Over the course of three days, the 5th World Ocean Summit invited Project AWARE and experts from around the world to evaluate strategies and devise new solutions to urgent threats facing the ocean. More than 70 world leaders spoke at The Economist event including Enrique Peña-Nieto, the President of Mexico; Guðni Th. Jóhannesson, the President of Iceland as well as members of businesses and organizations.

Throughout the event, Project AWARE® joined a number of organizations to discuss solution-focused initiatives and news. We proudly represented the voice of the global dive community and dive leaders, in particular, putting ocean conservation at the heart of their business. We highlighted our United Nations Voluntary commitments and announced a significant milestone: almost 1 million pieces of trash removed and reported by Dive Against Debris® volunteer divers. The event ended with our commitment to collect and remove 1 million more by 2020 and many other organizations committing to deliver on their promises to the ocean. The Economist also announced that Abu Dhabi will host the World Ocean Summit in 2019.

As we reflect on the many topics discussed during the summit, we share what people posted on social media to tell a compelling story of passion, challenges, collaboration, inspiration and action for the ocean.