A Kerry takeover
It’s hoped that Cork city will garner global headlines and its international profile will be enhanced in June when the former US Secretary of State John Kerry visits.
It’s been described as “terrific news for Cork” that he will be the keynote speaker at Ireland’s flagship blue economy conference, Our Ocean Wealth, at City Hall on 9-10 June.
It was announced yesterday that the determined environmentalist and former US presidential candidate will visit Ireland to share his insight on climate change and the action required to sustainably and effectively manage our oceans to ensure the health of the planet.
Kerry ran in the 2004 American presidential election but lost out to George W Bush and in 2008 he endorsed Barack Obama.
Director of Corporate & External Affairs at City Hall, Paul Moynihan told the Cork Independent: “It’s terrific news for Cork. June will be a hugely exciting time for the city.”
As a forerunner to the summit, SeaFest takes place from 7-9 June.
Mr Moynihan added: “Both Our Ocean Wealth and SeaFest provide a huge opportunity for us to promote ourselves and to showcase what we have to attract foreign investment.
“People would pay a lot of money for the type of marketing that these events will bring for the city.
“The international profile of the city will be greatly enhanced too,” said Mr Moynihan.
The Our Ocean Wealth conference will welcome more than 30 representatives from island states around the world to Cork this year, including senior political representatives from island nations in the Pacific, the Caribbean, and the Indian Ocean, as well as more than 500 national and international delegates.
An Tánaiste Simon Coveney said: “As an island nation, Ireland is committed to managing our ocean wealth in a sustainable and efficient way, and we have so much in common with island nations around the globe.”
An Tánaiste continued: “I am particularly delighted to welcome representatives from island nations to the Our Ocean Wealth Summit in Cork this year, and look forward to important and fruitful discussions on the balance required to manage our collective blue economies while safeguarding our most precious natural resources.”
Minister for Agriculture, Food & Marine, Michael Creed said: “The conference should provide a valuable contribution to the global debate on how to manage the ocean and protect the future of the small island nations of the world.”
With a particular focus on international cooperation, the Our Ocean Wealth summit will bring together a mix of national experts and policy makers with representatives from island nations.
Participants will discuss the challenges faced by island nations, share stories of island life and identity, connections to the ocean, historical links and new partnerships at the summit.