Oceano Azul Foundation and Calouste Gulbenkian Foundation united for the ocean
This morning, the Oceano Azul Foundation and the Calouste Gulbenkian Foundation signed a cooperation undertaking intended to promote the sustainable development of the sea. This agreement is aimed at concerted action to enhance the value of the natural marine capital, in particular through the promotion of a new blue economy and the promotion of a society committed to ocean conservation.
The signing ceremony was attended by the Minister for the Sea, Ana Paula Vitorino, the Chairman of the Oceano Azul Foundation, José Soares dos Santos, the President of the Calouste Gulbenkian Foundation, Isabel Mota, as well as the CEO of the Oceano Azul Foundation, Tiago Pitta e Cunha and the Trustee of the Calouste Gulbenkian Foundation, Pedro Norton.
The Blue Bio Value programme, the first initiative under this agreement to be implemented already in 2018, was also announced. This project, which involves joint investment of one million euros over three years, aims to create an international programme for the acceleration of projects and start-ups associated with the blue bioeconomy. This initiative aims to attract projects and ideas and to transform them into business opportunities throughout the value chain of marine bio-resources, including biotechnology, the solution for which is the development of sustainable products or services.
The Oceano Azul Foundation and the Calouste Gulbenkian Foundation will thus unite their efforts to help Portugal become an innovative major international hub for the development of the marine bioeconomy, promoting a healthier use of the ocean.
This undertaking is an unmistakable sign, from the two institutions, of the importance of collaboration between foundations in order to implement initiatives that promote changes in society and the planet.
About the Oceano Azul Foundation
The Foundation owes its origins to the belief that, in times of profound change, it is necessary to change behaviour in order to ensure the coexistence of human development and protection of the oceans. It was thus set up in 2017, stemming from a desire to once again bring Portugal closer to the sea and to help the country develop a blue generation and to position itself as a leader in ocean-related issues.
The cornerstones of the activities of the Oceano Azul Foundation are Education and Literacy, Conservation and Empowerment, under the rallying cry of “From the Ocean’s Point of View”.
About the Calouste Gulbenkian Foundation
Established in 1956 as a private Portuguese foundation for the whole of humanity, it has sought to foster knowledge and raise the quality of life of persons through the arts, beneficence, science and education. Over the next five years, the Foundation’s activities will primarily focus on Social Cohesion and Integration, Sustainability and Knowledge.
Set up by the last will and testament of Calouste Sarkis Gulbenkian, the Foundation is of perpetual duration and undertakes its activities structured around its headquarters in Lisbon (Portugal) and its delegations in Paris (France) and London (United Kingdom).
Know more about Taking Care of the ocean for the planet_ Blue Bio Value
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