In this final episode of our Ocean Decade mini-series, released on World Oceans Day, we focus on the last of the Barcelona conference’s five plenary sessions, Resources and partnerships for the Ocean Decade. 

In the plenary, Alfredo Giron moderated a panel discussing collaborations in support of the Decade’s goal of promoting ‘the science we need, for the ocean we want’. In recordings from the session, we learn how the World Bank, the French ocean research institute IFREMER, and UNEP, the UN Environment Programme, are working to nurture a sustainable and equitable blue economy. 

The plenary was joined by Barbara Karuth-Zelle, COO of Allianz, the largest insurer in the world, and the largest financial services company in Europe. Barbara joined Alfredo in the studio with Jon Baston-Pitt to tell us how the insurer is supporting small NGOs and startups working on ocean health, including Plastic Fischer, Sea Shepherd, and Enaleia.

We also hear from one of the conference’s organisers, Alison Clausen, of IOC-UNESCO, who described the development of the Barcelona statement, and its key recommendations. Finally, we hear from Vidar Helgeson, Executive Secretary of the IOC-UNESCO, who called on conference attendees—and the international community—to work together to fill the science and knowledge gaps that limit effective policy making; to build, expand and sustain the infrastructure needed for fulfilling these knowledge gaps; and to create a shift in the way that policy and decision makers can co-design scientific research initiatives, so that the knowledge is produced in a timely, relevant way and put to use.

Host

Jon Baston-Pitt, Fugro

Guests

Alfredo Giron, Head of Ocean Action Agenda, World Economic Forum

Barbara Karuth-Zelle, COO, Allianz

Alison Clausen, Deputy Global Coordinator, UN Decade of Ocean Science for Sustainable

Development Programme, IOC-UNESCO

Also featured

François Houllier, Director General, IFREMER

Susan Gardner, Director, Ecosystems Division, UNEP

Sylvia Michele-Diez, Senior Environmental Specialist | PROBLUE Manager, The World Bank

Vidar Helgeson, Executive Secretary, IOC-UNESCO