Clay, Senior Vice President, Market Transformation, World Wildlife Fund
Richard Fitzpatrick, Independent filmmaker and scientist
The World Oceans Summit provides a unique platform for organisations that want to lead the debate around sustainable use of the seas' resources, and take a leadership position at the forefront of progressive oceans conservation. Contact conferencesasia@economist.com to learn more about sponsoring the summit.
Lead Sponsors:
Supporting Sponsors:
Supporting Foundations:
We are grateful to our Supporting Organisations who have committed their support to the World Oceans Summit, and spreading awareness of the initiative amongst their networks.
Hosted in association with:
National Geographic is working in association with Economist Conferences to extend the reach of the World Oceans Summit to a wider audience, and to provide additional materials and content. The Economist maintains full editorial control of the programme and the broader initiative.
Official PR partner:
Supporting organisations:
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| The World Oceans Summit Community page is a forum for individuals and organisations from across the world to share the work they are undertaking in the space of oceans conservation. Submit your contribution today to conferencesasia@economist.com |
AUSMEPA - Partnerships for Cleaner Seas The Future of Fish project - partnership between Ashoka, The David Lucile Packard Foundation and Central: Executive Summary; Future of Fish Presentation; The lay of the land er... sea Presenation Review brief by Tommy Koh, Ambassador-at-Large, Ministry of Foreign Affairs - Mapping out rival claims to the South China Sea Global Alert from Ocean Recovery Alliance - Case statement on Floating Trash Plastic Disclosure Project - Project Brochure International Seafood Sustainability Foundation - Managing Fishing Capacity in International Fisheries McKinsey&Company - Design for Sustainable Fisheries-Modeling Fisheries Economics Reef Check Malaysia Bhd - Reef Check Malaysia Annual Survey Report Review by Tony Haymet, Director, Scripps Institution of Oceanography - Insuring the Oceans |
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Email: conferencesasia@economist.com
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Phone: (852) 2585 3255
Email: laurencejames@economist.com
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Conference venue:
Capella Singapore, 1 The Knolls, Sentosa Island, Singapore 098297
Hotel reservations:
World Oceans Summit participants can enjoy a preferential hotel room rate of SG$450 plus applicable service charges and taxes. Simply click here to download a hotel reservation form and email back to Capella Singapore at reservations.singapore@capellahotels.com . You can also fax back to +65 6337 3455. For enquiries, please call Capella Singapore Reservations at +65 6591 5000 or email reservations.singapore@capellahotels.com
Registration policy:
The World Oceans Summit will convene global leaders with valuable contributions to offer in the debate on the future health of the oceans - including government, business, international organisations, NGOs, think-tanks and academia. To ensure the discussions at the summit are balanced and representative of all key stakeholder groups at the most senior level, The Economist Group reserves the right to review and authorise all registrations before the related payment is processed. Our Client Relations team will revert back to all potential delegates within 2 working days to confirm whether the registration request has been accepted. Once capacity has been reached for a particular stakeholder group, individuals may then be added onto a wait-list.
HOW TO REGISTER
Click here to register
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| RATE | EVENT & GALA DINNER | EVENT ONLY | GALA DINNER ONLY |
|---|---|---|---|
| Standard rate | USD 2,650 | USD 2,500 | USD 500 |
| The Economist subscriber rate | USD 2,150 | USD 2,000 | USD 500 |
| Economist Corporate Network member rate | USD 2,150 | USD 2,000 | USD 500 |
| Academic/NGO/Gov rate | USD 1,490 | USD 1,265 | USD 500 |
| Corporate table (9 seats) | N/A | N/A | USD 4,000 |
Note: World Oceans Summit substitutions will be accepted at no extra charge with prior notice - once the substitution has been approved by The Economist Group. Cancellations require at least 21 days’ prior written notice and an administration fee of 20% will be payable. Cancellations not received at least 21 days prior to the day of the conference, will be liable for payment of the full fee and will not be entitled to any refund.
The Economist Group maintains the right to postpone or reschedule any conferences for events outside of its direct control including and not limited to weather, security/political or health, disease risk and/or any Force Majeure events.



























