Hosted by the Division for Ocean Affairs and the Law of the Sea (DOALOS), and supported by Blancpain, the festive gathering took place on June 8, 2017 in the Visitor’s Lobby of the UN general assembly building.
June 8th marks World Oceans Day, celebrated unofficially since it was originally proposed in 1992 at the Earth Summit, and officially recognized by the United Nations since 2008. On this day each year, the world celebrates the ocean, its importance in our lives, and how we can protect it. As part of the celebration, the Office of Legal Affairs, Division for Ocean Affairs and the Law of the Sea organizes and hosts a reception at the United Nations Headquarters in New York City. As has become the tradition, on the evening of World Oceans Day, the Empire State Building is lit blue.
This year’s theme was “Our oceans, our future” and coincided with the high-level Ocean Conference that took place from June 5-9. The World Oceans Day reception was attended by more than 300 guests, including Heads of State, Ministers, Ambassadors and the Crown Princess of Sweden.
Mr. David Gely, Blancpain US Brand Manager discussed the brand’s connection with the ocean and the brand values that make a perfect fit with ocean protection, “At Blancpain, we strongly believe that the results of the Blancpain Ocean Commitment projects are obtained thanks to three fundamental principles embedded in the Blancpain DNA: Optimism, Long-Term Vision, and Innovation.”
Since 2014, the brand’s efforts in the area of ocean protection and preservation have been concerted under the Blancpain Ocean Commitment label. Since then, Blancpain has co-financed ten major scientific expeditions, celebrated its contribution to doubling the surface of marine protected areas around the world, and presented several award-winning documentary films, exhibitions and publications.
Blancpain sponsored the 2017 Ocean Conference Photo Exhibit, on display at the United Nations Headquarters until June 30, 2017 and themed “Save our Oceans: Oceans Ecosystems.”
Special guests, Sir Richard Branson and Alexandra Richards, Project Ambassador and daughter of famous rock musician Keith Richards, presented the President of the General Assembly with a small rendition of Branson’s wave sculpture which he created for the La Mer Wave Walk. The Wave Walk includes fifty wave sculptures created by the world’s most influential artists and culture-makers which are on display in various locations throughout New York City during the months around World Oceans Day.
