With the central message of everyone's active participation in effectively addressing international challenges surrounding the sustainability of the planet, such as the protection of marine life, the management of marine resources, etc., Greece hosted, with great success, the 9th "Our Ocean Conference” (OOC-9).
The International Conference was held on April 16 and 17, 2024, in Athens (it was preceded by the "Our Ocean Youth Leadership Summit" on April 15, 2024), at the Stavros Niarchos Foundation Cultural Center (SNFCC), with the participation of representatives of global political leadership, academia, the private sector and civil society. Delegates from more than 120 countries participated in the proceedings of OOC-9, exchanging views and expertise, and making commitments to protect the seas, responsible management of marine resources and sustainable, economic development.
As the host country, Greece placed special emphasis on four horizontal sectors (Sustainable Tourism in Coastal Areas and Islands, Green Shipping, Reduction of Marine Pollution from Plastics and Microplastics and Green Transition in the Mediterranean). As part of the Conference, dozens of parallel events were held, with themes from the six areas of action that each OCC focuses on (Marine Protected Areas, Sustainable Blue Economy, Tackling Climate Change, Maritime Safety, Sustainable Fisheries and Marine Pollution).
In the context of OOC-9, the "LIFE-IP AdaptInGR" Project of the Ministry of Environment and Energy co-organized with the European Investment Bank a side event, entitled: "Sustainable Solutions for Accelerating Adaptation to Climate Change and Strengthening Climate Resilience in Coastal Regions" ("Sustainable Solutions to Accelerate Climate Adaptation and Build Climate Resilience in Coastal Areas"), which took place today, Wednesday, April 17, in the Book Castle room of the SNFCC.
The side event was honored with their presence, participating in a constructive discussion, by the Minister of Environment and Energy, Mr. Thodoros Skylakakis, the Deputy Minister of Climate Change, Environment and Energy of the Republic of Maldives, Mr. Hassan Mohamed, and the Vice President of the European Bank of Investments, Mr. Kyriakos Kakouris. The debate was coordinated by the Deputy Secretary of the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD), Mrs. Fabricia Lapecorella.