Celebrating the Inaugural Ocean Gala and Blue Innovation Reception in New York City

On June 10, 2026, Peace Boat US hosted its inaugural Ocean Gala & Blue Innovation Reception onboard its vessel, currently docked at the Manhattan Cruise Terminal as part of the 123rd Global Voyage. The event, held in celebration of United Nations World Oceans Day and the UN Decade of Ocean Science for Sustainable Development, brought together a diverse coalition of diplomats, UN officials, youth leaders, and innovators dedicated to marine conservation.

The evening opened with a powerful musical performance by the Ava McCune Quintet and a traditional welcome song from Nākaloka, setting a collaborative tone for the night’s proceedings. Emilie McGlone, Director of Peace Boat US, welcomed guests by emphasizing the organization’s commitment to nature-based solutions and the shared mission of protecting “Life Below Water”.

Highlighting Ocean Governance and Global Partnerships

Keynote addresses from senior officials underscored the importance of international cooperation in ocean management. Dmitry Gonchar, Principal Legal Officer at the UN Division for Ocean Affairs and the Law of the Sea (DOALOS), shared insights on the critical nature of partnerships for UN World Oceans Day, while also introducing the third World Ocean Assessment III, which offers the most comprehensive evaluation to date and provides Governments, institutions and the public with the evidence needed to shape coordinated, effective action. 

This was followed by a session on ocean governance and marine science, featuring Francois Bailet from UN DOALOS and explorer Gaelin Rosenwaks, who discussed the evolving challenges of managing marine resources in a changing climate.

Empowering the Next Generation and SIDS

A major highlight of the gala was the amplification of voices from Small Island Developing States (SIDS) and youth movements.

Adam de Picot, Founder and Executive Director of the  MESA Institute for Global Impact, led a conversation with Oshin Whyte from Turks and Caicos, a Youth for the SDGs alumni who discussed vital collaborations for coastal community resilience.

This was then followed by a panel of early-career ocean professionals and youth engagement experts. Moderated by Mark Haver, a Youth for the SDGs alumni, we heard from Matthew Hunter of the UN Youth Office, who shared insights on young people’s representation in policy, while Ximena Corrales, a Youth for the SDGs scholar from Mexico and Lexi Addison, and Early Career Ocean Professional, shared their experiences in the field. In a subsequent segment, participants from the “Set Sail for Dialogue” initiative onboard also shared their journey, arriving in New York City on the ship that morning as a delegation of European youth leaders in peace and dialogue.

Inaugural Ocean Stewardship Awards

The centerpiece of the evening was the presentation of the first-ever Peace Boat US Ocean Stewardship Awards for SDG14: Life BelowWater. These awards recognized leaders who have demonstrated exceptional commitment to “Reimagining our Shared Ocean,” in the categories listed below. Click here to learn more about their work.

Driving Business Leadership and Advocacy

The formal program concluded with discussions on the intersection of commerce and conservation. Michelle Li of Clever Carbon and Anna Dukor of Oceanic Global introduced “The Blue Standard,” a framework designed to guide business leadership toward a thriving ocean. This was followed by a deep-dive panel into women-led climate action featuring Helena Wasserman of Investors for Climate, Hannah Jurist-Schoen of Project Drawdown, and Zandile Ndhlovu, Founder of The Black Mermaid Foundation from South Africa.

Celebrating Connections and Creativity

The gala transitioned into a celebration on the outside pool deck, featuring music from Catori and Eli Goldstein of DJs 4 Climate Action and Future Sounds of Nature, and a unique sustainable fashion showcase by Junk Kouture and a series of designers, celebrating the creative intersection of art and environmental advocacy. Dozens of creatives shared their work for our oceans through live painting, booths, and art exhibitions, including the “Tidal Shifts” art activation. Together, this created a vital and energetic space for connection and collaboration – sure to continue beyond this evening into many more partnerships!