Acting Assistant Secretary of State for Oceans and International Environmental and Scientific Affairs Jennifer R. Littlejohn will lead the U.S. delegation of senior officials from eight Departments, Agencies, and Organizations to the Ninth Our Ocean Conference (OOC), hosted by Greece in Athens April 15-17, to show strong U.S. support for sustainable ocean ecosystems and highlight the need for action around the globe to protect and safeguard our ocean.
The U.S. delegation includes:
- White House Office of Science and Technology Policy Deputy Director for Climate and Environment Jane Lubchenco
- Principal Deputy Special Envoy for Climate Sue Biniaz
- Senior Coordinator for Atlantic Cooperation Ambassador Jessye Lapenn
- U.S. Ambassador to Greece George J. Tsunis
- Secretary of the Navy Carlos Del Toro
- Deputy Assistant Secretary for Ocean, Fisheries and Polar Affairs Mahlet Mesfin
- Deputy NOAA Administrator Jainey Bavishi and Deputy Assistant Secretaries Nicole LeBoeuf, Kelly Kryc, and Susan Ruffo
- USAID Assistant Administrator Michael Schiffer and Chief Climate Officer and Deputy Assistant Administrator Gillian Caldwell
- U.S. Coast Guard Assistant Commandant for Response Policy Rear Admiral Jo-Ann Burdian
- Scientific and policy experts from the Smithsonian Institution and the Department of Labor.
Growing scientific evidence demonstrates that enhanced ocean conservation can deliver lasting benefits to biodiversity, climate mitigation, coastal adaptation and resilience, and food security. The OOC is a critical step in our global efforts to conserve or protect 30 percent of the global ocean by 2030 – with benefits for people, climate, and biodiversity. U.S. delegation members will discuss efforts to advance marine conservation and the sustainable blue economy, combat plastic pollution, and support ocean solutions to the climate crisis. They will engage youth leaders from around the world on ocean conservation and sustainable use through the OOC Youth Leadership Summit, co-hosted by Greece and the Sustainable Ocean Alliance.
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Official news published at https://www.state.gov/u-s-delegation-to-the-ninth-our-ocean-conference/
