Professor Mitsutaku Makino is the President of the Ocean Policy Research Institute (OPRI) at the Sasakawa Peace Foundation, Japan. He holds a Ph.D., M.A., and B.A. from Kyoto University and an M.Phil. from the University of Cambridge. Previously, he served as Postdoctoral Researcher at Yokohama National University and later as Senior Researcher and Group Head at Japan’s National Research Institute of Fisheries Science, contributing to ecosystem-based fisheries management. Currently a Professor at the University of Tokyo’s Atmosphere and Ocean Research Institute, he leads global initiatives on sustainable ocean governance and serves in key roles with PICES, IUCN, and leading marine science journals.

Dr. Emadul Islam is a Senior Research Fellow at the Ocean Policy Research Institute (OPRI) of the Sasakawa Peace Foundation, Japan. He previously served as an Adjunct Scholar at the National Bureau of Asian Research (NBR), USA, and has worked with Transparency International Bangladesh, BRAC, and the Centre for Bay of Bengal Studies at Independent University, Bangladesh. Dr. Islam earned his Ph.D. in Community Development from the University of Malaya under the Yayasan Khazanah Scholarship and was a 2022–2023 Fulbright Visiting Scholar at Northeastern University, USA. His research appears in IJDRR, EJDR, Encyclopedia, and Social Movement Studies.

Professor V.N. Attri is the former Chair in Indian Ocean Studies (CIOS) at the Indian Ocean Rim Association (IORA), Republic of Mauritius (2014–2020). Renowned as the “Architect of the Blue Economy in the Indian Ocean Region,” he has been pivotal in advancing sustainable ocean development and regional cooperation. A distinguished scholar in International Trade and Finance, his expertise spans Economic Theory, Sustainable Development, and Environmental Economics. He conducted post-doctoral research at UCLA and The George Washington University. Professor Attri founded and edited the Journal of Indian Ocean Rim Studies and co-edited the Handbook of Blue Economy in the Indian Ocean Region (2018).

With over 52 years of extensive experience in the ocean related fields, I have excelled in leadership roles such as former Maritime Affairs Secretary at esteemed organizations including the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, International Seabed Authority, Jamaica and Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission, France and Focal point of the Indian Ocean Rim Association, Mauritius. As a former two-star Admiral of the Bangladesh Navy, I leveraged 38 years of naval expertise to educate future maritime professionals as a Senior Visiting Lecturer at naval establishments both home and abroad. My areas of expertise include International Law of the Sea International humanitarian laws and laws of armed conflict at sea, Blue Economy, maritime governance and strategy, piracy, marine pollution, ocean science & national accounts, and maritime delimitation.

 Dr. Asela K. Kulatunga is a Lecturer in Industrial Systems (E&R) at the Department of Engineering, Faculty of Environment, Science, and Economics, University of Exeter, UK, where he also serves as Director of the MSc Programme in International Supply Chain Management. With two decades of global academic and research experience, he holds a Ph.D. in Industrial Engineering from the University of Technology Sydney and a B.Sc. in Production Engineering from the University of Peradeniya. His research focuses on sustainability in industrial and supply chain systems, using modelling, simulation, and data analytics to address complex, transdisciplinary challenges through systems thinking and innovation.

Hussain Sinan is the Director General of Fisheries Management at the Ministry of Fisheries and Ocean Resources, Maldives. With over 15 years of experience, he specializes in fisheries management, value-chain analysis, and socio-economic impacts. He has held key international leadership roles, including Chair of the IOTC Standing Committee on Administration and Finance, Co-Chair of the IOTC Coastal States Group (G16), and Chair of the SWIOFC. In 2021, he led the CCSBT performance review panel. A former Nippon Foundation–Ocean Nexus Postdoctoral Fellow at Dalhousie University, Sinan is currently editing a book on strengthening Regional Fisheries Management Organizations.

Dr. Vijay Sakhuja is Professor and Head of the Center of Excellence for Geopolitics and International Studies (CEGIS) at REVA University. A former Indian Navy officer, he previously served as Director of the National Maritime Foundation, New Delhi, and has held research and academic positions at ISEAS–Singapore, CICP–Cambodia, CAPS, ORF, IDSA, and USI. Dr. Sakhuja holds M.Phil. and Ph.D. degrees from Jawaharlal Nehru University, New Delhi. He has authored and edited over 50 books and monographs on geopolitics, maritime strategy, technology, climate change, and the Blue Economy, including Asian Maritime Power in the 21st Century and Nagapattinam to Suvarnadwipa.

Nilanthi Samaranayake is an Adjunct Fellow at the East-West Center in Washington and a former Visiting Expert at the U.S. Institute of Peace. Her research focuses on U.S. strategy in the Indian Ocean, the Indian Navy, small South Asian states, and non-traditional security. Previously, she directed the Strategy and Policy Analysis Program at the Center for Naval Analyses (CNA), leading multidisciplinary research for civilian and military leaders. Before CNA, she spent a decade analyzing public opinion at Pew Research Center and was a fellow at the National Bureau of Asian Research. She holds an MSc from LSE and a BA from American University.

Hideyuki Shiozawa is the Director of the Division of Island Nations at the Ocean Policy Research Institute (OPRI), Sasakawa Peace Foundation (SPF), Japan. He previously served with Japan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, including as First Secretary at the Embassy of Japan in Fiji and Economic Adviser in the Marshall Islands. Before rejoining SPF in 2015, he was an Associate Program Officer at SPF and a JICA Volunteer Teacher in the Marshall Islands. Appointed Director in July 2024, Mr. Shiozawa has led over 70 ODA projects and 30 SPF initiatives across the Pacific, advancing human resource development and regional cooperation.

Dr. Matt Frost is a senior leader with over 20 years’ experience in the charity and research sector and heads up the International work at PML. Matt works extensively on international matters specialising in networking and science diplomacy and sits on a number of international and national committees. Examples include: the UK National Decade Committee and the Marine Climate Change Impacts Partnership (the UKs primary marine climate advice body), as well as the MCCIP Overseas Working Group. Matt led work with the UK Overseas Territory governments to produce the first-ever climate assessment across all the UK Overseas Territories. Matt also chairs and also led on the establishment of the World Association of Marine Stations (WAMS), working with global partners to bring together marine station directors (with UN IOC-Unesco) in support of the Sustainable Development Goals. Matt has worked on many marine issues including climate change and biodiversity with a wide range of stakeholders across different countries and cultures including international bodies such as the United Nations, embassies, global secretariats (e.g. the Commonwealth), G7, investors and Global NGOs.

Matt has previously worked for the civil service, as a lecturer at the University of Plymouth and for 20 years was Deputy Director of the Marine Biological Association and Head of Policy and Engagement. Matt originally graduated with a 1st class degree in marine biology before completing a PhD programme looking at large-scale patterns in sandy beach macrofauna.

Ambassador Carlos Márcio Bicalho Cozendey was born in Rio de Janeiro in 1963.

He joined the Diplomatic Career Preparatory Course (CPCD) at the Rio Branco Institute in 1985 and received his bachelor´s degree in Diplomacy from the same Institute (1985-1986). He also earned a bachelor’s degree in Economics from the Federal University of Rio de Janeiro (1980-1984) and a master’s degree in International Relations from the University of Brasília (1990-1992).

He held the positions of Assistant and Advisor to the Trade Policy Division 1987-1992), Head of the Mercosur Division (1999-2003), Director of the Economic Department (2007-2010), Director of the Financial and Services Affairs Department (2015) and Undersecretary general for Economic and Financial Affairs (2015-2018).  He also served as Special Advisor to the Foreign Commerce Chamber (CAMEX) Executive Secretariat (1998-1999) and as Secretary of International Affairs (2011-2014) at the Ministry of Finance.

