Agenda

• H.E Janaina Tewaney Mencomo – Minister of Foreign Affairs – Republic of Panama
• Mr. Juan Monterrey – Director of Geoversity´s School for Biocultural Leadership
• H.E Milcíades Concepción – Minister of Enviroment – Republic of Panama

SPECIAL ANNOUNCEMENT

H.E. Laurentino Cortizo Cohen – President of the Republic of Panama

Developing approaches on taking effective actions among countries is a foremost requirement in fostering ocean care. We welcome actions, solutions, and new policies among different actors to strengthen partnerships towards achieving our ocean sustainability goals and enhancing our networking capabilities for such purposes.

Panelists:

• H.E. Janaina Tewaney Mencomo – Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Rep. of Panama
• H.E. John F. Kerry – Special Presidential Envoy for Climate – USA
• H.E. Surangel Whipps – President of Palau
• H.E. Sitiveni Rabuka – Prime Minister of Fiji

Science has demonstrated that properly designed and implemented marine protected areas (MPAs) are effective tools for the conservation of marine biodiversity and ocean resources management. Such areas have been recognized for their contribution to climate change resilience and food security. MPAs provide secure habitats for endemic and endangered species and offer protection for entire marine ecosystems and for the communities that depend on them for their sustainability. The success of MPAs requires effective and efficient governance strategies that promote ecological connectivity as well as integrity, among the social and economic activities directly related to these areas.

Inspirational Message: Sylvia Earle – Founder – Mission Blue / Sylvia Earl Alliance

Moderator: Joshua Tewksbury – Director of the Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute

Panelists:

• H.E. Virginijus Sinkevičius – European Commissioner for Environment, Oceans and Fisheries
• H.E. Gustavo Manrique Miranda – Ministry of Environment, Water and Ecological Transition
• Maximiliano Bello – Global Ocean Policy Advisor – Mission Blue
• David Hance – Chief Operating Officer and DIrector of LATAM Operations – Marine Protection Alliance, Inc.
• Cristian Samper – Managing Director and Leader for Nature Solutions – Bezos Earth Fund
• Mohd Kushairi Mohd Rajuddin – Executive Director of the CTI-CFF Regional Secretariat
• Michaela Dommisse – Head of Marine Research and Innovation – The Minderoo Foundation

We are currently facing a critical situation where human activities have caused an imbalance in global climate processes. Marine and coastal ecosystems, such as mangroves and seagrass meadows, have enormous potential as carbon sinks, biodiversity hotspots and buffers against climate risks, therefore we must promote science and ecosystem-based management approaches, supported by regional and global assessments, to develop better practices and conservation strategies, as well as restoration projects globally as they are essential to the well-being of coastal communities around the world.

Moderator: Vladimir Ryabinin – Executive Secretary and Deputy Director General of the Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission of UNESCO

Panelists:

• H.E. Steffi Lemke – Federal Minister for the Environment, Nature Conservation, Nuclear Safety and Consumer Protection – Germany
• H.E. Miguel Ceara Hatton – Ministry of Environment and Natural Resources – Dominican Rep
• Alicia Montalvo – Manager of Climate Action and Positive Biodiversity – CAF
• Aulani Wilhelm – Senior Vice President for Oceans at Conservation International
• Jane Lubchenco – Deputy director for climate and environment at the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy / Professor – Oregon State University
• Melissa Garvey – Global Director, Ocean Protection – The Nature Conservancy
• Jessie Turner – General Secretary – International Alliance to Combat Ocean Acidification

Testimony:

• Laura Dihuignidili Huertas Thompson – Coastal Community