Dear Colleagues,

We are delighted to have you join us in the inaugural event of the International Ocean Institute-USA, the Coastal Cities Summit. We hope this will be the first of many such Summits focusing on the important nexus between our oceans and our rapidly growing urban areas. 

The International Ocean Institute (IOI) is an international non-governmental organization with consultative status at the United Nations and headquartered in Malta. Its mission is to promote sustainable use of ocean and coastal resources, largely through training and capacity building programs. IOI-USA is the newest Operational Center, with 25 others around the world. IOI-USA is located on the beautiful campus of the University of South Florida, St. Petersburg. We hope that during the Summit you will have the opportunity to meet many IOI representatives and learn more about its important work around the world.

Thank you for joining us. We hope you will find the Summit enlightening and productive.

Christopher D’Elia

Director, IOI-USA

Dear Summit Participants,

On behalf of the Steering Committee, I want to thank you for attending the Coastal Cities Summit: Values & Vulnerabilities. This Summit is the brainchild of Noel Brown, director of the International Ocean Institute-Canada, who dreamed of bringing together scientists, policymakers and non-governmental organizations to talk about the issues that most impact coastal cities, now home to over 40% of the world’s population. Dr. Brown’s hope was that these disparate groups could share their challenges and learn from one another’s successes, with a particular focus on those who are at the frontlines of coastal city problems: city mayors and local municipal leaders.  This vision is shared by our co-host, St. Petersburg Mayor Rick Baker, whose support has been invaluable in planning the Summit.

We hope that you will not only leave the Summit with new ideas about coastal city issues, but that what you have learned will inform your own decisions and recommendations regarding coastal city living. We look forward to a successful Summit with you and hope this is just the beginning of a fruitful dialogue on coastal cities. 

Rebecca Harris

Summit Managing Chair