The POP Movement was proud to contribute to the UNESCO IESALC Blue Economy Pilot Project Final Consolidation and Review Meeting, held on 24 June 2026 in Lisbon, Portugal.

Representing the POP Movement, Dr. Ash Pachauri participated as a speaker during Session 2, which explored research insights and policy recommendations emerging from the multi-country Blue Economy initiative involving Angola, Chile, Jamaica, and Portugal. The session was moderated by Dr. Norma Patricia Muñoz Sevilla, Honorary Distinguished Mentor of the POP Movement, and featured distinguished panelists Dr. Ana Teresa Santos (ISCTE – University Institute of Lisbon) and Dr. Fernando Vergara (Andrés Bello University, Chile).

In his remarks, Dr. Pachauri emphasized that the Blue Economy is not simply an economic or environmental agenda—it is fundamentally about people. He highlighted the importance of community leadership, climate resilience, cultural heritage, youth engagement, women’s leadership, and the recognition of local and Indigenous knowledge in building sustainable coastal futures.

He also underscored the critical role of higher education institutions in connecting science, policy, and communities, advocating for stronger knowledge co-creation and meaningful participation in coastal governance. Sustainable Blue Economy transitions, he noted, require governments, universities, communities, women, and young people to work together as equal partners.

The meeting brought together representatives from UNESCO IESALC, the United Nations Office for South-South Cooperation (UNOSSC), governments, universities, civil society organizations, and community stakeholders to review project outcomes and strengthen future collaboration, capacity building, and South-South and triangular cooperation.

The POP Movement is proud to serve as an Implementation Partner in this important global initiative, contributing to knowledge exchange, youth engagement, and community-centred approaches that advance resilient, inclusive, and sustainable coastal development.