2017 has been a decisive year for the ocean. In June, the United Nations held its first conference on the ocean to discuss the implementation of an ocean-specific sustainable development goal - SDG14, Life Below Water. At the 4th Our Ocean conference, in Malta, governments, businesses, and NGOs announced 437 tangible and measurable commitments related to an array of ocean issues such as marine protected areas (MPAs), sustainable fisheries, climate change, pollution, maritime security, and sustainable blue growth.

The World Ocean Summit 2018, held at Riviera Maya, Mexico, 7-9 March, will bring together political leaders and policymakers, heads of global business, scientists, NGOs, including Project AWARE, and multilateral for a frank and future-oriented discussion on how to turn these pledges into reality.

If 2017 was the year of big promises, 2018 must be about delivery. 

Since 2012, the World Ocean Summit has sought to focus the sometimes divergent perspectives of business, government and civil society on how we use our troubled seas. In 2018 the event seeks to deepen engagement with the private sector, particularly private capital's involvement with the ocean. The vision is an ocean in robust health and with a vital economy; the goal: accelerate the transition to sustainable use of the ocean.

Project AWARE® will join more than 450 global leaders from government, industry, multilateral organizations, the scientific community and civil society for a constructive and solution-focused dialogue. Attendees will be challenged to bring a fresh perspective to key areas including fisheries, ocean plastics, governance, policy, and the application of new technologies to improve our oceans’ health while boosting its economy.

The Economist is inviting youth leaders to earn a place at the summit by sharing their commitment to ocean sustainability in a 60-second video. Entries should be submitted to Sustainable Ocean Alliance (SOA) using the application form provided and posted on Instagram using the competition hashtag #oceanyouthleaders #OceanSummit.

Join us at the World Ocean Summit - 20% off on tickets with code PROJECT20 - Visit the World Ocean Summit website to register or follow the #OceanSummit conversation online.

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