On his first assignment abroad, he served at the Permanent Mission of Brazil to International Organizations in Geneva (1992-1995), and then at  the Delegation of Brazil to the Latin American Integration Association (LAIA), in Montevideo (1995-1998). He was also Counselor at the Mission of Brazil to the European Communities, in Brussels (2003-2006). As an Ambassador, he was Delegate of Brazil to the International Economic Organizations in Paris (2018-2022).

He has been appointed Secretary of Multilateral Political Affairs since 27th February 2023.

Ulrik Lenaerts is co-facilitator Ocean and Climate in UNFCCC for 2025 and 2026. As deputy head of delegation for Belgium he has been involved for almost two decades in the climate negotiations. Over the past years he negotiated for the EU the modalities for the global stocktake as agreed in Katowice, the ocean and climate nexus and arrangements for intergovernmental meetings. His focus has always been on making the UNFCCC process more fit for purpose to facilitate enhanced ambition and strengthened implementation. This translates in his efforts for more involvement of the stakeholders and for strengthening synergies with other international organisations, particularly on the ocean and biodiversity.

Marine biologist and coastal management expert who coordinates the Integrated Coastal Management Laboratory as an associate professor at the Federal University of Santa Catarina. She represents Brazil and co-chairs the IOC/UNESCO Working Group on Ocean Planning and Sustainable Management, while also co-leading the Cono Sur Regional Training Center of the Ocean Teachers Global Academy. With extensive experience providing technical advisory and capacity building across four continents, she specializes in coastal and marine management throughout the Americas, Africa, Asia, and Europe. She holds a doctorate in Marine Sciences.

Luz Gil is an Ocean and Climate Advisor at The Nature Conservancy. Through strategic partnerships and public policy initiatives, Luz drives efforts to promote the conservation of coastal and marine ecosystems as Nature-based Solutions to climate change. Since November 2024, Luz serves as a Co-Focal Point of the Marrakech Partnership for Global Climate Action (MPGCA) Oceans and Coastal Zones Group, supporting the mobilization of Non-State Actors and the representation of the climate-ocean nexus at UNFCCC. Luz holds a Master’s in Public Administration in Energy and Environment from Columbia University and a Bachelor’s in International Relations from ITESM

Anna-Marie is the Senior Director of Climate Policy at Ocean Conservancy. She was previously at Rare, an international conservation and development non-profit, as the Director of Policy and Strategic Partnerships. At Rare she managed a global network of policy staff, advanced fisheries policy in multiple countries, and advised executive leadership on ocean and climate policy. Prior to Rare, Anna-Marie was the Ocean and Coastal Policy Advisor for U.S. Senator Sheldon Whitehouse, where she worked closely with many stakeholders to advance U.S. domestic ocean policy priorities. She was a Knauss Sea Grant Fellow in 2010, has a Coastal Environmental Management degree from Duke University and received a BSc in Marine Science from University of South Carolina.

Prof. John Siddorn is the Chief Executive of the National Oceanography Centre (NOC), where he leads the organisation’s mission to gain a deeper knowledge of the ocean to address major challenges facing society and the natural world.  

John is Head of the UK Delegation to the International Oceanographic Commission of UNESCO and has led the formation of Marine Science UK, the umbrella organisation, which he Chairs.  He has national and international representative roles and responsibilities including serving on the Governing Board for the National Partnership for Ocean Prediction, the UN Decade Digital Twins of the Ocean (DITTO) Advisory Board and the Ad Hoc Committee supporting the development of OceanObs ’29.

Will Steen is the Marine Science Officer for Ocean Generation. He has a master's in marine biology from Southampton and is a PADI/SSI Divemaster. He prefers to be below or on the water, but when forced to be on land he is mostly happy talking about the sea and the things in it. Despite a love for sailing, surfing, SCUBA and sibilance, he is not a strong swimmer without his fins. He justifies this by asking if you have seen a fish swim well without its fins.

Erinn Bell is a second-year Master’s student in the School of Marine Science and Policy at the University of Delaware and the Global Ocean Forum’s (GOF) 2025 Dr. Biliana Cicin-Sain Ocean and Climate Change Intern. She is currently studying Marine Policy, focusing on marine mammal strandings and policy implementation along the U.S. East Coast. In her role with the GOF, she is providing substantive and administrative support with the development of the Report on Assessing Progress on Ocean and Climate Action: 2024-2025 and the COP30 Virtual Ocean Pavilion. Erinn is passionate about the intersection of marine science, conservation, and policy.

Siena is a senior at Monmouth University, pursuing a B.S. in Marine & Environmental Biology and Policy and minoring in Geographic Information Systems (GIS). She works for the Global Ocean Forum and the Urban Coast Institute as research assistant, contributing to projects advancing sustainable ocean governance and marine policy. She also works as an undergraduate research assistant analyzing environmental DNA (eDNA) samples from oceanic and estuarine environments for a project on “Investigating eDNA as a Tool for Monitoring the Lower Hudson–Raritan Estuary”. Additionally, she serves as President of Monmouth’s Chapter of Love Blue, a student-run, externally funded nonprofit that organizes beach cleanups and engages students in hands-on ocean stewardship. She is passionate about ocean sustainability, policy, marine science, and community action, and is driven to protect and restore our blue planet.

Cymie Payne is a Professor at Rutgers University, affiliated with the Department of Human Ecology and the Law School. Her research focuses on global environmental governance, ocean law, climate change, and protection of the environment in relation to armed conflict. As Chair of the IUCN Ocean Law Specialist Group, she leads work on legal aspects of the Biodiversity Beyond National Jurisdiction Agreement and contributed to IUCN’s 2024 climate change submission to the International Tribunal for the Law of the Sea. A Fellow of the American College of Environmental Lawyers, Payne holds degrees from The Fletcher School and UC Berkeley.

Lisa A. Levin is a Distinguished Professor Emerita at Scripps Institution of Oceanography, University of California, San Diego. Her research examines the biodiversity of deep continental margin ecosystems, the effects of climate change (especially ocean deoxygenation) and human impacts on the deep ocean, with over 50 research cruises and 70 submersible dives in the Pacific, Indian and Atlantic Oceans. She has a leadership role in the Deep-Ocean Stewardship Initiative and co-leads the Climate Working Group. Dr. Levin is active in bringing climate science to policy and has contributed to multiple IPCC reports, UNFCCC Ocean Dialogues, World Ocean Assessments, the BBNJ Agreement and International Seabed Authority negotiations.  

Dr. Erik Cordes is a Full Professor and Chair of the Department of Biology, with over 30 years of experience studying deep-sea ecology. He has authored more than 100 scientific papers, participated in over 30 research cruises, and completed 47 dives in manned submersibles. A self-described ocean explorer and ecological oceanographer, Dr. Cordes has led expeditions across the East Coast, Gulf of Mexico, Caribbean, Costa Rica, and the Phoenix Islands. He serves in the U.N. World Ocean Assessment’s Pool of Experts, on the Steering Committee for Challenger 150, and the Advisory Board of Earth Percent. Dedicated to sharing ocean science, he collaborates with artists, filmmakers, and musicians to inspire broader appreciation of the deep sea.

Dr. Ilysa Iglesias is an ocean scientist deeply interested in the ecological connections between ocean twilight zone (mesopelagic) communities and the broader ocean ecosystem. Her current research as a Postdoctoral Fellow at Scripps Institution of Oceanography, uses a combination of catch and fisheries acoustics data to explore how changing oceanographic conditions shape the distribution and abundance of mesopelagic fishes within the California Current.

Joachim Claudet is Research Director and Ocean Advisor for CNRS, with expertise in biodiversity conservation, sustainability science, and ecosystem-based management. His interdisciplinary work bridges ecology, social sciences, and governance to develop actionable knowledge for decision-makers. Focusing on coastal and marine social-ecological systems, he studies how biodiversity loss affects human well-being and identifies solutions to mitigate those impacts. His research integrates multiple knowledge systems to evaluate trade-offs between conservation and sustainable development, ensuring that nature-based solutions are both effective and equitable. A lead author of several IPBES assessments, Claudet also contributes to international groups including ICES, the Ocean and Climate Platform, the High Level Panel for a Sustainable Ocean Economy, and IUCN. Joachim Claudet edited a book on marine protected areas at Cambridge University Press.

