The Mirpuri Foundation President Paulo Mirpuri addressed the Mediterranean Science Commission (CIESM) on the final day of its 42nd International Congress in Cascais, Portugal, with the presence of HSH Prince Albert II of Monaco.
Paulo Mirpuri joined a panel of academics, including Bella Galil from the Steinhardt Museum of Natural History, Tel Aviv; François Galgani from Ifremer (the French Institute for Ocean Science) in Bastia; and Maria Bebianno from the University of Algarve, Portugal, to discuss ‘Ocean and Human Health’ in front of an audience of interested 250 delegates.
HSH Prince Albert II of Monaco, President of CIESM, and Portuguese President Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa inaugurated this congress. The Portuguese President has tapped the attention of the scientific community to connect with economic activities, public affairs and policy makers. Carlos Carreiras, President of the Cascais City Council, also welcomed the guests.
Speaking before the event, Paulo Mirpuri said: “It’s an honour to be asked to share an opinion as such an event, and I would like to congratulate the Science Commission on long and distinguished history and the hard work it has done over the years.
“The fact that the commission chose to hold its 42nd International conference here in Cascais, a place so close to my heart made it particularly appealing.
“We are always among our friends here and I always enjoy the opportunity to share this special place with others and introduce people, who are not familiar with the area to this beautiful part of Portugal.
“The Mirpuri Foundation has a long interest in the health of our oceans and has backed many initiatives to preserve them for future generations.
“We have also been warning for a long time that, as we as a species continue to pollute our environment, particularly our oceans, then in time, that pollution comes back to you. That is happening now with microplastics affecting many aspects of human health.
“We are grateful to be given the opportunity to put our findings, as scientists and doctors, to the Commission.
“The Mirpuri Foundation has worked hard to make some of the dangers of plastics in the ocean better known and the commission has given us that platform.”
The CIESM, based in Monaco under the chairmanship of Prince Albert II, who also joined the event in Cascais, has grown from the eight founding countries to some 23 member States today. It supports a network of thousands of marine researchers who work hard to better understand, monitor and protect the fast-changing Mediterranean Sea.
With changes in the Mediterranean Sea happening at an unprecedented pace, the CIESM tracks and analyses data on thousands of projects, including the impact of global warming on sea-level and water masses, changes in marine biodiversity and the accumulation of pollutants in marine food chains. It runs workshops, collaborative programs, and regular congresses, to deliver its authoritative, independent advice to national and international agencies.
The Mirpuri Foundation also offered the CIESM Opening Cocktail, which began on 7th October, at Cidadela, in Cascais.
Program of the event:
http://ciesm.org/marine/congresses/sessions_cascais.php#friday
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