Montreal Mayor Valérie Plante, Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson, and Milwaukee Mayor Cavalier Johnson have pledged to transform the Great Lakes and St. Lawrence basin into a 'blue-green economic corridor of the 21st century.' The mayors will sign a declaration committing to attracting blue and green industries, building clean and accessible waterfronts, establishing clean and renewable energy sources, and developing sustainable trade, mobility, and tourism. The Great Lakes-St. Lawrence Basin is the world's largest freshwater ecosystem, providing drinking water for over 40 million people and generating $6,000 billion in economic output annually. The mayors' declaration aims to foster transformative, sustainable, and inclusive economic development. The signing will take place during the annual convention of the Alliance of Great Lakes and St. Lawrence Cities in Montreal.
Ontario and Illinois are set to enhance economic collaboration through a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signing ceremony between Premier Doug Ford and Governor J.B. Pritzker. The event is scheduled for Tuesday, June 11, 2024, in Toronto, and aims to foster stronger ties between the two regions. The MoU highlights the commitment of Ontario and Illinois to collaborate on various fronts, including tourism, with the goal of leveraging each region's unique attractions and cultural heritage to attract visitors and boost local economies. The partnership between Ontario and Illinois in the tourism sector holds promise for economic growth, job creation, and cultural exchange. The signing ceremony symbolizes unity and collaboration, signaling a shared commitment to advancing tourism initiatives. By aligning strategies and resources, both regions can tap into new markets, enhance infrastructure, and develop innovative tourism products and services. The partnership also aims to promote responsible tourism and conservation efforts to preserve natural and cultural heritage. The collaboration between Ontario and Illinois comes at a pivotal moment as the tourism industry looks to recover from the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. The MoU signifies a new chapter in the relationship between the two regions, marked by mutual cooperation and shared prosperity. The stage is set for a future where tourism serves as a catalyst for growth, opportunity, and unity.
Mayors from the Great Lakes region in Canada and the U.S. are planning an economic transformation centered around the region's water resources. The 10-year plan, set to launch in 2025, aims to make the region a globally renowned economic corridor. The plan emphasizes water, innovation, and sustainability. Rob Sisson, a former U.S. commissioner on the International Joint Commission (IJC), expressed caution about relying too heavily on innovation and highlighted the importance of infrastructure. He also discussed the need to educate the public about water conservation and the potential risks of overselling water resources. Sisson emphasized the importance of Indigenous voices in water management and called for greater collaboration between governments and Indigenous nations. He stressed the need for citizens to take an active interest in Great Lakes stewardship and the long-term sustainability of the region's water resources.
This initiative adds to the growing momentum in advancing the blue economy and sustainable development. The Senator Roger Wicker Center for Ocean Enterprise has been launched in Mississippi to maximize the state's Blue Economy. The center will house experts in maritime studies and develop technology to benefit various industries. In Rhode Island, a new Operations Center for the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) is being established to support the development of marine technology and sustainable infrastructure. South Florida is also focusing on leveraging its blue water assets to create more jobs and protect water quality and marine life. The Blue Economy initiative in Florida aims to commercialize and monetize research and expertise in areas such as deepwater marine sponges, sustainable food sources, coral ecosystem balance, and underwater wind farms. In Tanzania, the Regional Maritime University (RMU) and the Dar es Salaam Maritime Institute (DMI) will hold the third Blue Economy Conference (BEC2024) to promote the blue economy within the context of maritime development. The conference will address various topics related to the blue economy, including maritime safety and security, climate change actions, sustainable exploitation of blue economy resources, and renewable energy solutions for maritime transportation. Additionally, AltaSea CEO Terry Tamminen will be a featured panelist at the Our Ocean Conference in Greece, discussing the establishment of a sustainable blue economy.
The blue economy is not limited to the Great Lakes region and coastal areas. It also extends to the polar regions, the Arctic and Antarctic. A recent article discusses the connection between the blue economy and the Arctic and Antarctic regions. The blue economy refers to the sustainable use of ocean resources for economic growth and development while conserving ocean ecosystems. Climate change is transforming the polar regions, leading to opportunities and challenges in various sectors. Melting ice in the Arctic has opened up new trade routes, stimulating economic activity and increasing shipping traffic. It has also made previously inaccessible areas available for fishing and has the potential for infrastructure development and increased tourism. In the Antarctic, melting ice poses hazards to navigation and impacts research operations, but also affects fish stocks, wildlife habitats, and tourism experiences. The article emphasizes the importance of collaboration, data collection, and sharing knowledge to harness the transformation in the polar regions and realize the value of the blue economy. The blue economy is relevant to businesses globally and can contribute to a more sustainable future.
Finland, the United States, and Canada are intensifying their collaboration on icebreakers in the Arctic region. President Alexander Stubb, Joe Biden, and Justin Trudeau issued a joint statement to establish a partnership that encourages demand for icebreakers to be channeled to shipyards in the participating countries. The Icebreaker Collaboration Effort (ICE Pact) will allow Finland to contribute its Arctic expertise and provide new opportunities for business and industry. The partnership aims to open up the market for Finnish systems and components suppliers and deepen Finland's relations with the US and Canada. The joint statement recognizes the importance of the Arctic region for the economy, climate, and national security. Over the next six months, the partners will begin negotiations on an implementation plan. Finland's maritime industry cluster and shipbuilding capacity are expected to benefit from the initiative, as the estimate for the need of ice-class government vessels for the next decade is several tens. The joint statement is financially and legally non-binding. [b1a9a49c]