Liz Hetherington is a marine ecologist specializing in pelagic food webs and the science-policy interface. She earned her Ph.D. in Biology from UC San Diego in 2018. Following this, she conducted postdoctoral research in Anela Choy’s lab at the Scripps Institution of Oceanography, focusing on gelatinous zooplankton in the California Current Ecosystem. Liz is currently a teaching professor at Scripps and co-leads the science-to-policy working group with the Deep Ocean Observing Strategy.

Dr. Diva Amon is a Caribbean marine biologist focused on the little-known habitats and animals of the deep ocean, and how our actions affect them. Driven by a commitment to deep-ocean stewardship and global engagement, she works at the nexus of science, policy and communication. Diva has participated in expeditions worldwide, produced over 80 publications, and delivered numerous presentations to decision-makers. Amon is a Science Advisor to the Benioff Ocean Science Laboratory at the University of California, Santa Barbara, and a Founder and Director of SpeSeas, an organization dedicated to marine science, education, and advocacy in her home country, Trinidad and Tobago. A 2020 National Geographic Emerging Explorer and a World Economic Forum Friend of Ocean Action, she earned her PhD from the University of Southampton.

Pradeep Singh is a Senior Project Manager at Oceano Azul Foundation in Lisbon, Portugal. He holds an LL.M degree from Harvard Law School, an LL.M. degree in Global Environment and Climate Change Law from the University of Edinburgh as a British Chevening scholar, and an LL.B. degree with first-class honours from the University of Malaya in his home country, Malaysia. Pradeep has published extensively on public international law, global environmental law and climate law, the law of the sea, and ocean governance. He regularly attends and participates in meetings of the International Seabed Authority, including until recently as a member of the IUCN delegation. Pradeep routinely provides legal advice to several delegates and supports governments on technical matters pertaining to marine areas beyond national jurisdiction.

Ruth became Chief Executive of Lloyd’s Register Foundation in 2022, having joined in 2014 to lead global programmes on resilience, risk, and safety innovation. 

She has a strong background in space and environmental regulation and previously chaired the Welding Institute and the TWI Innovation Network. Her leadership spans major collaborations with the Alan Turing Institute, Arup, Gallup, and the Safetytech Accelerator.

She is a Non-executive Director of Cefas – the Centre for Environment, Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences – a UK Government appointment. She is the Chair of the Institution of Occupational Safety and Health Board of Trustees and is a commissioner with the National Preparedness Commission.  

Philippa Charlton is the Chief Marketing Officer of Lloyd’s Register (LR) and member of the Executive Leadership team. 

Prior to joining LR, Philippa was CMO of Averda, a global waste management company operating across multiple industry sectors in recycling, waste to energy and engineering projects in both the public and private sector. Before that she was the Group Marketing Director of a global security business whose divisions included PGI Cyber, which specialised in cyber security reliance for Corporate and International Governments and PVI, one of the world’s leading maritime security companies. 

Her earlier career was spent in the paper and plastics industry in multiple international roles in both private and public businesses.

In her role as senior marine pilot, Elizabeth guides some of the world’s largest vessels safely through the Port of Mombasa. She is celebrated as the first female Marine Pilot and the first female Master Mariner in East and Central Africa - breaking barriers in a profession long dominated by men. With over a decade of seagoing experience, Captain Marami rose to Chief Officer Navigation with Royal Caribbean Group’s Celebrity Cruises, where she led navigation, dry-dock operations, and energy-efficiency retrofits aligned with IMO’s 2050 goals. Her expertise spans technical navigation, sustainable port operations, and green shipping strategies. She is currently pursuing an MBA in Operations Management, focusing on the cost impacts of carbon reduction strategies in African ports. Captain Marami is also the founder of Against the Tide Foundation, a mentorship platform amplifying women seafarers’ voices. Her motto: “I may have been the first but I promise I won’t be the last.”

Tim is Director of Skills and Education at Lloyd’s Register Foundation. He is responsible for building and leading a substantial and diverse portfolio of international programmes and activities to maximise impact in line with Lloyd’s Register Foundation’s charitable mission to “engineer a safer world.” He is a highly-skilled science and engineering education specialist operating at the highest levels internationally, bringing together key stakeholders and influencers from government, policy, education, industry and academia. He possesses wide-ranging experience of international science and engineering education agendas and providing strategic oversight of high-impact and engaging initiatives. He has been a researcher in industry and academia following his PhD in molecular genetics from the University of Leicester. He is also the Chair of the Maritime Charities Group, which is an alliance of major seafaring charities in the UK. It fosters collaboration across the maritime charity sector and supports the education and welfare of seafarers and their families.

Captain Stylianos Dimouleas has 35 years of experience in the shipping industry. He spent sixteen years as an Officer and Master on large oil tankers, including two years overseeing construction of Aframax, Suezmax, and VLCC tankers in major shipyards in Japan and Korea. He subsequently held various managerial roles in the shipping sector, before becoming the CEO of Almi Tankers S.A. in 2013.

Captain Dimouleas has forged significant strategic partnerships, deals and negotiations with the most reputable Oil Majors, Oil Trading Companies, and other major industry stakeholders worldwide. He also led new building projects involving some of the most advanced designs of Suezmax and VLCC tankers. Moreover, he leads the continual improvement of an integrated management system, recognised by international accreditations such as ISO 9001, 14001, 45001, 50001, 22301and 27001. Under his leadership, his team has emerged as a top-tier oil transportation service provider, earning several awards and notable recognitions from charterers, and various industry bodies. He led the “Investors in People” standard accreditation, and he was instrumental in achieving the “We Invest in Wellbeing” standard accreditation that were offered to a shipping company for the first time in Greece. Actively engaging with the industry, he participates in various initiatives and forums focusing on the industry’s future challenges. He has authored industry-related articles and is a guest lecturer for an elective course of a top-tier Master’s program in Shipping in the UK. Since September 2023 he has been appointed by the University of Piraeus as Clinical Professor of the MSc in Shipping Management as well as student Mentor.

Captain Dimouleas holds a Master’s level PGDip in Organisational Leadership from the University of Oxford – Said Business School. He also has a Captain’s Class A license, a Level 5 Extended Diploma from the Chartered Management Institute (CMI), UK, and a Chartered Manager qualification. He is also a DBA candidate in Strategic Management since Oct 2024.

He is a council member of Intertanko, and he’s affiliated with the Said Business School, the Nautical Institute UK, the Chartered Management Institute UK, Pembroke College UK, and the Hellenic Shipmaster’s Association.

Professor Momoko Kitada is a globally recognised expert in maritime education, gender equity, and innovation. At the World Maritime University (WMU), she leads research and teaching on the human element of shipping, with a focus on inclusive transitions and sustainable development. As Nippon Foundation Professorial Chair in Gender and Innovation, she plays a strategic role in the Global Maritime Trends 2050 programme, a collaboration with Lloyd’s Register Foundation that explores future risks and opportunities across the maritime system. A former seafarer, Professor Kitada brings lived experience to her work on workforce inclusion, safety, and climate resilience. She is a certified Gender Audit Facilitator and works closely with the International Maritime Organization to advance equity in maritime policy and practice. Her leadership bridges academic insight and sector transformation, helping shape a safer, more inclusive ocean economy.

Dr. Renis Ojwala is a researcher at the World Maritime University. Her work looks at how to make the maritime sector fairer, safer, and more sustainable - especially for women and underrepresented communities. She plays an important role in the Global Maritime Trends 2050 programme, a partnership with Lloyd’s Register Foundation that explores future risks and opportunities in shipping and ocean work. Renis co-wrote the Deep Dive on Seafarer Sustainability report, which highlights global crew shortages and calls for better support for African and female seafarers. Her research connects climate change, safety, and workforce inclusion, always focusing on the real-life experiences of maritime workers. Renis is a strong advocate for fair transitions and is widely respected for her contributions to global maritime discussions.

