Barcelona to host WOC headquarters, 2022 Sustainable Ocean Summit and the first Blue Finance Summit

The World Ocean Council (WOC), City of Barcelona and Port of Barcelona are partnering to develop the leading global hub for the Blue Economy – and this will now include the HQ for WOC, the global Blue Economy Business and Investment Organization.

WOC’s presence, events and activities will strengthen and complement the Barcelona city and port Blue Economy leadership commitment and efforts. To celebrate this new partnership, Barcelona will host the WOC the Sustainable Ocean Summit (SOS) October 17-18 and the inaugural global Blue Finance Summit (BlueFIN) October 19.

Anna Majó, Innovation Director from Barcelona Activa and the leader of the Blue Economy strategy in the city, explains that “Barcelona continues to add good news to the momentum of the Blue Economy and makes a leap that not only reaffirms the role of the city as a capital of the Blue Economy with a Mediterranean projection, but it positions the city globally: the successful celebration of the SeaFood Global Expo for the first time in the city this April 2022, the announcement of the future celebration of the America's Cup in 2024, and the installation of the WOC's global headquarters, as well as its landmark events, are good examples. With the impetus of the Blue Economy, Barcelona will continue to promote innovation and sustainability linked to the maritime economy, creating new economic opportunities, talent and employment for this seaside city that is Barcelona. Barcelona is heading for the Blue Economy and we hope to have a lot of wind in our sails!.”

Santiago Garcia-Milà, Deputy General Manager of Innovation and Business Strategy of the Port of Barcelona and immediate past President of International Association of Ports and Harbours (IAPH) during 2015-2021, expresses his excitement and encourages the entire Port Community (more than 500 companies) to take advantage of this partnership to boost Blue Economy initiatives. “Our new Innovation Plan sets up very ambitious goals in terms of social and environmental sustainability for the Port of Barcelona. Collaboration and alliances are key. We believe the World Ocean Council headquarters at the Port area will boost cooperation within the Blue Economy ecosystem, being the Port area its epicenter”, Garcia-Milà says.

WOC Founding President and CEO, Paul Holthus, states, “We are excited and honored to be a part of Barcelona’s vision to develop the leading global Blue Economy center by hosting the WOC in this vibrant global port city. Barcelona will be the place where industry, investors and innovators meet and work to create leadership, collaboration, and action in support of a healthy ocean and Corporate Ocean Responsibility.”

Since 2010, the WOC Sustainable Ocean Summit (SOS) has been the only global, multi-industry gathering developed by and for the business and investment community with a focus on ocean sustainable development.  The SOS 2019, with its theme of “Investing in Ocean Futures: Finance and Innovation for the Blue Economy” is the most comprehensive global Blue Finance event organized to date.

The SOS 2019 gave rise to the upcoming 1st Global Blue Finance Summit (BlueFIN), which will be launched in Barcelona in October. The SOS and BlueFIN will continue to be held in key locations around the world but will return their new “home port” in Barcelona every 2-3 years.