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The Ocean Race Summits – an international series of events held by The Ocean Race – aim to bring together leaders from sport, business, politics and science to advance efforts to restore ocean health

On 20 September, this international gathering will be held for the first time in Italy, in Genoa, bringing together representatives from the EU, the Italian government, regional, national and international companies, academics, the sailing industry and NGOs to share their latest insights into the scale of the problem, and provide inspiring examples of how companies can be part of the solution to the plastics crisis. 

The main purpose of this summit is to examine through various interventions the impact of plastic pollution on the Mediterranean Sea, to present the future trends that companies can adopt to no longer depend on plastic and thus move towards a circular approach today and to show the role of institutions and the financial sector on the subject. Also, the latest examples of large-scale adaptable solutions, which could be applied to the entire value chain of companies and their strategies to change consumer behaviour, will be presented at conferences. 

Athletes will also take part in the exchanges, such as Olympic sailor Francesca Clapcich - who sailed on Turn the Tide on Plastic during the last edition of the race - and American Mark Towill - who sailed on Vestas 11th Hour Racing - to witness the effects of plastic on our oceans and reveal the efforts that our sport is making to reduce its environmental impact.

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COMPANIES AT THE HEART OF THE EVENT 

Anne-Cécile Turner, Director of the Sustainable Development Programme for The Ocean Race said: "This first Ocean Race Summit in Genoa will see leading speakers present their innovations and unveil announcements that will have a positive impact on the heart of the race: the marine environment. 

By spreading our message our objective is to challenge the status quo, inspire, and use concrete examples of how an innovative approach can make a real difference for companies, while reducing their impact on the environment.

Just as professional sailors must demonstrate determination and team spirit when they take part in our round the world race, those we reach through our Ocean Race Summits need to show the same qualities if we want to succeed collectively. »

For these summits, a new concept of innovative workshops has been added to the programme. These are intended to encourage industry leaders and experts to find new ways to work on a range of issues linking their value chains to plastic pollution. The Genoa Summit chose to address two main topics related to the Italian region that will be "sustainable fashion" and "responsible boat building". 

 

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NAVIGATE WITH SENSE 

The Ocean Race Summits are a key element of the programme launched by the prestigious round the world race, in collaboration with the first partner of the 11th Hour Racing race and supported by the official partner Bluewater which integrates sustainable development through the race. 

In addition to the summits, The Ocean Race is leading a cutting-edge scientific programme, vital to advancing the understanding of the health of the oceans, which the race continues to bring to life this summer via The Ocean Race's European Tower; a series of pro-am events around the old continent. The participants in the race wish to continue to show companies that they can implement what they learn in order to meet the Sustainable Development Goals (SDOs) set by the United Nations.

Jeremy Pochman, co-founder & CEO of 11th Hour Racing added: "No matter where and how you live, you depend on the oceans. They provide us with most of the oxygen we breathe, the fish we eat, and help us regulate our climate. But our ever-increasing demands are jeopardizing our oceans. »

Also, The Ocean Summits would like to offer an opportunity to bring together the power of business, sport and government actors to engage in the critical work that needs to be done to reduce marine pollution and take new measures to protect our oceans and ecosystems. Five Ocean Race Summits will take place before the next start of the race planned in Alicante in Autumn 2021, with at least five more scheduled during the race.  

To find out more, register to attend for free or sign up for the interactive livestream experience visit: https://bit.ly/2Y3HFZa