The United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD) has appointed Dona Bertarelli, an ocean conservation advocate, as its special adviser for blue economy.
Dona Bertarelli, a Swiss philanthropist with Italian origin and the fastest woman to sail around the world, will help UNCTAD to promote a sustainable blue economy, said a statement issued by the UNCTAD on Tuesday.
“Particularly she will work for developing countries, to ensure the responsible and regenerative use of the ocean, seas and coasts for economic growth, while preserving the health of the ocean ecosystem,” said the statement.
UNCTAD Secretary-General Mukhisa Kituyi said Bertarelli would be an excellent adviser to the organisation.
“Together we will reach out to vulnerable communities who rely on the ocean with a message of hope, promote their socio-economic advancement and mobilise international public opinion in support of the sustainable use of oceans and coastal ecosystems,” Dr. Kituyi said.
Dona Bertarelli co-created the Bertarelli Foundation in 1998, and for the last decade, has led the foundation’s work in advancing marine conservation policy and ocean protection.
The foundation has so far supported the protection and environmental conservation of more than 2.7 million square kilometres of the ocean.