Caroline Rault, President of the Odysseo Foundation and Chief Sustainability Officer: “The ocean connects us all”
What are your takeaways from the United Nations Ocean Conference?
It was an intense week of global mobilization around the ocean. Researchers, NGOs, governments, and citizens - all came together to move forward on major issues such as the BBNJ (Biodiversity Beyond National Jurisdiction) treaty for the high seas, and the 30\*30 target, which aims to protect 30% of ocean spaces by 2030.
The conference also stood out for its openness to the public through the “Whale Hall,” visited by over 100,000 people - a great example of large-scale awareness-raising. It also brought multilateralism back to the forefront, with everyone reaffirming that the ocean is a common good that demands collective action.
The Blue Economy Conference held in Monaco opened up dialogue on the financing needed for this transition. And the issue of gender equality also found its place through events hosted by Women Actions for the Ocean.
What does this mean for Mauritius?
The official delegation, led by Prime Minister Navin Ramgoolam and including Fabrice David, Junior Minister of Agro-Industry, Food Security, Blue Economy and Fisheries, strongly represented the country’s commitments, particularly on the BBNJ and marine protected areas.
The private and nonprofit sectors - including Bernardo Nascimento, Director of the Odysseo Foundation, curator and Head of Education at Odysseo, and myself - also played an active role.
These exchanges led to partnerships and helped identify funding opportunities. I’m convinced that the outcomes will contribute positively to protecting our ocean and developing the blue economy.
What impact will this have on the Odysseo Foundation?
We made valuable connections, shared experiences, and found new avenues for our projects. UNOC inspired us. We came back more motivated than ever, with fresh ideas and promising partnerships.
And what about education?
It’s essential. Mauritius is a Big Blue Ocean State: 99.9% of our Exclusive Economic Zone is ocean. We need to be aware of that.
That’s why Odysseo exists - not just as an aquarium, but as a place of education and awareness, guided by our motto: Learn, Love, Protect.
Odysseo also reaches out to the public with programmes like Odysseo at the Beach and Odysseo at the School.
Since its launch in September 2024, the Odysseo Foundation has actively contributed to this dimension. Thanks to our recent certification in the Ocean Fresk, we now have a new interactive awareness-raising tool.
Inspired by the visual and playful concept of the Climate Fresk, the Ocean Fresk offers a systemic approach to raising awareness of ocean-related challenges and the impacts of our activities - but it also aims to encourage participants to take action.
It’s together that we can “Blue the Future.”