Paul Gauguin hosts inaugural Blue Climate Summit

The Summit is co-convened by Prince Albert II of Monaca, President Edouard Fritch of French Polynesia and others, and focuses on accelerating projects that target six missions: climate change mitigation, ocean protection, CO2 removal, healthy blue communities, sustainable tourism and improved understanding of the oceans.

More than 250 scientists, innovators, policy-makers, business and financial experts, community leaders and environmental and youth activists will convene to work on ocean and climate strategies. 

The Blue Climate Initiative was born in French Polynesia and is now a flagship program of the United Nations Decade of Ocean Science for Sustainable Development. 

Urgent time

'There has never been a more important or urgent time for the world to address ocean protection and climate change. With tipping points rapidly approaching, we can’t afford to wait. Rather than just talking about problems, the Blue Climate Summit is focused on action and solutions,' said Stan Rowland, CEO of Blue Climate Initiative.

Hervé Gastinel, CEO of Ponant, the owner of Paul Gauguin Cruises, expressed pride that Paul Gauguin was selected as the host venue.

'A natural fit' with Ponant

'The partnership with the Climate Summit is a natural fit as we also have ambitious objectives to protect the ocean and the communities where our ships visit,' he said. Gastinel also reaffirmed Ponant's commitment to promoting a sustainable and responsible tourism.

The event includes a session focused on sustainability in the travel industry. The discussion will be moderated by Ian Randall, science reporter for the UK-based Express Newspapers, and speakers include Charles Gravatte, general secretary at Ponant, and Mathieu Bechonnet, managing director of Air Tahiti Nui.  

The full program is here.