Global Maritime Accord Academy to Host Webinar on Ocean Health and Climate Challenges
The Global Maritime Accord Academy (GMA.A) is set to host its seventh international webinar on April 28, 2026, bringing together experts, academics, environmental advocates, and maritime leaders to discuss some of the most pressing threats facing the world’s oceans.
The event will focus on the growing environmental and climate-related pressures affecting marine ecosystems, with discussions ranging from deep ocean sustainability and plastic pollution to overfishing and global security implications tied to ocean health.
Event Details
Date: April 28, 2026
Time: 1500 UTC | 1700 Central European Time | 2030 India Time
Format: Online Webinar with Discussion Session
Duration: Up to 75 minutes
The webinar is part of preparations for the Academy’s upcoming Ocean Action Year launch, scheduled for World Ocean Day on June 8, 2026, in New Delhi. Organizers describe the event as an opportunity to examine how human activity, particularly land-based behavior and policy decisions, continues to shape the future of the oceans and global climate systems.
The session will feature a keynote presentation by Professor Lisa Levin from the United States on “Deep Ocean Discovery, Dangers and Decisions,” focusing on the ecological importance and growing vulnerabilities of deep ocean environments.
Additional perspectives will include a presentation by Aamber Fatima from India on civil society activism and plastic waste recovery efforts, highlighting the connection between land-based environmental action and ocean sustainability.
Senior expert contributions will also address wider structural and policy challenges. Professor Micheni Ntiba will discuss overfishing and the need for greater societal awareness and action, while Vice Admiral Ben Bekkering of the Netherlands will explore institutional responses related to ecological, economic, and maritime security concerns.
The webinar will conclude with an open discussion moderated by Admiral Robin Dhowan, Professor Peter Droege, and Commander Sujeet Samaddar.
According to the organizers, the event is grounded in the recognition that the oceans are increasingly acting as major amplifiers of climate disruption. Rising pollution, ecological degradation, overexploitation of marine resources, and geopolitical instability are all contributing to growing risks for ocean ecosystems and global climate stability.
The webinar aims to encourage dialogue around practical action items that governments, institutions, and communities can adopt to address these interconnected challenges. Discussions will focus not only on direct marine policies but also on broader societal and environmental decisions that indirectly shape ocean health.
Participants interested in attending can register online using the links below:
Flyer and Registration Information:
https://www.eurisd.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/GMA.Academy-7-CET-1700-28-April-2026-v.17042026.pdf
LinkedIn Invitation:
https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/oceans-2026-what-actions-global-maritime-accord-academy-droege-hfddf/
Registration Form:
https://www.jotform.com/form/261032060046340