AIVP participated in the Ocean Decade Conference 2024, which took place in Barcelona (Spain) between the 10th and 12th of April, with satellite events taking place between the 8th and the 12th of April. The conference was focused on the thematic “delivering the science we need for the ocean we want”. It brought the global Ocean Decade community together to discuss various challenges, including climate change, food security, sustainable blue economy, and sustainable management of biodiversity. During the conference, the AIVP had the chance to discuss with some of our members (e.g. Port and City of Barcelona and ETT) and to network with fellow international organizations and NGOs.
Caya Dhuique-Hein, project leader on Green Transition and the Agenda 2030 by AIVP, actively participated in the Conference and its satellite events. She spoke during the “Cities with the Ocean – Ocean science for the sustainable development of coastal cities and ports” session, hosted by UNESCO and IOC, which took place on the 8th of April. The Cities with the Ocean platform will serve as a hub for connecting ocean science with urban coastal territories, especially port cities. The platform aims to facilitate the co-design of ocean science for the sustainable development of coastal urban areas. Speaking alongside of Emma Cobos from the Port of Barcelona and Yolanda Molares Montero from the FAO, Caya highlighted the importance of including diverse port city stakeholders in the discussion. These actors are key in spreading ocean literacy and creating, supporting, and implementing ocean science and the solutions that stem from it. Cities with the Ocean is a platform the AIVP has been involved in the creation of since the beginning of its establishment in 2023.
Caya also acted as a conversation starter in the satellite event hosted by the World Ocean Council titled “Blue Glue: Ports and Harbors Connecting to Coastal Resilience and Community Engagement. She initiated the conversation regarding the role of ports, cities, and port city stakeholders in strengthening the relationship between these actors and the community to jointly develop the blue economy and education/training opportunities. Other conversation starters included the Port of Barcelona, the OECD – OCDE, and NOAA: National Oceanic & Atmospheric Administration. The participants then split into four groups to discuss different sustainable solutions to foster relations between cities, regions & port ecosystems in important fields such as education, infrastructure, economy, community, and governance.
