The Our Ocean 2020 Conference leadership was officially handed over to Palau on November 26, setting up the country to become the first Small Island Developing State (SIDS) to host such international event.
Delegates from other countries such as Norway and Indonesia attended the official handover and also provided some insights to Palau’s organizing committee about their experience hosting the same conference in the past. Delegates from the European Union also took part in the event.
The handover of the hosting of the conference was staged for two days in Palau, specifically at the Palau International Coral Reef Center (PICRC).
Palau is initially eyeing about 500 participants from different parts of the globe who will join the seventh Our Ocean Conference on August 17-18, 2020.
More details about the conference is also accessible through the website ourocean2020.pw.
“We are proud to continue the legacy of Our Ocean as host of the conference next year and believe Palau’s experience as an ocean nation and commitment to marine stewardship can inspire people and governments the world over to redouble our efforts and commitments as partners in protecting the ocean that sustains us all,” President Tommy Remengesau, Jr was quoted saying in a press statement.
In a statement, Palau’s Our Ocean 2020 organizing committee stated that they will “continue facilitate the global knowledge, partnerships and action required to halt the urgent decline of the Earth’s life force” bringing in the forefront the voices if the people from SIDS.
“It will also maintain the conference’s legacy of showing progress on previous commitments, empowering the voice of youth, and amplifying innovation and ocean actionable solutions,” the statement read.