The Global Ocean Forum (GOF) and Monmouth University Urban Coast Institute (UCI) hosted the third edition of their Ocean and Climate Action webinar series, “Sustainable Blue Economy,” on March 4. The session gathered leading international experts to explore the development of a blue economy that sustainably utilizes ocean and coastal resources while emphasizing economic growth, social inclusion and environmental preservation.
The webinar was moderated by GOF Executive Director Miriam Balgos and UCI Director Tony MacDonald and included the following panelists (scroll down for bios):
- Cynthia Barzuna, Ocean Action 2030 Coalition Director, World Resources Institute
- Cary Anne Cadman, Regional Environment Manager, Latin America and the Caribbean, World Bank
- Jérémie Adlerfligel, Third Secretary, Permanent Mission of Monaco to the United Nations in New York
- Nigel Bradly, Chief Executive Officer, EnviroStrat; Policy Advisory Board Member, Global Ocean Forum
- James Merchant, Marine Natural Capital Analyst, Marine Conservation Society
The webinar was the final installment of an Ocean and Climate Action series that the UCI and GOF are jointly organizing in alignment with the U.N. Decade of Ocean Science for Sustainable Development Vision 2030. The webinars aimed to mobilize civil society around critical ocean and climate action identified in the report on Assessing Progress on Ocean and Climate Action 2022-2023 (“ROCA” report). The ROCA report highlights the need for a regenerative blue economy to support healthy ocean and climate systems. This webinar discussed the advancement of blue economy practices, explored the development of a sustainable and regenerative blue economy, and development of plans for sustainable ocean economies.
Click here to watch the first Climate and Ocean Action series webinar, “Catalyzing Party and Community Action on Ocean, Climate and BBNJ,” held on April 18, 2024. Click here to view the second webinar, “Current Status and Future of the Global Plastics Treaty,” held on Feb. 4, 2025.
Panelist Bios
Cynthia Barzuna
Cynthia Barzuna is the director of Ocean Action 2030, a voluntary coalition dedicated to supporting countries in their aim of building a sustainable ocean economy through the development and implementation of Sustainable Ocean Plans. Members of Ocean Action 2030 are leading institutions that can provide the technical and financial assistance that countries may need to develop and implement their Sustainable Ocean Plans, where there is a match between country demand and member capacity. Currently, this coalition works with the countries that are part of The High-Level Panel for a Sustainable Ocean Economy (Ocean Panel), a unique global initiative by serving world leaders that is working to build momentum towards a sustainable ocean economy in which effective protection, sustainable production and equitable prosperity go together.
Cary Anne Cadman
Cary Anne Cadman is the blue economy coordinator for the Caribbean Region assisting World Bank clients to identify viable solutions to the myriad challenges faced in ensuring sustainable use of their environmental and natural resource base. Previously, she served as environment sector coordinator for the Pacific Islands and Indonesia providing technical leadership of the region and country’s multi-sectoral ocean economy, inclusive of oceanic and coastal fisheries, coastal ecosystems, nature-based tourism, marine pollution and green growth agendas as well as managing the 20-member Environment and Social Safeguards teams. Prior to that, she was the deputy regional safeguards advisor for Sub-Saharan Africa overseeing environmental and social risk mitigation and due diligence of more than 800 operations in 47 countries, including 17 Fragile States. Ms. Cadman has worked directly in more than 33 countries, including several Fragile States, across three regions (Sub-Saharan Africa, East Asia and the Pacific and Latin America and the Caribbean), leading regional, national and sub-national World Bank operations and high-level policy dialogue on forestry, fisheries, biodiversity, green growth, environmental risk mitigation and the blue economy. She has served on several advisory boards as lead strategist on blue economy and environmental risk management.
Jérémie Adlerfligel
Jérémie Adlerfligel is a Monegasque diplomat working at the Permanent Mission of the Principality of Monaco to the United Nations. After starting his career at the Department of External Relations and Cooperation, Jérémie focuses on issues relating to the protection of the environment, the ocean and the law of the sea.
Nigel Bradly, Ph.D.
Nigel Bradly is a natural resources, energy and marine specialist with 22 years experience in both public and private sectors around the world. Strategy development and execution has become a particular focus in the past 15 years and includes leadership roles in multiple acquisitions, mergers, divestments, restructuring, capital raising, execution of a public-private partnership, and creation of new businesses in the energy, primary, environmental, tourism, and financial service sectors.
James Merchant
James Merchant is leading the Marine Conservation Society’s work on natural capital, blue finance and the sustainable blue economy. Advocating for a sustainable blue economy that delivers sustainable growth, resilience and equity by protecting and enhancing our marine ecosystems. Creating socioeconomic analysis to inform decision makers and support ocean advocacy, including the long-term impact on society of a restricting bottom-contact fishing with the UK’s offshore benthic MPA network and the potential for blue job creation through ocean restoration. Co-host of a podcast series exploring various aspects of a sustainable blue economy. Chair of the UK Blue Carbon Forum Policy and Markets working group.
Moderator Bios
Tony MacDonald
Tony MacDonald is director of the Monmouth University Urban Coast Institute (UCI). He was previously the executive director of the Coastal States Organization (CSO) from 1998-2005. CSO, based in Washington, DC, represents the interests of the governors of the nation’s 35 coastal states and territories on coastal and ocean policy matters. Prior to joining CSO, Tony was the special counsel and director of environmental affairs at the American Association of Port Authorities, where he represented the International Association of Ports and Harbors (IAPH) at the International Maritime Organization on negotiations on the London Convention. Tony also practiced law with a private firm in Washington, DC, and served as the environmental legislative representative for the Mayor of the City of New York.
Miriam Balgos, Ph.D.
Miriam Balgos is executive director of the Global Ocean Forum and concurrent project manager-capacity development specialist of a GEF-funded project on Building and Enhancing Sectoral and Cross-Sectoral Capacity to Support Sustainable Resource Use and Biodiversity Conservation in Marine Areas Beyond National Jurisdiction. Formerly associate scientist at the College of Earth, Ocean, and Environment, University of Delaware and the program coordinator of the Global Ocean Forum, Balgos led the Gerard J. Mangone Center for Marine Policy team in the organization and conduct of multi-stakeholder dialogues in integrated ocean and coastal management. Her research focused on integrated ocean and coastal management, marine protected areas, marine areas beyond national jurisdiction, and climate change adaptation. She co-authored and contributed to various publications including “A Comparative Analysis of Ocean Policies in Fifteen Nations and Four Regions” and co-edited the Routledge “Handbook of National and Regional Ocean Policies.” Miriam received a bachelor’s degree in fisheries and master’s in marine biology from the University of the Philippines, and a master’s in business administration and Ph.D. marine studies at the University of Delaware.