(NEWS) WMU-Sasakawa Global Ocean Institute Inauguration and WMU Global Ocean Conference 2018

February

2018

WMU-Sasakawa Global Ocean Institute Inauguration and WMU Global Ocean Conference 2018

In 2018, the World Maritime University (WMU) celebrates 35 years of excellence in postgraduate education, research and capacity building. Its parent organization, the International Maritime Organization (IMO) celebrates its 70th anniversary. WMU will mark this milestone year with the inauguration of the WMU-Sasakawa Global Ocean Institute. In addition, looking back at WMU’s legacy and impact in maritime and related ocean affairs over the past 35 years, the University is convening the WMU Global Ocean Conference 2018: Building Transformative Partnerships for Ocean Sustainability, which will take place at the World Maritime University in Malmö, Sweden from 8 to 9 May 2018.

H.E. Mr. Kitack Lim, Secretary-General of the International Maritime Organization, H.E. Isabella Lövin, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for International Development Cooperation and Climate of Sweden and Dr. Yohei Sasakawa, Chairman of The Nippon Foundation will speak at the inauguration of the new Institute.

The Conference will bring together representatives of governments, academic, educational and research institutions, industry and civil society to explore how to build transformative partnerships on ocean sustainability. In addition, it will formally launch the work of the WMU-Sasakawa Global Ocean Institute with the vision to be the independent focal point for the ocean-science-policy-law-industry interface, acting as a convener and convergence point where policy makers, the scientific community, regulators, industry actors and academics, and representatives of civil society meet to discuss how best to manage and use ocean spaces and their resources for the sustainable development of present and future generations. Research outputs of the Institute will enhance capacity of all stakeholders to implement legal requirements and policies relating to the global ocean agenda. A special emphasis will be placed on working closely with the IMO, UN Oceans and other relevant UN organizations.

“Established by the International Maritime Organization, WMU is the preeminent postgraduate academic institution in maritime and related ocean fields. The WMU-Sasakawa Global Ocean Institute is a concrete response to the the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals and in particular Goal 14 that is focused on the Ocean,” said Dr. Cleopatra Doumbia-Henry, President of WMU. “Through the generosity of The Nippon Foundation, the work of the Global Ocean Institute will compliment IMO’s current and future engagement in the broader sphere of ocean governance and support the global efforts in achieving the United Nations 2030 Sustainable Development Agenda.”

For more information about the WMU Global Ocean Conference 2018, visit ocean2018.wmu.se.

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