Professor at the Oceanographic Institute and the University of São Paulo. Head of the UNESCO Chair for Ocean Sustainability.

Khadija Stewart is a Caribbean ocean and climate specialist from Trinidad and Tobago. She holds dual Master’s degrees in Climate Change and Development and Sustainable Environmental Development. As the Founder of EcoVybz Environmental Creatives and EcoSeas Caribbean, she leads transformative initiatives such as Karibe Speak, Deep Sea Youth Symposium, and Thinking Beyond the Tides, using storytelling, art, and community-based advocacy to amplify Caribbean voices. Khadija currently serves as the Senior Campaigner at RISE UP for the Ocean, where she advocates for equitable, justice-centered ocean protection at both regional and global levels. She also produced The Anglerfish Chronicles, a radio series under TBA21–Academy, spotlighting deep ocean narratives through cultural and scientific lenses. Her work bridges the gap between science, policy, and lived experience, ensuring that youth and frontline communities are central to sustainable ocean governance and climate action.

Scientist Head of the team EcoSignal (Ecosystem Monitoring and Sustainability) CIIMAR - Interdisciplinary Centre of Marine and Environmental Research and Coordinator of the UNESCO Chair Ocean Expert University of Porto.

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Multidisciplinary marine biologist and master in oceanography and marine environment management. Maria has directed efforts towards fostering international collaboration and knowledge exchange in islands and coastal territories. For two years she has worked as part of the Menorcan secretariat of the UNESCO MAB thematic World Network of Island and Coastal Biosphere Reserves.

Mohamed Kamal is the Director of Greenish Foundation and an Environmental Activist based in Egypt working on plastic pollution for 8 years. Mohamed has been actively involved in the intergovernmental negotiating committee on plastic pollution (INC) process.

Winner of the first edition of the OceanLove Innovation Awards 2024, and Founder and President of Bahri Association, a non-profit NGO that aims for coastal protection and education of future generations to protect the environment.

Now in her third decade of ocean advocacy, Sian Owen is the Executive Director of the Deep Sea Conservation Coalition and has worked with civil society organizations worldwide on ocean, climate, and biodiversity policy.