Anastasia Kouvertari is the Senior Lead, Human Competency for the Human Safety & Risk team of the Lloyd’s Register Maritime Decarbonisation Hub (The Decarb Hub), with professional expertise in managing projects related to GHG emission reduction, new fuels adoption and workforce training for shipping’s green transition. She represents The Decarb Hub as project manager in the “baseline training for seafarers in decarbonisation” project led by the Maritime Just Transition Taskforce, the first global sectoral task force dedicated to a just transition for the maritime industry. 

Anastasia first joined Lloyd’s Register (LR) in 2004, holding several positions as environmental specialist, product manager and project manager in LR’s Marine & Offshore business. She holds a Master of Science in Environment & Development from the London School of Economics and Political Science (LSE) and is an Associate Member with the Institute of Environmental Management and Assessment (IEMA).

Nick joined Lloyd’s Register (LR) in 1996 and was appointed CEO in January 2021. In an extensive career with LR, he has worked as a ship surveyor in Bahrain, Dubai, Finland and Germany before moving to China to spend seven years leading LR’s activities in the country. He has since been Director for Business Development and Innovation, Marine Chief Operating Officer and Marine and Offshore Director. His focus as CEO is to deliver LR’s vision of ‘working together for a safe, sustainable and thriving ocean economy’, improving the performance, safety and sustainability of their clients’ businesses through LR’s trusted advice, insight and expertise.

Nick holds prominent roles in several key maritime organisations. He sits on the Supervisory Board of the UK Chamber of Shipping, the Advisory Council of the Global Maritime Forum, and the Maritime International Advisory Panel in Singapore. These positions highlight his significant influence and expertise in the global shipping and maritime industry.

Dr. Gemma Connell is Youth Engagement Lead at Ocean Generation, a UK Charity and marine conservation NGO. She moved into Ocean conservation and science communication after 15 years in the performing arts industry. She has a PhD in Dance and now facilitates workshops, develops educational programmes for young people, engages in research and develops resources using Ocean Generation's brand of Ocean Intelligence across the UK and beyond.

Marea Hatziolos is a retired marine ecologist and international development specialist with over 40 years of experience working at the intersection of marine conservation and sustainable development.  She received her undergraduate degree in Biology from Wellesley College and earned a PhD in Zoology and Ecology from UC, Berkeley. Following postdocs in Mexico and at Yale University, Marea launched a life-long career in International Development after accepting an American Association for the Advancement of Science Diplomacy fellowship at USAID. Following a decade working with USAID, Marea joined the World Bank where she advocated for the need to incorporate coastal and marine sustainability concerns into the Bank’s operations and policies. There, she led the Bank’s early work on marine biodiversity conservation, designed and led the Bank’s first transboundary marine program to sustainably manage the MesoAmerican Barrier Reef, raised awareness about the ocean’s central role in the global economy and the need for policy reform across key sectors to achieve higher and sustainable returns, and worked to incorporate rights-based management into climate resilience of vulnerable coastal communities. Since retiring from the World Bank, Marea remains engaged in ocean stewardship, including mentoring emerging ocean leaders and advising decision makers through her work on various boards.

Jasdeep Randhawa is the Ocean Lead at the UN Climate Change Secretariat. She supports the co-facilitators in delivering the mandated Ocean and Climate Change Dialogue, enhancing ocean-based climate ambition in national climate goals, integrating ocean across relevant UNFCCC constituted bodies, and strengthening inter-agency coordination on the ocean. She also supports Parties to periodically review the adequacy of the long-term global goal on temperature, and the progress towards achieving it.

Previously, she worked with UN-Habitat as the Coordinator of the Cities and Climate Change Science Initiative and led the IPCC partnership.

She holds dual degrees in Law and Public Policy.

Loreley Picourt is the Executive Director of the Ocean & Climate Platform (OCP) – an international network from civil society mobilised for “a healthy ocean, a protected climate”. As a strong advocate for multilateral cooperation, she works at the science-policy interface for a better integration of the ocean-climate-biodiversity nexus into decision-making. 

At the UNFCCC, Loreley is the ‘Ocean and Coastal Zones’ focal point of the Marrakech Partnership for Global Climate Action Agenda, where she coordinates the Ocean Breakthroughs campaign to scale-up ocean-based climate solutions. For COP30, Loreley has joined the COP Secretariat to co-chair the Activation Group on "Efforts to preserve and restore ocean and coastal ecosystems". 

Loreley is also a Friend of Ocean Action and an Edinburgh Ocean Leader.

Dr. Gardner is a Mexican-American who has spent three decades as a bridge-builder working at the interface between science, policy and international environmental governance. Since beginning her career as a marine scientist in Mexico, she has been driven by the recognition that healthy ecosystems are foundational to human well-being and resilience. In her current position as the Director of the Ecosystems Division of the UN Environment Programme based in Kenya, she leads global programmes to support countries to protect, restore, and sustainably manage natural ecosystems, from land to the high seas. With projects in over 125 countries, her work has fostered cross-sectoral collaboration to help countries advance science-based solutions to meet their biodiversity, climate, and land degradation neutrality goals.

Mr. Adam McCarthy is Chief Counsel and First Assistant Secretary, Legal Division at the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT).Prior to this he was First Assistant Secretary, Multilateral Policy Division. From 2015 to 2019, he served as Australia’s High Commissioner to South Africa with accreditation to Angola, Botswana, Eswatini, Lesotho, Mozambique and Namibia. Mr. McCarthy served as Deputy High Commissioner to the United Kingdom and Australian Representative to the Commonwealth Board of Governors from 2009-2012. His previous postings were to Washington DC and Wellington NZ. In Canberra, Mr. McCarthy has worked in a range of positions primarily in the multilateral, trade, legal and arms control fields, including from 2006 to 2009 as Assistant Secretary, International Legal Branch, and as Assistant Secretary, Africa Branch. Mr McCarthy was elected as co-chair of the Preparatory Commission of the Agreement under UNCLOS on the Conservation and Sustainable Use of Marine Biological Diversity of Areas beyond National Jurisdiction (BBNJ Agreement) in June 2024. Mr McCarthy is married with two children and enjoys tennis, diving and fishing.

David Osborn, an Australian national, joined the International Maritime Organization (IMO) in September 2025. The IMO is the United Nations specialized agency responsible for the safety and security of shipping and the prevention of marine and atmospheric pollution by ships.

Mr. Osborn brings extensive experience in environmental management within the UN system and at national government level. From 2013 to 2020, he served as Director of the Marine Environment Laboratories at the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), before taking up the role of Deputy Director in the Ecosystems Division of the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) in Nairobi from 2020 to 2021.

At the national Australian level, Mr. Osborn has held several senior leadership positions with the Australian Government. These include serving as General Manager, Safety and Technical, with the Australian Radioactive Waste Agency (2021–2023), and earlier in in his career with the Department of Environment and Water Resources and the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority. He served as a commissioned officer with the Royal Australian Navy from 1991 to 1995 where he contributed to the preparation of the Navy’s inaugural environment policy.

Mr. Osborn holds a degree in Environmental Science from the University of Canberra and a Master’s degree in Environmental Law from the Australian National University. Throughout his career, he has contributed to both domestic and international programmes and initiatives addressing marine pollution, coastal management, climate change, and biodiversity conservation.

A lifelong advocate for environmental sustainability, Mr. Osborn is driven by a mission to protect ecosystems and promote innovative solutions to complex environmental challenges.

