Martin Koehring | Global Sustainable Finance & Blue Economy Leader

I’m looking forward to moderating several sessions at Economist Impact’s 13th annual World Ocean Summit & Expo in Montréal (March 4–5). I’ll be leading discussions across the Nature-Based Solutions track and beyond.

Last weekend, I had the opportunity to speak at the Directors’ Meeting of the Partnership for Observation of the Global Ocean (POGO), a global network of leading oceanographic institutes. The question on the table was simple but urgent: How do we finance sustained ocean observation in a world of constrained public budgets?

At Mumbai Climate Week 2026, I had the opportunity to deliver a short special address on blue financing for urban coastal resilience. The discussion brought together leaders from finance, development institutions, and coastal economies across Asia and beyond. One theme was unmistakable: We are not short of awareness, we are short of structure.

On 19 February, I’ll be giving a short special address at Mumbai Climate Week 2026 on blue financing for urban coastal resilience. Coastal cities like Mumbai sit on the frontlines of climate risk: rising sea levels, flooding and extreme weather are already driving recurrent economic losses. Yet financing for coastal and urban resilience remains fragmented.

In February 2026, I delivered a lecture at the VII Winter Crash Course at CECRI – the Centre for International Relations Studies at the University of Minho​ examining the blue economy as a coupled ecological–economic–political system. The discussion explored how maritime governance, strategic autonomy, and financial architecture interact in shaping development pathways across the Indo-Pacific.

Earlier this month, I had the opportunity to contribute to a course on Intellectual Property and the Blue Economy, where the focus was on a deceptively simple question: how do we finance innovation in ocean and coastal sectors, particularly in small island developing states (SIDS, also known as great ocean states)?

On 17 January 2026, the Biodiversity Beyond National Jurisdiction (BBNJ) Agreement entered into force. The world has finally acknowledged that nearly two-thirds of our planet's ocean cannot be governed by conservation intent alone. But from a blue finance perspective, entry into force is only the starting gun, not the finish line.

Last month, I had the privilege of moderating two key events at UNIDO's General Conference in Riyadh - both dedicated to advancing one of the most forward-looking agendas in global sustainable development: UNIDO's emerging Blue Industry vision.

I'm excited to present at the first Interactive Dialogue on "Unlocking Blue Finance in India, Bangladesh, Indonesia, and the Philippines" organized by Ocean Centres - a global initiative hosted by the United Nations Global Compact and supported by the Lloyd's Register Foundation, active in Brazil, Ghana, Kenya, India, Bangladesh, Indonesia, and the Philippines.

I had the honor of delivering a keynote address on "Navigating a Wave of New Blue Finance Opportunities" at the World Ocean Forum in Busan, South Korea. The Forum offered rich discussions spanning cooperation, innovation, finance, and sustainability in the global blue economy.

Excited to be speaking next week at the World Ocean Forum 2025 in Busan, South Korea on "Navigating a Wave of New Blue Finance Opportunities".

Last week I had the privilege of speaking at Ocean and Coastal Futures' inaugural Blue Finance event in London, the UK's first gathering dedicated to aligning finance, policy, and community for a regenerative blue economy. Read the event highlights here.

Exciting news! I'll be speaking at Ocean and Coastal Futures' inaugural Blue Finance event in London, 10-11 September 2025! This UK-first gathering brings together leaders from finance, ocean sustainability, and government to explore how capital can drive sustainable, regenerative solutions for our ocean.

During the recent UN Ocean Conference in Nice I was part of UNIDO's event on Advancing Blue Industry for Sustainable Development. I highlighted that sustainable blue industry is intrinsically connected to sustainable blue finance.

Great to speak at the Ocean-Climate Nexus during this week's London Climate Action Week. I shared my perspectives on accelerating ocean-climate action through finance and the role of the private sector. Other panels focused on civil society and AI.

I am looking forward to speaking at the Ocean-Climate Nexus, the key event placing the ocean at the centre of the climate discussion during London Climate Action Week. I will share my perspectives on "accelerating ocean-climate action through finance" in a keynote and talk about the role of financial institutions in a panel discussion.

What an insightful and exciting time its been at the UN Ocean Conference (and associated events) in Nice! Great to see so many ocean friends and progress in key areas such as accelerating blue finance, sustainable use of the high seas, and pollution.

Today I was delighted to give the opening remarks for the Biodiversity Credit Alliance's event on "Marine Biodiversity Credits: Applying High-level Principles to Coastal & Ocean Ecosystems" during the UN Ocean Conference in Nice.

I'm looking forward to moderating "Amplifying best practice in the Caribbean UK Overseas Territories", an online event by the Marine Conservation Society during the UN Ocean Conference.

I'm looking forward to speaking at UNIDO's Green Zone event on "Advancing Blue Industry for Sustainable Development" as part of the UN Ocean Conference in Nice. Last year I supported the United Nations Industrial Development Organization on its Blue Industry strategy.