During a two-day visit to New York City, Peace Boat welcomed over 400 guests onboard for the event entitled “Sailing for Blue Innovation and the SDGS Celebration”,highlighting UN World Oceans Day, partnerships for the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), and innovative approaches to ocean and climate action. The event was held in partnership with the United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs (UN DESA), the UN Office of the High Representative for the Least Developed Countries, Landlocked Developing Countries and Small Island Developing States (UN-OHRLLS) and partners working to find innovative solutions to accelerate ocean and climate action. Attendees included representatives of the UN, civil society organizations, governments and the private sector.
The event began with a Blue EconomyHigh-Level Networking Reception promoting fiscal ventures to support ocean conservation. Participating organizations included the Global Fund for Coral Reefs, Parley for the Oceans, the Collaborative Fund, Insider Expeditions, Only One, Seabed 2030 Campaign, and presentations focused on Females Financing the Future for a Blue Economy, Peace Boat’s Ecoship, Newlight, and the UN Division for Ocean Affairs and the Law of the Sea.
Ocean and SDGs themed exhibits were held throughout the event, which enhanced the interactive experience for attendees.
Exhibitors included:
● Marcia Annenberg from the Biophilia – In Excelsis exhibit
● Gaelin Rosenwaks – book signing and photo exhibit
● Angela del Sol – Indigenous art work and Fair trade fashion
● Amy Heemsoth from the Science Without Borders® Challenge – by the Khaled bin Sultan Living Oceans Foundation
● Shannen Henry – the Kaylia Group / CSFDG, UN Fashion and Lifestyle Network
● Peace Boat US – exhibit for the UN Ocean Decade
● Maku Lopez – Artwork for the Ocean
● Rocio Segura – founder of VALSE NYC
● Sean and Joe Leone – the co-founders and brothers behind No One’s Arc
The main program began with live acoustic music by Serena Grace of Tribute to the Ocean. Mr. Vladimir Jares, Director of the Division for Ocean Affairs and the Law of the Sea Office of Legal Affairs, gave the keynote address about the UN Ocean Decade. He explained that the UN Ocean Decade provides a convening framework for diverse sectors to co-design and co-deliver scientific knowledge and partnerships needed to achieve a better understanding of the ocean system, and deliver science-based solutions to achieve the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.
Peace Boat Founder and Director, Yoshioka Tatsuya, passionately discussed creating a more sustainable and peaceful future for all, which included a presentation of the Peace Boat’s Ecoship project. H.E. Ambassador Walton A. Webson – Permanent Representative of Antigua and Barbuda to the United Nations discussed the outcomes of the recently held, 4th International Conference on Small Island Developing States (SIDS4).
Michael Sheldrick, the Co-Founder of Global Citizen, presented a motivating discussion of multilateral partnerships for SIDS, Debt Relief, and Climate Finance. Global Citizen is recognized as an international education and advocacy organization that seeks to catalyze the movement to end extreme poverty and promote social justice and equity through the lens of intersectionality.
Monique Calderon, a Peace Boat US Youth for SDGs scholar from St. Lucia shared her experience onboard the Peace Boat and discussed the UN Ocean Decade. She also shared her dedication to empowering youth for ocean and climate action, and hopes to inspire many more youth to join in upcoming Youth for the SDGs voyages.
In between the presentations, the event included a special ocean-focused musical performance titled, “MOTHER & WATER: A Sonic Invocation with DREEEMY,” a musical group that inspires action through music.
The focus of the last portion of the programming was on the theme of, “Disarmament for Development.” Lein Soltan, from UNRWA USA, made a call for humanitarian support to combat hunger in Gaza. Ms. Slotan gave an impassioned presentation on the need for support for food for children in Gaza who are currently suffering from malnutrition due to the ongoing conflict in the region. The program concluded with a special address from survivors of the atomic bombing of Hiroshima and Nagasaki, as well as a testimony from Mary Dickson, a Downwinder from Utah, whose community survived the effects of repeated nuclear testing. Their testimonies gave the audience condensed presentations of personal stories that they would explore the following day in an event organized with the United Nations Office for Disarmament Affairs. Finally, the evening concluded with an SDGs Partnership Reception on the top deck of the ship where the participants gathered for music and networking.