Leading Women for the Ocean (LWO) is a global network of women leaders from the highest levels of government, business, and civil society. We believe that empowering women’s voices in international ocean conservation increases our ability to solve problems. We are committed to empowering their participation in key negotiations such as climate change and ocean protection (or conservation), overfishing and IUU fisheries, and pollution. With passionate representatives from over 10 countries, we bring a new approach to protecting the ocean and the many millions of people who depend on its health and resources.
Supporters
In 2018 at PALM 8, Ms. Akie Abe, the First Lady of Japan, hosted a spouse program dedicated to ocean conservation. This has changed the role of spouse programs held in parallel with global high-level meetings: spouse programs are now serving as great platforms to deliver the message to the world that humans must act to conserve our oceans and our planet for the future. I would like to congratulate Ms. Maria Damanaki and Ms. Abe for their leadership and all female leaders for creating this forum and platform. Thank you LWO for leading our way toward a brighter future. “
Atsushi Sunami – Sasakawa Peace Foundation (SPF) President
“From my experience leading many international negotiations at the Fisheries Agency of Japan, I think female leaders are more decisive and are determined to complete what has been decided. They told me to commit myself more to what I am supposed to do. I must emphasize the importance of making commitments. In the past, I made commitments on bluefin tuna recovery to some female leaders and kept my words. Now LWO is making a commitment to make seafood resources more abundant than they are today and pass them on to the next generation. I would like to be part of their commitment regardless of my gender. “
Masanori Miyahara – Japan Fisheries Research and Education Agency Former President