Amman, Jordan - May 21, 2024 -
Economist Impact’s Regional Ocean Summit, held under the Royal Patronage of His
Majesty King Abdullah II ibn Al Hussein, and sponsored by the Jordan Tourism
Board in collaboration with the Aqaba Marine Park (AMP) initiative, took place
from 14-16th May at the Dead Sea in Jordan. The summit, a new event in the
World Ocean Summit series, was opened by The Economist’s editor-in-chief, Zanny
Minton Beddoes. It highlighted key opportunities for international and regional
ocean leaders, and investors in the Middle East, Red Sea and Mediterranean
seeking to find the right balance between protecting the ocean, developing
water solutions and fostering economic growth.
The summit was attended by His
Majesty King Abdullah II ibn Al-Hussein and HRH Crown Prince Al-Hussein bin
Abdullah II, two ocean champions who are keen to ensure Jordan transitions to a
sustainable ocean economy. His Majesty’s love for corals and ocean conservation
beyond Jordan, was a key focus of discussion, including the development of the
planned Aqaba Marine Park. Jordan’s corals are of keen interest to global
experts because of their unique characteristics and resilience to the impacts
of climate change. Jordan has already protected 26% of its limited coastline
and is keen to develop a new world-class marine science and technology hub that
will invite leading international experts to collaborate together. They will focus on protecting the
region from further climate degradation, encourage innovation and
promote awareness about the important role the ocean plays for our livelihoods
and mitigate climate change.in the Middle East through their planned public
Aquarium. Jordan is the second most water-scarce country in the world and a key
session focused on strategies and solutions to overcome the associated
challenges. Ove Hoegh Gulde, professor of marine studies, international panel
on climate change, University of Queensland, one of the many renowned experts
and ministers attending the
summit commented, "It is a really important conference coming at an especially
important time. A time when we are seeing dramatic changes occurring in
ecosystems like coral reefs which are of great concern given the new territory
that they have put us in. This was a great chance to meet with people in the
region and to swap ideas on this important topic” Other key speakers included
Ray Dalio, founder, chief investment officer and board member, Bridgewater
Associates and founder, OceanX, Peter Thomson, UN Secretary-General’s
special envoy for the ocean, HSH Prince Albert II, Sovereign Prince of Monaco,
and Bisher Al-Khasawneh, Prime Minister and Minister of Defense of the
Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan.
Just over 200 influential leaders, policymakers, industry pioneers,
investors, NGOs, and scientists from across the globe participated in the
event.
Reflecting on the summit's significance, Daniel Franklin, executive
editor and senior editor, United States, The Economist reflected 'The Regional
Ocean Summit was a convergence of minds from across the globe, united by a singular purpose: to
restore ocean health. The insightful and fruitful discussions will propel us
toward a better future for our ocean and it was a unique opportunity to
spotlight the region’s approach to ocean sustainability and growth. The
attendance of His Majesty King Abdullah II was especially significant,
showcasing his leadership and commitment to restore ocean health and leaving a
lasting impression on all attendees.’
The Regional Ocean Summit gave Economist Impact a unique opportunity to
shine a light on the distinct opportunities in the region and aligned with its
mission to foster discussions and support the development of solutions to help
the transition to a sustainable ocean economy.
For media inquiries or further
information, please contact:
Anishka Abraham
Head of marketing, Custom events, Economist Impact
anishkaabraham@economist.com
About Economist Impact:
Economist Impact delivers
thought leadership and analysis on critical global issues, informing
decision-makers across sectors. With a commitment to fostering positive change,
Economist Impact convenes impactful events, produces insightful research, and facilitates
meaningful dialogue on pressing global challenges.
World Ocean Initiative:
Economist Impact’s
World Ocean Initiative is a mission driven project that supports the
development of a sustainable ocean economy by addressing the greatest
challenges facing our seas: climate change, biodiversity loss and pollution.
Year-round and at our flagship World Ocean Summit, we inspire bold thinking,
enable new partnerships and explore the most effective action for a healthy
blue planet.
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