United Nations Global Compact launches network to accelerate business solutions geared towards a healthy and productive ocean
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United States of America
The Ocean Accelerator Network will drive innovation and progress on ocean sustainability.
UNITED NATIONS, New York, 8 June 2019 — In celebration of World Oceans Day, the United Nations Global Compact today launched the Ocean Accelerator Network, a new collaborative platform for business, academia and start-up accelerators to enhance the development of business solutions geared towards a healthy and productive ocean.
“A new awareness is growing amongst ocean industries of the beneficial ripple effect of a protected and sustainably managed ocean,” says Lise Kingo, CEO & Executive Director of the UN Global Compact. “Ensuring a healthy marine environment is not only necessary for many ocean companies to continue to operate in the long-term — innovating and investing in new ocean solutions also provides a significant business opportunity.”
The Ocean Accelerator Network conducted its first “Innovathon” in the coastal town of Cascais in Portugal, gathering 120 students to develop solutions to tackle sustainability challenges.
Facilitated by the UN Global Compact under the Action Platform for Sustainable Ocean Business, the Ocean Accelerator Network will drive innovation and progress on ocean sustainability together with 40 companies. As a key activity, participating companies will work with accelerators and academia to provide mentorship for students and young entrepreneurs, with the goal of mobilizing them to develop expertise and capacity to answer to the needs of a sustainable blue economy that will help preserve the marine environment.
The Network today conducted its first “Innovathon” in the coastal town of Cascais in Portugal, gathering 120 students from across Portugal to spend 24 hours developing solutions to tackle sustainability challenges related to plastic in the ocean, sustainable shipping, aquaculture and offshore energy. The work will culminate in the ‘Global Ocean Innovathon’ during the second UN Ocean Conference to be held in Portugal in June 2020.
About the United Nations Global Compact
As a special initiative of the UN Secretary-General, the United Nations Global Compact works with companies everywhere to align their operations and strategies with ten universal principles in the areas of human rights, labour, environment and anti-corruption. Launched in 2000, the UN Global Compact guides and supports the global business community in advancing UN goals and values through responsible corporate practices. With more than 9,500 companies and 3,000 non-business signatories based in over 160 countries, and 70 Local Networks, it is the largest corporate sustainability initiative in the world.
For more information, follow @globalcompact on social media and visit our website at www.unglobalcompact.org.
Contact:
UN Global Compact
Leila Puutio
Manager, Communications
Tel: +1 646-884-7523
Email: media@unglobalcompact.org