Lisa A. Levin is a Distinguished Professor Emerita at Scripps Institution of Oceanography, University of California, San Diego. Her research examines the biodiversity of deep continental margin ecosystems, the effects of climate change (especially ocean deoxygenation) and human impacts on the deep ocean, with over 50 research cruises and 70 submersible dives in the Pacific, Indian and Atlantic Oceans. She has a leadership role in the Deep-Ocean Stewardship Initiative and co-leads the Climate Working Group. Dr. Levin is active in bringing climate science to policy and has contributed to multiple IPCC reports, UNFCCC Ocean Dialogues, World Ocean Assessments, the BBNJ Agreement and International Seabed Authority negotiations.  

Filimon was appointed as the Pacific Ocean Commissioner by the Pacific Islands Forum Leaders on February 24, 2023. Prior to this role, Filimon served as the Deputy Secretary General at the Pacific Islands Forum Secretariat for three years commencing May 20, 2020. From December 2018 to May 2020, he served as the International Legal Adviser at the Pacific Islands Forum Secretariat. In this role he provided legal support to Members on key regional priority issues such as ocean governance, the impact of climate change, and nuclear testing legacy issues, to name a few. Filimon also served three years as Legal Advisor, Pacific Islands Forum Fisheries Agency (FFA) in Honiara, Solomon Islands from 2013 to 2016. 

Before venturing out to the region, Filimon served as the Attorney General for the Government of the Republic of the Marshall Islands from 2009 to 2013, and then again from 2016 to 2018.   

Filimon holds a Bachelor of Laws (LLB) from the University of Papua New Guinea, a Master’s Degree in international Maritime Law from the International Maritime Law Institute (IMLI) located at the University of Malta, and a Ph.D. degree from the Australian National Centre for Oceans Resources and Security (ANCORS) at the University of Wollongong in NSW, Australia.

With an Environmental Science background and 6+ years’ experience, Esther is experienced in Environment, Marine Conservation focused on plastic pollution, ecosystems restoration, blue economy, and Biodiversity Governance. Notably, she has worked as an Associate Environment Expert in the private sector, as a consultant with the International Coral Reef Intiative, the International Training Centre of the ILO, and as a Youth Policy Advisor with the Sustainable Ocean Alliance. Currently, Esther serves as the Country Coordinator of the Kenyan Youth Biodiversity Network, where she provides strategic leadership and oversight on initiatives focusing on youth engagement in biodiversity conservation, policy, and advocacy, after previously serving as the organization’s Marine Action Coordinator. Her work seeks to inspire collaborative action that galvanizes integrated land-sea governance and coordinated protection of these ecosystems.

Jo Ruxton is a passionate campaigner for the Ocean, she started the first marine programme for WWF in Hong Kong and helped to establish the first Marine Protected Areas there.  She was a Producer at the BBC Natural History Unit and a key member of BBC’s dive team.

Jo left the BBC to make her multi-award-winning documentary, A Plastic Ocean and founded the UK-registered charity Ocean Generation to continue its legacy.

Ruth became Chief Executive of Lloyd’s Register Foundation in 2022, having joined in 2014 to lead global programmes on resilience, risk, and safety innovation. 

She has a strong background in space and environmental regulation and previously chaired the Welding Institute and the TWI Innovation Network. Her leadership spans major collaborations with the Alan Turing Institute, Arup, Gallup, and the Safetytech Accelerator.

She is a Non-executive Director of Cefas – the Centre for Environment, Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences – a UK Government appointment. She is the Chair of the Institution of Occupational Safety and Health Board of Trustees and is a commissioner with the National Preparedness Commission.  

Maria Jose Gonzalez-Bernat is a Guatemalan biologist with over 16 years of experience in marine, coastal, and estuarine ecosystem management and conservation. Based in Colombia since 2019, she holds a Ph.D. in marine and coastal governance and a master’s degree in marine science, studying ocean acidification impacts on marine life.

She has worked with government and NGOs on research, project management, and policy development for marine conservation.  Skilled in leading multidisciplinary teams and fundraising, she excels in strategic resource management and marine and ocean governance.

Personally, she is kind, proactive, and deeply committed to equity, diversity, and inclusion.

Dr Tom Roland is an environmental scientist working at the intersection of palaeoecology and contemporary ecology. His research uses biological, geochemical, and geochronological techniques to investigate how environments and climates have changed — and continue to change — over time. With a particular focus on the Southern Hemisphere, Tom has conducted fieldwork across the Antarctic Peninsula, Peru, New Zealand, and Patagonia, studying a range of records from high-altitude wetlands to coastal and shallow-marine systems. His work provides vital insights into past environmental dynamics and their implications for the future of our planet’s ecosystems.

Jamie Buchanan-Dunlop is an environmental educator and founder of Encounter Edu, leading the education and outreach programme for the Convex Seascape Survey (CSS). His work connects scientists with classrooms worldwide through live lessons, digital resources, and interactive films that have already engaged hundreds of thousands of young people in understanding the ocean’s role in climate. Jamie has worked with research teams from the Arctic to the tropics, designing ways to translate complex marine science into learning experiences that inspire curiosity and action among the next generation.

Laura Khatib is the French-Lebanese co-founder of the NGO Guardians of the Blue based in Byblos, Lebanon, and an independent consultant. She is leading community-driven citizen science, underwater cleanups, lionfish invasion mitigation and awareness initiatives, and supporting the development of the future MPA of Byblos. She is passionate about reconnecting local communities to the ocean and sharing the beauty of local marine biodiversity. Laura is also the co-lead of the Early Career Ocean Professionals' Ocean Literacy task team and a Steering Committee member of the UNESCO/IOC Ocean Literacy With All Programme.

Paola Sangolquí is a marine biologist with a master's degree in Biology and Society and is pursuing a doctorate in Ecology, Economics, and Ethics of Ecosystems. She has 10 years of experience in the public and private sectors, with an emphasis on project planning and monitoring. She has led interdisciplinary initiatives focused on monitoring key ecosystems and species, spatial management, conservation of marine protected areas, and prevention of wildlife trafficking. She currently leads the Marine Conservation Program at the Jocotoco Foundation.

Martin Alessandrini is Advocacy and International Cooperation Officer at the Tara Ocean Foundation, where he works to raise awareness and mobilize decision-makers in favor of ocean protection. He works in particular on policies related to ocean governance and plastic pollution, and regularly speaks at international conferences and events related to the ocean. He is an environmental engineer specializing in marine ecosystems and holds a degree in political science.

Ross Gracey is a PhD student at the University of Liverpool and a marine biogeochemist. My research focuses on the relationship between variations in nutrient cycles and phytoplankton biodiversity within the Southern Ocean, with a specialised interest in diatom communities. He utilises state-of-the-art instruments and analytical tools, including the Imaging FlowCytobot (IFCB), to gain high resolution spatiotemporal imaging insights into the phytoplankton community composition. His research aims to understand the drivers of abundance and distribution of specific phytoplankton groups, aiming to improve climate model predictions of how the Southern Ocean ecosystem responds to future climate scenarios.

Alessandro Tagliabue is a Professor in Ocean Sciences at the University of Liverpool. He uses complex numerical models of ocean ecosystems, alongside observational data to assess the impact of climate change on nutrient cycling and marine productivity. Alessandro is the co-chair of the Scientific Steering Committee of the international GEOTRACES programme, was a lead author of the IPCC Special Report on the Ocean and Cryosphere in a Changing Climate (SROCC) and is a lead author of the IPCC Working Group 1 Seventh Assessment Report (AR7).

Nova Mieszkowska is a physiological ecologist interested in identifying the biological mechanisms in invertebrates and macroalgae that underpin the macroecological responses to climate warming and ocean acidification. Her current research using combined laboratory and field experiments is investigating how increasing temperatures are altering reproductive cycles and impacting recruitment and the effects of climate change on invasive capabilities of non-natives.

Claire Mahaffey is a marine biogeochemist interested in the cycling of nutrients and carbon in the ocean, the connection between nutrients, plankton and food webs and the impact of climate change on ocean ecosystems. She studies nutrients and plankton in a wide range of marine environments, from coastal and shelf sea waters, to the subtropical open ocean and most recently, the Arctic Ocean.

