The World Wildlife Fund (WWF), with support from the ICCF Group, hosted a series of panels at the Marc Chagall National Museum during the United Nations Ocean Conference on June 10, 2025.
Along with Parliamentarians from Colombia, Grenada, Indonesia, Mexico, Peru, Saint Lucia, and the United Kingdom (UK), the event brought together leaders from the government, private sector, philanthropy, academia, and civil society to exchange ideas and move forward shared ocean commitments. Three top priorities for discussion included finance and markets, global and local fisheries, and community-based 30x30 progress.
The first session featured two panels on A Nature-Positive Future for Coastal Tourism and was moderated by Lucy Holmes, WWF-US Senior Director of Ocean Markets & Finance, and Louise Heaps, WWF-UK Global Lead on Sustainable Blue Economy. Speakers from development banks and think tanks, multinational corporations, sustainable tourism groups and hospitality alliances, and government provided unique insights and showcased how coastal tourism sector leadership, solutions, and actions are necessary for achieving a nature-positive future for the oceans. The second session featured two panels on Consolidating a Sustainable Value Chain for Fisheries Resources and was moderated by Rita Sahyoun, WWF-France Marine and Fisheries Program Manager. Speakers from companies, institutions, task forces, and NGOs highlighted how they are advancing more transparent approaches to address both environmental and social issues in seafood supply chains.
The closing panel on Accelerating Progress Toward 30x30 Goals was moderated by Dr. Gabby Admadia, WWF-US Vice President, Seascapes and Sciences. WWF and other global leaders discussed best practices and successful mechanisms for integrating local knowledge, management, and leadership into effective place-based ocean conservation. Panelists included Keith Scholey, Co-Chief Executive Officer and Director of Silverback Films, Patricia Leon, Associate Director for Nature Conservation at the Bezos Earth Fund, Angelo Villagomez, Senior Fellow at the Center for American Progress, Tracy Khuzwayo, Future Leaders Initiative Manager at WILDTRUST, and Jonathan Kelsey, Director of the Bloomberg Ocean Fund. These leaders are working to advance implementation of the ocean-related aspects of the Global Biodiversity Framework, committing countries to protect and conserve at least 30% of the ocean by 2030.
Following the close of the panels, WWF hosted a high-level reception with remarks from Carter Roberts, President and CEO of WWF, Kirsten Schuijt, Director General of WWF International, and Honourable Johnny Briceño, Prime Minister of Belize. Throughout the evening, members of the ICCF Group International Parliamentary Delegation were able to meet with multisectoral leaders from around the world and exchange insights and national experiences in advancing ocean action.
Regional Headquarters