Ocean leaders, experts to participate in summit highlighting ocean biodiversity

On Jan. 23 in Washington, D.C., leaders and experts from across the nation will participate in the Summit on Ocean Biodiversity to amplify the importance of ocean, coastal and Great Lakes biodiversity. Participants will discuss solutions to protect and sustain the nation’s natural resources for the benefit of all Americans. 

The summit, organized by NOAA and the Smithsonian Institution, features leaders in science, policy, philanthropy, industry, tribal communities and conservation who will share their insights to advancing our understanding of ocean biodiversity. Their insights will foster collaborative action to conserve, restore and sustainably use the ocean’s living resources.

WHAT

Earth’s diverse life is the foundation of human health, prosperity and security. Solving the intertwined challenges of biodiversity loss, climate change and societal inequity will only succeed when leaders recognize and act on these linkages. Starting at the grass roots level and stretching across all sectors, today’s leaders must align their needs and efforts and make commitments towards sustaining a biodiverse planet. 

The Summit on Ocean Biodiversity will feature panel discussions focused on the intersection of ocean biodiversity with climate change, technology and finance, and will challenge ocean leaders to coordinate ideas, efforts and investments to advance a sustainable ocean ecosystem that supports thriving human communities.  

The summit will explore three themes through panel conversations with a diverse group of leaders:

• Biodiversity and Communities at the Frontlines of Climate Change
• Valuing Biodiversity for Conservation and the Blue Economy
• Exploration and Innovation to Sustain Ocean Biodiversity

NOAA leadership participating in the Summit include:

• Jainey Bavishi, Assistant Secretary of Commerce for Oceans and Atmosphere and Deputy NOAA Administrator
• Sarah Kapnick, Ph.D., NOAA Chief Scientist
• Janet Coit, Assistant Administrator for NOAA Fisheries
• Paul Scholz, Deputy Assistant Administrator, NOAA’s National Ocean Service

Remarks will also be provided by:

• David Applegate, Director, U.S. Geological Survey
• Shannon Estenoz, Assistant Secretary for Fish and Wildlife and Parks, Department of the Interior
• Jane Lubchenco, Deputy Director for Climate and Environment, White House Office of Science and Technology Policy
• Andrew Steer, President & CEO Bezos Earth Fund
• Ellen Stofan, Under Secretary for Science and Research at the Smithsonian
• Kirk Johnson, Sant Director of the Smithsonian’s National Museum of Natural History

The event agenda and complete list of speakers is available here offsite link.

WHEN

1-6 p.m. ET
Jan. 23, 2024

WHERE

Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History
Q?rius Theater, the Coralyn W. Whitney Science Center (ground floor)
10th Street and Constitution Avenue NW, Washington, D.C. 20560

MEDIA ACCESS

The summit’s presentations will be live-streamed on Youtube.

A limited number of journalists will be credentialed for on-site access on a first come, first serve basis. Contact Kate Silverstein at katherine.silverstein@noaa.gov and Benjamin Marcus at marcusba@si.edu to RSVP for on-site participation and requests for on-site interviews with Summit leaders.