Protecting Our Ocean Heritage

Thu 23 April at 5pm
Talks
Books & Ideas
Earth Month 2026: Cultures of Action

Join us for two insightful presentations on the protection of the oceans and the ecosystem with Olivier Poivre d’Arvor — Special Envoy of the President of the French Republic for the United Nations Ocean Conference and Ambassador for the Poles and Oceans — and Harriet Harden-Davies — Director of the Nippon Foundation–University of Edinburgh Ocean Voices Programme.

 

Presentation with Olivier Poivre d’Arvor

The oceans and the ecosystem services they provide are under serious threat. The causes have been identified for decades : overfishing, marine pollution, plastic, climate change and its consequences ocean warming or acidification. All in all the oceans are in a bad state now. Humankind has clearly failed to sustainably use the marine natural capital and to ensure that the oceans can continue to provide endlessly their ecosystem services.

Nevertheless, the recognition and correct assessment of individual threats is a precondition for future sustainable ocean use. Some discussions and initiatives are existing at the international level for preventing the situation of oceans and seas to be worse. What are these initiatives and what do the States for supporting the long-term sustainability of the seas? The preservation of the oceans must be the global top priority and raising our awareness.

 

Presentation with Harriet Harden-Davies

In 2023, the United Nations took a historic step forward by adopting the BBNJ Agreement—a landmark treaty designed to protect life in the vast, shared spaces of our ocean. Covering both the high seas and the deep seabed, this agreement strengthens the global framework for conserving and sustainably using marine biodiversity beyond national borders, where ecosystems are under increasing pressure.

But adoption is only the beginning. How can this ambitious agreement be turned into real-world impact? What challenges lie ahead, and what solutions are within reach—especially when it comes to building the capacity needed to implement it effectively across the globe?

 

  • Language: In English
  • Price: Free event
  • Duration: 2h
  • More information: Doors open 15 minutes before the event

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Ambassador Olivier Poivre d'Arvor is a diplomat, cultural official, maritime specialist, and author.

Founder and president of « Marathon des mots » in 2005, he was appointed the Director of Radio France Culture in the summer of 2010 until September 2015. He was named Ambassador for France’s Cultural Attractiveness. He then held the post of Ambassador of France to Tunisia (2016-2020). He was appointed Ambassador for the Poles and Maritime Issues in December 2020.

A specialist in maritime and environmental issues, he has been President of the National Navy Museum since 2014 and founded the Saison Bleue (an association promoting the sustainable blue economy, particularly in the Mediterranean region), and the Forum Mondial de la Mer in Bizerte, with Pascal Lamy.

Novelist, biographer and essayist, Olivier Poivre d’Arvor has published many works.


Harriet Harden-Davies is the Director of the Nippon Foundation-University of Edinburgh Ocean Voices Programme. Her research interests lie at the intersection of ocean law and science, including international ocean governance and equity, marine conservation and sustainable development, capacity building and ocean stewardship. Harriet co-founded the Early Career Ocean Professional Programme under the UN Ocean Decade and is a member of the UNESCO-IOC Group of Experts on Capacity Development. Her PhD and Postdoctoral research focused on the development of a new UN treaty for marine biodiversity beyond national jurisdiction.

She is co-lead of the Deep Ocean Stewardship Initiative and is a member of the Editorial Board for Marine Policy, and a Deputy Director of the Nippon Foundation Ocean Nexus Centre. 

 
London