Ric Williams is a Professor in Ocean and Climate Sciences at University of Liverpool, conducting research on how physical processes operate in the ocean and their effect on climate and the carbon cycle. Recent research highlights include how warming stripes for temperature extend from the surface to the rest of the ocean and to the overlying atmosphere (Hawkins et al., 2025; BAMS, doi.org/10.1175/BAMS-D-24-0212.1) and how there are hemispheric differences in the ocean uptake of heat and anthropogenic carbon (Williams et al., 2024, Nature Climate Change, doi.org/10.1038/s41558-024-02066-3). He has jointly written a text book on Ocean Dynamics and the Carbon Cycle.

Chris Hughes is Professor of Sea Level Science at the University of Liverpool. His research focuses on the relationship between ocean dynamics, sea level, ocean bottom pressure, and geodesy (the science of measuring the Earth's shape, orientation, and gravity field). Chris is currently most interested in how the global continental slope acts to simplify the ocean circulation, and to connect (or disconnect) coastal sea level to sea level in the ocean's interior. The steep slope produces strong dynamical constraints on pressure variations along the slope, which has a profound influence on the global circulation, and on the interconnections between ocean basins.

Jamie Wilson is a Lecturer in Ocean Sciences and UKRI Future Leaders Fellow at the University of Liverpool. His research focuses on the interactions between marine plankton ecosystems, biogeochemistry, the carbon cycle and climate. He primarily develops and uses Earth System Models of ocean biogeochemistry and the Earth system.

Dr. Ben Moat is an ocean and climate scientist at the UK’s National Oceanography Centre. He plays a leading role in understanding the Atlantic oceans stability and the risk of ocean tipping points. His research, through the RAPID 26°N programme, tracks changes in the Atlantic Meridional Overturning Circulation (AMOC)—a key system that regulates heat transport and climate patterns. His work uses long-term observations to detect early warning signals of AMOC weakening, which could disrupt weather, rainfall, and sea level across Europe. His efforts highlight how sustained ocean observing is vital to anticipate abrupt climate shifts and safeguard societies dependent on ocean stability.

Professor Tim Lenton is Director of the Global Systems Institute at the University of Exeter and Chair in Climate Change and Earth System Science. With 25+ years of research, he is renowned for identifying climate tipping points that shaped the 1.5°C target and net zero goals. He advises policymakers and businesses on climate risks, nature loss, and opportunities for positive tipping points to accelerate change. In 2023, he led 200 experts from 90+ organizations to produce the landmark Global Tipping Points Report with the Bezos Earth Fund, launched at COP28.

Dr. Louise Sime leads the Ice Dynamics and Paleoclimate Team and heads the Earth System Modelling Group at the British Antarctic Survey (BAS). She specialises in polar climate research, studying ice sheets, sea ice, and climate change across timescales from seasonal to multi-millennial. Her work focuses on past tipping events and on assessing the accuracy of climate models in predicting polar and global tipping points.

Viktoria Spaiser is a Professor of Climate Politics and Computational Social Science at the School of Politics and International Studies, University of Leeds. She is also affiliated with the Priestley Centre for Climate Futures. Viktoria Spaiser has contributed to both Global Tipping Points Reports (2023, 2025), assessing cascading societal, systemic risks of Earth System Tipping Points, such as the AMOC collapse and exploring Earth System Tipping Points governance approaches and strategies. She has also received the UKRI Future Leaders Fellowship award for her research on societal responses to the escalating climate crisis. 

Susanna Lidström is an environmental historian who studies the history of ocean science and governance, with a focus on the deep ocean. She is a senior researcher at the Division of History of Science, Technology and Environment at KTH Royal Institute of Technology in Sweden, a visiting scholar at the Center for Marine Biodiversity and Conservation at Scripps Institution of Oceanography at University of California San Diego in the USA, and a member of the Deep-Ocean Stewardship Initiative. She is founding co-editor of the forthcoming journal Anthropocene History (Duke University Press).

Lisa A. Levin is a Distinguished Professor Emerita at Scripps Institution of Oceanography, University of California, San Diego. Her research examines the biodiversity of deep continental margin ecosystems, the effects of climate change (especially ocean deoxygenation) and human impacts on the deep ocean, with over 50 research cruises and 70 submersible dives in the Pacific, Indian and Atlantic Oceans. She has a leadership role in the Deep-Ocean Stewardship Initiative and co-leads the Climate Working Group. Dr. Levin is active in bringing climate science to policy and has contributed to multiple IPCC reports, UNFCCC Ocean Dialogues, World Ocean Assessments, the BBNJ Agreement and International Seabed Authority negotiations.  

Dr. Anna Metaxas, a Killam Professor at Dalhousie University, is an expert in marine seafloor ecology and ecological connectivity of shallow and deep-sea ecosystems. She co-leads the Biodiversity Conservation Task Force of the Deep Ocean Stewardship Initiative, is a coordinating lead author on the Biodiversity Inclusive Spatial Planning and Connectivity assessment and was a lead author on the Nexus assessment on the Interlinkages among Biodiversity, Water, Food and Health of IPBES and has advised processes by the International Seabed Authority and Convention on Biological Diversity. She has extensive experience advising the Canadian government on the design and monitoring of Marine Protected Areas.  

Christine is a Research Associate with the Nippon Foundation - University of Edinburgh Ocean Voices Programme and a PhD researcher at the University of Edinburgh. She has an interdisciplinary background in human rights, law and policy, and marine science, which she draws on for her research on science-society-policy interfaces in ocean governance. Christine Co-Leads the BBNJ Working Group for the Deep-Ocean Stewardship Initiative where she has worked with an international group of experts to help better connect knowledge with the BBNJ process since 2019.

Marcel Jaspars is Professor of Organic Chemistry at the University of Aberdeen where he leads the Marine Biodiscovery Centre which focuses on marine resources for novel pharmaceuticals, and to investigate fundamental questions in marine chemical ecology and biosynthesis. 

Marcel has been active at national and international levels to develop the science, its applications/industrial uptake and associated policy involved in marine biodiscovery and biotechnology. He provides scientific advice to the UK, EU and UN for global policy processes on ocean conservation and digital sequence information via reports, papers and taking part in discussion meetings. He is a co-lead of the Deep Ocean Stewardship Initiative’s Working Group on Marine Genetic Resources.

Kristina M. Gjerde, J.D., is Senior High Seas Advisor to the IUCN (International Union for Conservation of Nature) Global Ocean Team and honorary professor at the University of Edinburgh. 

With IUCN, Kristina has worked to improve global governance of marine biodiversity beyond national boundaries. She has co-authored more than 200 publications and co-founded four initiatives: Global Ocean Biodiversity Initiative, Sargasso Sea Project, High Seas Alliance, and Deep Ocean Stewardship Initiative (DOSI).  In 2024, Kristina received the Elisabeth Haub Award for Environmental Law and Diplomacy for her instrumental role in the 2023 UN Agreement on Biodiversity beyond national jurisdiction.

A Biologist specialized in remote sensing image interpretation applied to rural and territorial studies. Marta holds a Master’s in Biological Sciences (Biodiversity and Conservation) from the National University of Colombia, where she is currently a PhD candidate. Her work focuses on the planning and management of protected areas, biodiversity conservation, and sustainable resource use. Since 2006, she has advised Colombia’s National Natural Parks and now serves as Deputy Director of Management of National Natural Parks. Member of the IUCN World Commission on Protected Areas, she promotes science-based, participatory approaches to conservation and sustainable development.

Dave has worked as an environmental professional within Natural England and predecessor bodies for over 30 years. He originally trained as a plant ecologist, starting his career as a field surveyor mapping the vegetation communities of south-east England. He now tends to describe himself as a multidisciplinary environmental scientist, having developed expertise in public health, aspects of social science and economics, and the analysis and synthesis of evidence from multiple sources. In recent years, Dave has worked on gamebirds, upland burning, biodiversity net gain, natural capital, biodiversity, and human health amongst other things.

