FAR in the Deep Blue
FAR in the Deep Blue - 22-24 March in Brisbane
25 French and Australian organizations and 40 speakers joined efforts to discuss ocean protection, biodiversity, coastal ecosystems management and blue economy, as well as governance.
Participants included experts from the CNRS, Ifremer, CSIRO, Great Barrier Reef Foundation, Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority, The Australian Academy of Science, Parc Naturel de la Mer de Corail, Centre de Recherches Insulaires et Observatoire de l’Environnement (CRIOBE), AIMS, IRD, James Cook University, QUT (Queensland University of Technology), Griffith University, Université de Bretagne Occidentale and many others. A delegation from New Caledonia met to discuss marine parks and coral reefs preservation. Finally, a delegation of compagnies led by Business France also took part in the discussions and networking event.
The week-long conference took place with government representatives from Australia, Queensland, New Caledonia and France engaging in strategic discussions to set up ambitious joint projects in the Pacific region.
For the study and preservation of the Coral Sea related to the joint 2010 declaration
For the biodiversity observation with the possible setup of a Pacific biodiversity observatory
For the sustainable management of coastal areas by New Caledonia, Australia and other Pacific island countries together
For a blue economy
→ Economy and Environment │ The “FAR in the Deep Blue” events are deeply rooted in science and innovation, with 14 delegates representing marine clusters, research institutes, universities and industry players, including SMES and emerging startups specialized in marine sustainability and blue economy with a strong focus on coral reef conservation and protection.
Together they form the very first official Great Barrier Reef Mission led by Business France, the French Trade Commission in Australia, in close partnership with France’s Pole Mer Bretagne-Atlantique and Pole Mer Mediterannée and the New-Caledonian Government. By sharing French expertise and technologies with its Pacific partners, we hope to find concrete solutions to efficiently address marine sustainability and blue economy.
→ Culture │And because public awareness is primordial to help safeguard our oceans, the “FAR in the Deep Blue” conference also offered an artistic perspective on oceans preservation efforts, with a mesmerizing photo exhibition by French photojournalist Alexis Rosenfeld and the screening of the cult movie “Le Grand Bleu”, in association with the One Ocean Foundation and the Alliance Française in Brisbane.
France reaffirms its commitment to ocean sustainable governance and protection by reinforcing collaborative efforts in the Pacific. Together, let’s find scientific and innovative solutions to our common challenges and protect the world’s oceans!
Amateurs of art and photography with an environmental awareness should visit the outstanding exhibition by Alexis Rosenfeld to be be inaugurated on 23 March at the Queensland Museum Network, supported by The Embassy of France to Australia. Live until 23 April.
