Blue Talk: Preserving our ocean - Debate of Ideas Series on "Empowerment"

Blue Talk: Preserving our ocean - Debate of Ideas Series on "Empowerment" at the

Blue Ocean Hall, Hong Kong Maritime Museum, Central Pier 8.

Join us for a "Blue Talk" discussion on ocean protection, as France will host the third United Nations Conference on Ocean (UNOC3) in Nice on 9-13 June 2025!

This “Blue Talk” will be part of the Debate of Ideas Series on Empowerment and will take place just a month before the third United Nations Ocean Conference (UNOC3) to take place in Nice, France in June 2025.

The ocean is still mostly unknown with barely 3% of the ocean explored and yet covering 70% of the Earth: it can be quite a scary place in the collective imagination! Ocean inspires fear but also fascination and this Blue Talk will give us the opportunity to think together about how to raise the profile of ocean issues both through science and art.

The Consulate General of France in Hong Kong and the Center for Research on Contemporary China (CEFC) are pleased to partner with the Hong Kong University of Science and Technology as well as with the Hong Kong Maritime Museum to bring about a platform of debate on a very pressing issue: ocean preservation.

The conference will be held at the Blue Ocean Hall and the public will be surrounded by the beautiful Underwater Photo Exhibition by Mr Alan LO who will also be a speaker. This exhibition aims at captivating the public to raise awareness about the mysterious creatures that play an important part in the environmental ecosystem.

Panel 1 : Ocean Science : how does climate change impact underwater biodiversity?

This panel will explore the relationship between climate change and marine ecosystem and will raise awareness on the importance of understanding the impact of climate change on biodiversity. Experts in different fields, from France and Hong Kong, will discuss current research and the implications for conservation efforts.

Speakers

• Professor Jianping GAN, Head of the Department of Ocean Science, Hong Kong University of Science and Technology
• Professor Sylvie DUFOUR, Emeritus Research Director at CNRS (National Center for Scientific Research), Head of Mission for the Sea at MNHN (National Museum of Natural History), Paris, France.
• Dr. Christelle NOT, Senior Lecturer, Department of Earth Sciences, Faculty of Science, The University of Hong Kong
• Dr Jim CHU, Assistant Director (Fisheries & Marine Conservation), Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department, HKSAR Government

Panel 2: Rethinking Ocean relationships: how do artists engage the public to maritime ecological issues?

This panel will dive into the role of artists in raising awareness on ocean protection and to tackle climate change, and more particularly their perspective on ocean preservation. Through innovative ways of expression, the speakers both researchers and artists will engage dialogue and encourage collective responsibility through art.

Speakers

• Alan LO, Hong Kong based photographer, Alan Lo Photography, Member of the Mandarin Divers
• Kai-chun YIP, Co-founder of the Inter-Island Festival.
• Professor Sylvie DUFOUR, Emeritus Research Director at CNRS (National Center for Scientific Research), Head of Mission for the Sea at MNHN (National Museum of Natural History), Paris, France.
• Dr. Caroline HA THUC, Independant Hong Kong based art writer, researcher and curator

More information here!