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48 | INNOVATIONS

The ocean, the new

DNA of innovation

At the crossroads of entrepreneurship, innovation and
investment, this high-level meeting showcases cutting-edge
technologies and pioneering solutions for the blue economy.

Offering a glimpse into a new world, the fourth edition OCEAN INNOVATIONS: BLUE
of the Ocean Innovators Platform led by the Prince IDEAS FOR AN AMBITIOUS
Albert II of Monaco Foundation was one of the FUTURE
highlights of Monaco Ocean Week 2023. On the
afternoon of 21 March, at the Monaco Yacht Club, During the first half-day, the panellists discussed the
Olivier Wenden, Vice-President and CEO of the general drive behind ocean innovations in the face of
Prince Albert II of Monaco Foundation opened this the major challenges threatening aquatic life. The is-
now unmissable event by declaring that "to achieve sues of the relationship between the private sector
SDG 14 [Life Under Water] by the end of the decade, and governments, the responsibility of investors, the
as well as the objectives of the Global Biodiversity question of scaling up innovations, the redefinition of
Framework, we need the private sector to develop the link between competition and collaboration, and
and speed up existing solutions to implement the ne- the importance of regulation all generated construc-
cessary changes and finally launch the sustainable tive debate. Strong ideas, such as the redefinition of
blue economy that we are all calling for." Alongside progress, were put forward: "In the past, progress
him, Gérald Mathieu, Head of Private Banking Europe was measured in terms of economic values and so-
and Middle East and Managing Director of Barclays cial benefits; today, anything that doesn't take the
Monaco, points out that "the global challenges we climate into account is no longer progress", says
have faced in recent years underline the importance Alexis Grosskopf, Director of Ocean Hub Africa, and
of a healthy, functional and sustainable planet." Sta- member of the 1000 Ocean Startups Steering Com-
ting that "environmental and social issues have beco- mittee. Discussing the issue of regulation on an in-
me an integral part of Barclays' DNA", he summed ternational scale, Ben Lesage, global coordinator for
up the aim of these two days dedicated to innova- the Sustainable Ocean Alliance, stresses that it is "a
tion: "To come together to encourage lively debate, powerful tool, even if being able to innovate means
discussion and action around the important issue of you have to break boundaries."
protecting and regenerating the world's oceans."