Full Speaker List

Erik Giercksky has led the UN Global Compact's work on Ocean since January 2018. The UNGC Ocean Stewardship Coalition consists of globally leading marine and maritime companies, as well as academic institutions, central UN organizations and NGOs. Since its inception, the work has been a significant normative factor for sustainability work in ocean-related industries. Of particular importance was the establishment of the Sustainable Ocean Principles during the UN General Assembly in 2019. Giercksky is co-convenor of the G20 Ocean track and is also the lead author of the Blue Bonds Reference Paper, a reference document for the bond market's work on sustainability for ocean related companies and now part of the ICMA guidelines. Giercksky has previously worked as director in the Norwegian Shipowners' Association and has held leadership roles in a number of companies and organizations. Giercksky started his career as a Norwegian diplomat and was part of the team that led Norway's work with peace processes in different parts of the world. Giercksky has two master degrees: from the London School of Economics and from the University of Oslo.