Dave is a fellow and former trustee of the Institute of Environmental Science, trustee of the Ecological Continuity Trust and Collaboration for Environmental Evidence, and expert adviser to NICE. He also has a handful of active research projects on the go, ranging across disease vector range shifts, climate change impacts on grassland vegetation, and orchid autecology.

Dr. Kulwa Mtaki is a marine scientist specializing in fisheries management and ocean governance. She holds a PhD and MSc in Marine Sciences and a BSc in Aquatic Environmental Sciences and Conservation, all from the University of Dar es Salaam, Tanzania. Dr. Mtaki serves as a Marine Conservation Warden at the Marine Parks and Reserves Unit (MPRU), where she focuses on strengthening the sustainable management of Tanzania’s marine protected areas. Her work integrates scientific research and community engagement to address challenges related to climate change, ecological resilience, and conservation governance.

Purwanto has over 20 years of experience in support developing Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) across Indonesia. He specializes in designing and implementing marine biological monitoring programs to assess coral reef communities, human impacts, and reef resilience to climate change. His expertise includes MPA design and planning, surveillance, coral reef fisheries, species management, and evaluating MPA effectiveness. Purwanto has led numerous marine resource surveys, including reef fish spawning aggregations and marine mammal monitoring, and has supported the development and implementation of practical guidelines and tools for assessing MPA management effectiveness in Indonesia.

PhD in Biological Sciences (Barcelona University); Free-lance consultant on marine and coastal conservation. Director of Institutional Relations at Underwater Gardens International and Coordinator of the Global Network of MPA Manager Networks Project (Blue Nature Alliance). President of MedPAN (2009-2024); Team Leader of EU projects Transatlantic MPA Network (2016-2019) and Ocean Governance (2020-2024) connecting MPA manger networks around the world. IUCN Regional Councillor (2000-2008) and Vice-president (2004-2008). President of Preparatory Committee IV WCC, Barcelona (2006-2008). President of League for Defence of Natural Heritage (1994-2010). Awarded with St. George’s Cross by Government of Catalonia (2020) and Alfred Toepfer Medal by EUROPARC (2022).

Muhusina has a master's in marine science and management from Macquarie University, Sydney. She joined the Ministry in 2007, and is currently the Director of protected areas, leading the works of protected areas and Biosphere Reserves in the Ministry. She is an expert member of the IUCN World Commission on the Protected Areas , co-chair of Asia Protected Area Partners and is currently representing the Asia Pacific in the UNESCO working group on biosphere reserves. She has published national guidance on protected area management plans and contributed to the national IUCN Green list assessment and protected area management effectiveness reports. She is a certified assessor of IUCN red list for species and IUCN Green list for protected areas and has contributed to several programs related to Environment at national level and international level.

Sébastien Renard has been with Parks Canada for over 10 years. He has worked as a scientist in terrestrial and marine protected areas, specializing in ecosystem health monitoring. For almost 2 years, he has been now the manager of the Adaptation and Resilience team of Parks Canada's National branch of Natural Resource Management. His team provides advice, expertise and tools to Parks Canada's protected areas to better adapt to climate change. 

Dr. Chantal Vis is a Senior Marine Ecosystem Specialist with the Protected Area Establishment and Conservation Directorate at Parks Canada in Ottawa. Over the past 20 years, she has worked on a wide range of marine and freshwater management, monitoring, and research initiatives in protected areas across Canada. In addition, she contributes to national program policy development, including the national monitoring framework. Chantal also serves on the Canadian steering committee for NAMPAN—the North American Marine Protected Areas Network—where she collaborates on shared species and conservation issues.

Phénia Marras currently serves as Marine Adviser for multilateral relations within a public organization, the French Biodiversity Agency (OFB). She’s developing pilot initiatives relative to MPA governance in the high seas, in relation with multilateral donors. She’s also in charge of strategic international partnerships with the the CDB Secretariat in support to the Sustainable Ocean Initiative (SOI). She works alongside partners as part of the International Partnership on MPAs, Biodiversity and Climate Change. She has been leading for 15 years European consortiums for MPA networks in support to marine biodiversity conservation policies for regional seas and international legal frameworks. She was previously Fundraising Manager in Radio France international (RFI) for capacity building projects in the media and in social economy. She studied at the University Institute for European Studies in Paris on the geopolitical, economic and sociocultural challenges of European integration.

Fabrice Stephenson is a marine ecologist at Newcastle University and Vice Chair of the WCPA Marine Thematic Group. His research examines spatial patterns and drivers of marine biodiversity, focusing on human impacts like fishing and climate change. Using statistical modelling, he develops science to guide marine spatial planning and policy. Currently, his 5-year fellowship aims to improve methods for estimating ecosystem service distributions under climate change, supporting effective and equitable resource management.

About the Ocean Conservation

The Ocean Conservation Trust is a charity of Ocean optimists taking action to protect and restore nature for a thriving Ocean. OCT focus on inspiring Ocean advocacy through connections with nature, combined with our ground-breaking work protecting & restoring vital Ocean habitats. They work tirelessly to connect people to the Ocean and influence pro-Ocean behaviour. 

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About Oceanogami

Oceanogami is the bridge that connects the needs of our ocean with socio-political and economic objectives and projects. They promote greater ocean responsibility through projects, consultancies and awareness-raising, education, and research events. Their approach promotes effective actions for marine conservation, ranging from companies and governments to NGOs and citizens.

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About Bauhaus of the Seas

The Bauhaus of the Seas is a creative initiative that connects the European Green Deal to people’s living spaces and experiences, guided by the values of sustainability, inclusion and creativity. Christiano He collaborates with the European lighthouse project Bauhaus of the Seas Sails, bridging biology, art, architecture and local communities, in the search for answers to environmental problems in the Ocean; and with the TIDAL ArtS project, which aims to inspire and transform aquatic landscapes through art and science, uniting nature with culture.

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About the Rockpool Project

The Rockpool Project are a not-for-profit community interest company passionate about connecting people of all ages and backgrounds to the incredible wildlife found around our coastline. By engaging with local communities and promoting scientific exploration, they aim to create a sustainable network of healthy, well connected marine conservationists across and beyond the South West.

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About ECOP Chile

ECOP Chile connects science, policy, culture, and communities to co-create inclusive solutions for marine conservation and coastal well-being. ECOP Cjhile are a community that connects disciplines, people, and knowledge to conserve and improve our oceans, and to encourage the new generation of ocean leaders to foster a sustainable relationship between society and the ocean.

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About PartArt4OW

PartArt4OW unites art, science, and civic engagement to tackle pressing ocean and water challenges across Europe. Through Participatory Art Initiatives (PAIs), we empower creative communities to develop interdisciplinary projects that enhance public awareness, build emotional connections, and inspire action for water sustainability. 

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About Plymouth Culture

Plymouth’s heritage and connection to the ocean is at the heart of an inspiring new cultural and artistic programme through which we are inviting Plymouth residents to reconnect with the sea. Creating opportunities for artists and audiences, sparking curiosity, and celebrating Plymouth Sound National Marine Park, Sea for Yourself is a once-in-a-generation initiative that will blend creativity, technology and community engagement to create meaningful experiences that highlight our connection to the natural world.

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Kizzy is a PhD researcher and educator passionate about transformative ocean governance, participatory approaches, and environmental justice. Her work explores how inclusive, place-based governance models can support sustainable marine futures. 

Karly Kelso is an Acting Senior Director in EDF’s Fisheries & Oceans program, leading the aquatic foods portfolio and the Aquatic Blue Foods Coalition Secretariat. She works with governments, civil society, and the private sector to elevate blue foods in global policy dialogues, including collaborating with UNFCCC COP Presidencies and High-Level Climate Champions to integrate aquatic foods into climate agendas. Additionally, she manages EDF's India fisheries portfolio. Over 15 years at EDF, she has advanced fishery management program design and informed policy to promote sustainable fisheries and resilient ocean ecosystems globally.

