Paul Ricard Oceanography Institute, alongside world deciders at the first United Nations Ocean Conference

Paul Ricard Oceanography Institute, alongside world deciders at the first United Nations Ocean Conference

Paul Ricard Oceanography Institute was present at the first United Nations Ocean Conference, represented by its president Patricia Ricard. For the first time, this historical meeting held from June 5 to June 9 gathered UN countries, representatives of the largest international institutions and organizations, and representatives of the civil society from 200 countries around a common cause. 'The ocean has never been so threatened,' said the new UN Secretary- General, Antonio Guterres, in his inaugural speech.

Paul Ricard Oceanography Institute played an active role in this event thanks to the presence of its president, Patricia Ricard, member of the French delegation at the Conference and spokesperson of the Océan-Climat platform. Françoise Gaill, Institute manager, Research Director emeritus at the French National Scientific Research Center (CNRS), and director of Océan-Climat platform's Scientific Committee, reminded how important it is to develop research and enhance scientific knowledge on Climate-Ocean-Biodiversity interactions, which have a large impact on the Ocean's major ecosystems.

Outside the Conference, Patricia Ricard spoke before New York Explorer Club members about 'Ocean Philanthropy' on Monday morning to remind about the major role corporate scientific patronage plays in Ocean knowledge and protection. Alongside other renowned personalities committed to the Ocean cause, she also participated at a side event held by Morocco, recent host of COP 22, on June 6. 'We must accelerate our research on nature-based solutions and restore seashore ecosystems, on which numerous human beings rely on,' reminded Patricia Ricard. 'The genuine Ocean's nurseries will only be saved with shared governance and commitment.'

PROI's presence at the first United Nations Ocean Conference falls within its intent to pursue its contribution to COP 22 and COP 21, two international events which reminded the international community about how urgent it is to protect Oceans.

PROI, which celebrated its 50^th anniversary in 2016, has launched the Take OFF initiative. The ambition of this scientific patronage is to support young scientific research to preserve Oceans through an appeal to oceanographic scientific patronage and the creation of an international residence, whose first tenant, a Korean student, finished his project last March on the Embiez island, at the Institute's scientific headquarters.

PROI's ongoing action and commitment are all the more important as UNESCO has asked stakeholders to engage in the International Decade of Oceanography, with sustainable development at heart. Its main ambition is to gather a wide array of actors to contribute together to the creation of a large action plan on the subject 'The Ocean we need for the future we want.'

About the Paul Ricard Oceanography Institute

The Paul Ricard Oceanography Institute is located on the island of Les Embiez, in the Var district. Since 1966, it has been a true guardian of the Mediterranean. As early as the 1990s, its researchers conducted experiments on the consequences of the increase in carbon dioxide in the atmosphere on the development of marine phytoplankton. Today, through several programmes supported by both the public and private sectors, research is geared towards marine biodiversity and the impact of climate change, the preservation of heritage species (e.g. seahorses), the management and monitoring of living resources (e.g. edible sea urchins), ecological restoration (e.g. artificial reefs), the study of nature-based solutions (e.g. biofouling) and the impact of emerging molecules such as endocrine disruptors on marine organisms. This research underlines the deep commitment of the Paul Ricard Oceanography Institute to the issue of climate change and forms part of a policy to protect the species and habitats upon which they depend. The Institute remains one of the rare examples of private sponsorship in the field of the protection of the oceans and scientific research.
 

About Pernod Ricard: CSR and environmental charter

Pernod Ricard is the world's n°2 in wines and spirits with consolidated Sales of ' 8,682 million in FY16. Created in 1975 by the merger of Ricard and Pernod, the Group has undergone sustained development, based on both organic growth and acquisitions. Pernod Ricard employs a workforce of approximately 18,500 people and operates through a decentralised organisation, with 6 'Brand Companies' and 85 'Market Companies' established in each key market. Pernod Ricard is strongly committed to a sustainable development policy and encourages responsible consumption. Pernod Ricard's strategy and ambition are based on 3 key values that guide its expansion: entrepreneurial spirit, mutual trust and a strong sense of ethics.

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