Business Forum on Ocean Policy and Planning

The World Ocean Council (WOC) will convene the Business Forum on Ocean Policy and Planning at the Roosevelt Hotel in New York, NY U.S.A on 29 – 30 September 2014. Designed for the Ocean Business Community (OBC), the Forum continues the World Ocean Council’s Business Forum Series and builds upon the successful WOC 2013 Sustainable Ocean Summit. The Forum will feature an optional field trip on 28 September to learn about coastal business response and recovery following Hurricane Sandy and how this is affecting policy and planning.

The overall theme of the 2014 WOC Business Forum is Industry Leadership in Ocean Governance and the Blue Economy. The Forum will catalyze informed, coordinated and proactive Ocean Business Community engagement in the ocean policy and planning efforts which will significantly impact future ocean economic activity. The World Ocean Council is committed to ensuring that ocean industries are well informed of the ocean policy and planning processes affecting their future operations and well equipped to make decisions on whether and how to most effectively engage in these developments.

Ocean policy and planning arenas important to ocean business include the development of marine spatial planning in the U.S., Europe and many other areas. International developments include the United Nations’ (UN) negotiations on an “Implementing Agreement” for the Law of the Sea, UN discussions on Biodiversity in Areas Beyond National Jurisdiction, the creation of a UN Sustainable Development Goal on the ocean, and the ongoing work of the Convention on Biological Diversity.

The WOC Business Forum is designed by and for the international Ocean Business Community. A limited number of spaces are available for representatives from non-Ocean Business Community organizations working with the private sector towards ocean policy and planning in support of responsible ocean economic activity.

We invite you to join other Ocean Business Community leaders in supporting the sustainable seas and ocean stewardship by attending and/or becoming a Sponsor of the WOC Business Forum. Sponsorship includes prominent recognition and is available at a wide range of price points to fit your company or organization’s budget and interests. The full range of sponsorship opportunities is detailed on the registration page above and HERE. While there are a limited number of sponsorships offered, you are encouraged to act now to secure your first choice.