Protect our Oceans: the challenge of Europe’s global leadership

Join Aix-Marseille University’s second European Conference, on Wednesday 16 June 2021 at the European Committee of the Regions to Protect our Oceans. As one of the first contributions to the 2021-2030 United Nations Decade of Ocean Science for Sustainable Development, the European Conference will take place the week following the 2021 World Oceans Day, at a time when global ocean governance is at a critical juncture.

• How can the European Union rely on the latest scientific developments and oceanographic data to help achieve ambitious goals in intergovernmental negotiations?
• How can science help prevent irreversible threat to biodiversity due to contaminant dispersal?
• How can ocean science contribute to better forecast, mitigate and adapt to climate change?
• How can we achieve a sustainable ocean economy while preserving and protecting marine ecosystems?

By bringing together leading scientists, European policy makers, key players in ocean governance and representatives of civil society, the event will nurture discussions at the frontier between science and technology, bridging scientific progress to policy actions and advances in ocean literacy.

Wednesday 16 June 2021, 9.00 – 16.30 (CEST)

European Committee of the Regions

J. Delors Building
rue Belliard 99-1011040 Brussels Belgium

#ProtectOurOceans

2021 European Conference of Aix-Marseille University

The interplay between ocean science, policy and society will be the topic of the 2021 European Conference of Aix-Marseille University, under the high patronage of Member of the European Parliament Maria da Graça Carvalho. Scientific Coordinator: Prof. Richard Sempéré, Director of the Mediterranean Institute of Oceanography (MIO), Marseille (France).

Understanding past, present and future human impacts on the global ocean is vital for the future of humanity. Climate change, the overexploitation of marine ecosystem services and the dispersal of contaminants have already resulted in irreversible changes, threatening marine life and beyond. There is an urgent need to fill outstanding knowledge gaps and to turn the challenges identified by the scientific community into transformative and decisive political action It is Europe’s ambition to take on global leadership in tackling ocean challenges. Sustained and innovative ocean science will set the base for informed policy design and in monitoring the progress of EU initiatives. In the wake of the 2021 World Oceans Day, this conference will be a contribution to the attainment of EU Goals, including the United Nations Sustainable Development Goal 14. 

Protect our Oceans

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Leading scientists from Aix-Marseille University, Europe and beyond, will present their contribution along with stakeholders and EU decision-makers.

• Tackling marine ecosystem disturbance caused by climate-change: During this sequence, scientists will review the impact of climate change on the diversity and functioning of marine species and ecosystems. Panellists will discuss the extent to which our current production and consumption systems are leading towards a sixth mass extinction, if immediate and ambitious actions are not taken.
• The challenge of contaminant dispersal: The second session will debate the role of known and emerging contaminants in threatening marine ecosystems and food safety. Panellists will evaluate the effectiveness of past initiatives to reduce marine pollution, define critical knowledge gaps and discuss urgent policy actions to achieve a clean ocean.

In both parts, invited EU and international leaders, in dialogue with scientists, will discuss recent developments in intergovernmental negotiations carried out in the context of the United Nations and reflect on the role of science and innovation in scaling up ambitious solutions, through notably EU policy and funding programmes. The need for a robust science/policy interface is a topical and crucial challenge that will be stressed throughout the conference.

The detailed programme of the conference will be published at the end of March 2021. Register now to receive the detailed program and all the news related to the conference.

eudebates to Protect our Oceans