The Volvo Ocean Race is returning to Cape Town this summer and the organisers have taken the decision to use the platform to positively participate in the ocean health and plastic pollution conversation.

In partnership with the United Nations Environment’s Clean Seas Program the event will also stage Ocean Summits at selected stopover host cities, bringing together politicians, scientists, business and sport to tackle the problem of ocean health, with a specific focus on plastic pollution.

“The joint venture between ourselves and the V&A Waterfront, as well as the immense support we receive from the City of Cape Town, offers us the ideal set of circumstances to share the message of United Nations Clean Seas campaign and Ocean Sustainability with local and international,” says Cape Town Stopover Delivery Agency, WorldSport CEO Bruce Parker-Forsyth.

Leading by example

The race itself is also leading in sustainable event management with Volvo Ocean Race taking real steps to implement meaningful changes to the management of each stop over.

Anne-Cécile Turner, Sustainability Programme Leader from Volvo Ocean Race notes that as a leading global sports event it is important they use this great opportunity to inspire best practice for all events around the world with the environment and local communities in mind.

“The Volvo Ocean Race represents a unique platform to gather global key stakeholders and local influencers to allow us not only to raise awareness about the crucial issue of plastic pollution, but also to empower them in positive action. We want to illustrate and promote best practice all over the world, from small scale entrepreneurs to global corporations, in order to create measurable positive change, in a continuous movement,” she explains.

The Cape Town Ocean Summit is scheduled to take place on the 7th and 8th of December 2017 and will be hosted at the Nedbank Auditorium at Cape Town’s iconic V&A Waterfront.