Blue Economy Summit

On the morning of May 21, 2026, the Blue Economy Summit will be hosted in the Allianz Tower in Milan, bringing together global leaders and providing an opportunity for institutions, businesses, academia, and research to discuss the oceanʼs status and the urgent need to accelerate a regenerative Blue Economy.

The Blue Economy Summit conceived and promoted by One Ocean Foundation, brings together internationally renowned leaders from business, finance, academia, society, and government to discuss the urgent need to mobilize greater financial resources for the protection and restoration of Blue Natural Capital. Each year, the event engages hundreds of participants, including students and researchers, and addresses key topics such as biodiversity loss, technological innovation to tackle ocean-related challenges, and emerging opportunities in the Blue Economy.

08.45 – 09.30

Welcome and Registration

Moderator: Manuela Rafaiani, Journalist

09.30 – 09.40

Institutional Opening: The urgency of a transformative Blue Economy

Elena Eva Maria Grandi, Municipality of Milan

Riccardo Bonadeo, President, One Ocean Foundation

09.40 – 10.20

From Natural Capital to Climate Action: Unlocking Marine Nature-based Solutions

Minna Epps, IUCN

Rafael Sardà, Spanish CSIC

Jan Pachner, One Ocean Foundation

10.20 – 11.00

Ocean Protection, Blue Economy and Blue Finance: Drivers of global climate and biodiversity action

Sylvie Goulard, International Advisory Panel on Biodiversity Credits

Giorgio Ricci Maccarini, Cluster BIG

Torsten Thiele, ORRAA, Global Ocean Trust

11.00 – 11.10

Greetings and brief remarks

Giacomo Campora, Allianz S.p.A.

11.10 – 11.25

Keynote speech from Ralph Chami

From planetary tipping points to economic turning point

Ralph Chami, Blue Green Future

11.25 - 11.45

Fireside chat with Paul Rose

Stories and insights from the Expedition Leader of the National Geographic Pristine Seas expeditions

Paul Rose, Explorer, TV Presenter, Public Speaker

11.45 – 12.35

The role of the private sector in driving a regenerative Blue Economy

Stefano Pogutz, SDA Bocconi

Filippo Bettini, Pirelli, UN Global Compact Network Italy

Mirella Vitale, ROCKWOOL Group

Elisa Zambito Marsala, Intesa Sanpaolo

Mario Ferraro, Smeralda Holding

Ambra Cozzi, One Ocean Foundation

12.35 – 13.10

Sustainable food systems: The ocean's strategic role

Sara Roversi, Future Food Institute

Erik Bruun Bindslev, MERIKA

Luciano Pirovano, Bolton Food

13.10 – 13.20

Fireside chat with Minna Epps

What the High Seas Treaty means for ocean protection: an expert view

Minna Epps, IUCN and BBNJ High Ambition Coalition Secretariat

13.20

Conclusions and final remarks

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