Paul Holthus

Founding CEO Emeritus

World Ocean Council

Paul Holthus founded the World Ocean Council (WOC) – the Global Blue Economy Business and Investment Organization – the international business leadership alliance on ocean sustainable development. The WOC brings together the global ocean finance community along with ocean industries (shipping, fisheries, aquaculture, tourism, offshore energy, submarine cables, ports, and other sectors) for global business community leadership, collaboration and action on the future of the ocean. Since 2010, the annual WOC Sustainable Ocean Summit (SOS) has been the only high-level global ocean business and investment event on “Corporate Ocean Responsibility”. In 2020 Paul also launched the annual Global Blue Finance Summit (BlueFIN). Paul is a globally recognized leader in ocean and coastal investment and sustainable development. He has held senior positions with UN Environment and other international organizations. He has worked in 30+ countries, with companies, communities, industry associations, UN agencies, NGOs, and governments on practical ocean sustainability solutions, His work on coastal/marine sustainable development in the Red Sea/Gulf region includes being on the startup Advisory Board for the Red Sea Project, evaluating and advising on Blue Economy development for Oxagon/Neom. Paul has advanced degrees in marine resources and international business, was a Fulbright scholar in Australia and is an East-West Center alum. Paul is a regular speaker at international business, investment and intergovernmental events, was invited to be on the UN Secretary General’s ocean advisory panel for Rio+20 and is the only global ocean industry organization representative invited to address the UN General Assembly.