Paul Holthus has been advancing ocean business, investment, and sustainable development since the 1990’s and launched the World Ocean Council (WOC) in 2009. As the global blue economy business and investment organization, the WOC brings together shipping, fisheries, aquaculture, tourism, offshore energy, investors and others in the international business alliance to create leadership, collaboration and action on “Corporate Ocean Responsibility”. The WOC work program advances action on the key global ocean sustainable development and ocean/climate challenges and opportunities facing business. Paul is a frequent speaker at international ocean, industry, sustainability, and investment events. He was one of five people invited to be a member of the UN Secretary General’s Expert Group on Oceans for the 2012 Rio+20 conference. He is the first international ocean industry organization representative invited to address the UN General Assembly. Mr. Holthus has worked on ocean, coastal, and island sustainable development for over 40 years and in over 30 countries – working with UN agencies, companies, communities, industry associations, international NGOs, and foundations. He has held senior positions with UNEP, IUCN, The Nature Conservancy, and other international environmental organizations. Paul is a graduate of the University of California and University of Hawaii and was a Fulbright scholar in Australia and is an East-West Center alum.
