(NEWS) WMU Contributes to Economist Impact 13th Annual World Ocean Summit

March

2026

WMU Contributes to Economist Impact 13th Annual World Ocean Summit

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From 3–5 March, the World Maritime University – Sasakawa Global Ocean Institute (WMU-GOI) participated in the Economist Impact 13th Annual World Ocean Summit and Expo in Montréal, Canada. Held under the theme “Innovate, protect, prosper: securing our ocean future,” the summit focused on advancing practical solutions for ocean sustainability and supporting implementation of international ocean agreements. Discussions also explored how emerging science and increased investment can strengthen global ocean protection.

WMU-GOI participated as an official exhibitor, hosting an Expo booth and contributing to programme discussions on the Biodiversity Beyond National Jurisdiction (BBNJ) Agreement. The Institute highlighted the work of its Future Ocean Programme and BBNJ Clinic Programme. in supporting implementation of the Agreement, alongside its broader research on ocean governance, technology, and the role of non-state actors in ocean protection.

BBNJ Agreement Implementation

Professor Ronán Long, Director of WMU-GOI, spoke in the plenary panel “How to Overcome Bureaucracy and Implement the High Seas Treaty.” The panel emphasized the importance of practical implementation, effective compliance systems, and sustainable financing to support stakeholders. Professor Long highlighted the role of universities and Member States in advancing implementation and noted the BBNJ Clinic Programme’s support for Small Island Developing States (SIDS) and coastal Least Developed Countries (LDCs).

Professor Long also moderated the roundtable “From Ratification to Reality: How Science and Technology Can Deliver the BBNJ Treaty,” hosted by the National Oceanography Centre (NOC). The discussion explored how best available science, innovation, technology transfer, and capacity sharing can support effective protection of biodiversity beyond national jurisdiction. Panelists included WMU Assistant Professor Aspasia Pastra alongside experts from NOC and the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN).

Ocean Data and Observation

Dr Pastra also contributed to discussions on ocean data systems, emerging technologies, and global cooperation in ocean observation. At the Seabed2030 workshop, “How to Build a Collaborative Ocean Data Ecosystem,” she highlighted the role of Pillar 3 of the Future Ocean Programme in strengthening seabed mapping capacity and addressing global skills gaps in bathymetry. Through the General Bathymetric Chart of the Oceans (GEBCO) Sub-Committee on Education and Training (SCET), which she chairs, the initiative aims to expand global expertise while combining human knowledge and artificial intelligence to transform ocean data into actionable information.

Dr Pastra also participated in the panel “Building Regional and Global Infrastructure for Ocean Observation: Who Pays, Who Governs, Who Benefits?” where she highlighted the importance of interoperability, shared data standards, and sustainable funding models to ensure ocean observation technologies effectively support science, policy, and international cooperation.

Expo Booth and Engagement

At the Expo booth, the WMU-GOI team presented the work of the World Maritime University and the Institute while engaging with participants on potential collaboration in research, events, and global ocean literacy initiatives. Visitors were also invited to share their perspectives on the future of the oceans, which will be compiled into a video output for the Future Ocean Programme.

Side Event on Ocean Literacy

On 6 March, WMU-GOI hosted a side event titled “Turning Ocean Inspiration into Action: Educational Ocean Documentary Screening and Workshop,” organized with PVO Expeditions, Ocean Wise, and Université du Québec à Montréal. The event focused on ocean literacy and youth engagement and included a screening of Ocean with David Attenborough, followed by an interactive workshop where participants proposed practical actions to strengthen ocean literacy, empower youth, and foster collaboration.

Additional information and photos from the event will be available on the websites of the Future Ocean Programme and BBNJ Clinic Programme

About the WMU-Sasakawa Global Ocean Institute

The World Maritime University’s WMU-Sasakawa Global Ocean Institute (WMU-GOI) is an independent focal point for the ocean science-policy-law-industry-society interface where policymakers, the scientific community, regulators, industry actors, academics, and representatives of civil society meet to discuss how best to manage and use ocean spaces and their resources in accordance with the United Nations 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. The Institute was inaugurated in May 2018 and made possible through generous support from The Nippon Foundation of Japan, the Governments of Sweden, Canada, and Germany, as well as the City of Malmö.

For more information about the Future Ocean Programme visit:https://futureocean.wmu.se/
For more information about the Ireland WMU-GOI BBNJ Clinic Programme visit:https://bbnjclinic.wmu.se/

For collaborations or queries, contact the WMU-GOI team at goievent@wmu.se.

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