Dr Michelle Tigchelaar is a Senior Scientist at WorldFish, leading the organization’s impact agenda on Climate Resilience and Environmental Sustainability. An interdisciplinary climate scientist with more than a decade of experience, she works at the interface of science and policy to scale evidence-based adaptation and mitigation solutions in food systems. Her recent work has helped shape global dialogue and partnerships, such as the Aquatic Blue Food Coalition, that advance the integration of aquatic foods into key multilateral processes, global climate commitments, and national climate strategies.

Dr. Juli-Anne Russo, a native of Kingston, Jamaica, is the founder of the Caribbean Aquaculture Education and Innovation Hub.  A recent Fulbright Specialist, she is an Aquaculture Scientist specializing in aquatic animal nutrition, feed management, and the prevention of fish diseases. Dr. Russo has served as a consultant for the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), USAID, the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB), and Compete Caribbean, providing technical expertise to fish farmers in developing countries. Her work focuses on food and nutrition security, youth technical capacity building and women’s empowerment in aquaculture, biosecurity, environmental sustainability, and rural development.

Fernanda Sampaio, an animal scientist, is a researcher at Brazilian Agricultural Research Corporation (Embrapa). Her work focuses on global policies and strategies to adapt aquaculture production systems to climate change.

In her work with the OA Alliance, Juliana focuses on providing creative direction, including developing the organization’s brand, creating effective communications strategies, and expanding the Alliance’s broader science communications efforts. Juliana strengthens relationships with many of the OA Alliance’s Affiliate members by showcasing their work through innovative collaborations. She is inspired by the challenge to find new, creative ways of making the invisible visible in bringing ocean-climate issues to the public eye. 

Juliana is a Costa Rican ocean advocate who focuses on uniting creativity with ocean conservation. With over a decade of experience in creative communications, she elevates the branding and communications of NGOs and initiatives to better reflect the impact of their work. 

Natalie Bravo is a passionate young leader dedicated to ocean sustainability through research, innovation, and collaboration. Her work focuses on understanding the impacts of climate stressors—such as acidification, warming, and hypoxia—on marine ecosystems, particularly in upwelling regions vital for aquaculture. She has played a key role in developing low-cost sensor monitoring systems to improve environmental data collection, addressing critical gaps for marine resource management.  

Her leadership extends beyond research; she actively engages in international networks like ICONEC, SOA, and LAOCA, promoting interdisciplinary collaboration and science communication. With a proactive approach to bridging science, policy, and community action.

Monika is an expert in storytelling, with training in social sciences, scriptwriting, project management, and diversity and inclusion. She has dedicated her 20+ years career to turning complex content into engaging messages, with special interest in projects of social or environmental value.

Monika is convinced that powerful stories can change the world for the better, so after working in the NGO sector and independent filmmaking, she decided to found LUMA, a story-design studio with offices in Costa Rica and the United Kingdom. By using emotions as the driver of hard facts and data, Monika has helped businesses and organizations of all sizes carefully craft audiovisual products that fuel positive impact worldwide, drawing research and knowledge closer to decision-makers and target audiences. Monika is constantly looking for new opportunities to tangibly contribute to improving the world we all share.

Dr. Katy Soapi is an ocean scientist specialising in the chemistry of organisms in the ocean. Before joining Pacific Community as Coordinator in 2021, Katy was at the University of the South Pacific (USP) holding a range of positions including as a Lecturer at the School of Biological and Chemical Sciences and a Manager of the Pacific Natural Products Research Centre. She grew up on the island of Rendova, in the Solomon Islands. Dr. Soapi completed a bachelor’s degree at the USP, a master’s at the University of Sydney in Australia and a PhD at the University of East Anglia in the UK. She has a keen interest in science capacity development and is passionate about working at the community level on natural resource management.  

Dr. César Bernal is the Head of the Marine Environmental Quality Laboratory Unit (LABCAM), of the Marine and Coastal Research Institute INVEMAR, Colombia and representative of the technical committee of the Marine and Coastal Research Network (REMARCO).

Chris Martinez is the Chief of Staff for the Makah Indian Tribe, qwidiččaʔa·tx̌, a sovereign nation of native people on the Olympic Peninsula whose cultural heritage, spiritual connection, rituals and ceremonies, and food sovereignty are all rooted in right relationship with the sea. 

Dr. Micah Horwith leads the first state-level monitoring program on ocean acidification in the United States. He oversees monitoring efforts to measure and report OA conditions in greater Puget Sound and the outer coast estuaries for the Washington State Department of Ecology. 

Sylvain Taboni is Head of Impact Investing at BNP Paribas. With over 15 years of experience in Sustainable Finance, corporate transformation, and climate-focused philanthropy, he works at the intersection of business innovation & environmental and social impact. Sylvain previously managed strategic CSR and sustainable finance transformation initiatives within BNP Paribas, and led major climate and environment programs at the BNP Paribas Foundation. He holds a Master’s degree in Management from KEDGE Business School.

Nicolas’ expertise combines marine science, economics, finance, and policy; all aimed at protecting marine ecosystems. On the marine side, he has contributed over 50 economic studies, scientific publications, and technical reports on ecosystem services of coral reefs. These have been used globally, to inform and convince policy makers. On the business side, Nicolas’ former positions include experience as an investment director and project developer for multinational companies, and he was also the founder and CEO of a B2B company. Nicolas has completed a Master of Business Administration (MBA) from ICN (France) and received his PhD in Marine Science from the Universidad de Barcelona (Spain).

Célia is the Partnership Manager at Blue Alliance. She holds a Master's in Corporate Finance from ESSCA School of Management. After a few years working as head of partnerships and finance for a French foundation, she is convinced that companies need to redirect their investments towards supporting projects that respect the environment and people. That's why she has chosen to focus her professional career on organisations whose projects are designed to meet a collective objective of social and environmental benefit. She believes that one of Blue Alliance's main challenges is to ensure the sustainability of MPAs by diversifying the funding model.

Within Prince Albert II of Monaco Foundation, one of the world’s foremost philanthropic institutions dedicated to environmental protection, Raphaël Ghiandai is involved in various missions, including financials oversight, managing banking relationships, developing investment strategies, and supporting fundraising efforts. He also contributes to the Foundation’s initiatives related to the blue economy.

Before joining the Foundation in 2024, Raphaël has an extensive experience in finance over 15 years. After earning his degree from EM Lyon Business School, he started his career within “big four” audit firms in Paris, Sydney and Monaco, before moving to corporate world as CFO. 

Ashleigh McGovern leads multi-disciplinary teams to design and implement nature-based solutions to the complex problems facing our ocean and climate today.

Ashleigh McGovern has worked at Conservation International for more than 12 years, now leading the Center for Oceans. During her tenure, she has led the development of global partnerships that improve ocean health for people and nature, including the Coral Reefs on the High Seas Coalition and the Blue Nature Alliance.

She holds an MA from Carnegie Mellon’s School of Public Policy and Management and a certificate in design thinking. She also cofounded em·data, inc, which co-designs data solutions for the public and private sectors

Marianne Carpentier is Advisor on Sustainable Finance at the Ocean Risk and Resilience Action Alliance (ORRAA), where she leads engagement with private-sector stakeholders to accelerate investment in a resilient and regenerative ocean economy. She contributed to the development and delivery of the Blue Economy and Finance Forum (BEFF), a Special Event of the UN Ocean Conference 2025, convening financial institutions, corporates, philanthropies and governments around ocean-positive finance.

She is also the founder and CEO of July Advisory, a strategy consultancy focused on ESG, ecological accounting and business model transition. Marianne advises corporates and public organisations on sustainability strategy, CSRD implementation and nature-positive finance.

Marianne began her career in finance at Natixis before moving into strategy consulting at Bain & Company, Exton (Accenture) and Attali Associates, working across infrastructure, water, energy and agriculture. She is a graduate of ESSEC Business School.