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THE
CONTEXT

PHILANTHROPISTS LAY
THEIR CARDS ON THE TABLE According to the UNEP, conserving
and protecting 30% of the ocean will
HSH Prince Albert II of Monaco set the tone for the cost between 9 and 12 billion dollars per
event in his call for action by stressing the vital role year – 9 to 10 times more than current
of ocean conservation in safeguarding the well- expenditure on marine protected areas
being of present and future generations. He hailed worldwide. In this context, environmental
the important contribution of philanthropy to marine philanthropy can act as a catalyst, not
conservation and welcomed the IUCN’s newest only in financial terms but by fostering
Patron of Nature, eminent Chilean conservationist partnerships that lead to national and
Francisca Cortés Solari. international agreements on climate
Next, Enric Sala, renowned National Geographic change and the environment, bringing
Society Explorer-in-Residence, provided valuable us closer to achieving the targets set for
insight on the urgency of creating marine protected protecting land and sea.
areas: “These sanctuaries provide a vital refuge for
marine life to flourish and ecosystems to recover”,
he commented, echoing the views of many Abdallah Mokssit, Secretary of the IPCC, highlighted
environmentalists around the world. the crucial link between science and policy in
Throughout the event, panellists engaged in detailed developing effective conservation strategies: “It is
discussions about the challenges and opportunities important to have evidence-based decision-making
facing philanthropic organisations and the private and interdisciplinary cooperation to create global
sector in their efforts to advance marine conservation. solutions to complex environmental challenges”.
“Environmental philanthropy is crucial for meeting Daniela Picco, Executive Director of the MSC
marine conservation goals, not only in financial terms Foundation, shared her views on the power of
but for its ability to connect different worlds and take networks and partnerships to accelerate progress
risks that other sectors cannot”, explained Francisca towards climate and environmental agreements.
Cortés Solari, Executive President of Philanthropy Supporting local conservation initiatives of national
Cortés Solari and the MERI Foundation, illustrating importance and overcoming obstacles play a leading
the transformative potential of environmental role in guaranteeing sustainable, long-term action.
philanthropy. She argued that catalysing change “Business interest in sustainability and the potential of
requires strategic partnerships and innovative financial innovation can bring about positive change”,
approaches that can maximise impact and help commented Ramzi Issa, pioneering architect of the
achieve conservation targets. Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) debt-
swap market at UBS, offering a unique perspective on
the private sector’s role in promoting environmental
COLLABORATIVE, management.
COMPREHENSIVE APPROACHES “Philanthropy is indispensable for fostering scalable
solutions and implementing conservation measures
Mahir Aliyev, Regional Coordinator of the United more swiftly”, said Susana Salvador, Executive
Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), drew Secretary at ACCOBAMS.
attention to the need for the different sectors to work
together to tackle the triple planetary crisis of climate
change, biodiversity loss and pollution. He described
practical ways to leverage the unique strengths of
philanthropy, government agencies, businesses and
civil society to achieve significant progress.