Ocean Summit 2026: deep currents – the forces moving our world

The Ocean sits at the centre of many of the world’s most pressing challenges. It supports communities, global trade, food systems, biodiversity, climate resilience, and the energy transition. It is also becoming increasingly relevant to geopolitical competition, resource security and investment strategy.

These themes framed Deutsche Bank and the Ocean Risk and Resilience Action Alliance (ORRAA)'s Ocean Summit 2026, held during London Climate Action Week amid a record-breaking heatwave. Subtitled “Deep Currents: The forces moving our world”, the event spanned ocean science, geopolitics, climate adaptation, entrepreneurship and blue finance, with speakers exploring how capital can help protect ocean ecosystems while supporting resilient, nature-positive economic growth.

Claudio de Sanctis, Head of the Private Bank, and fellow management board member Fabrizio Campelli, President and Head of Corporate Bank and Investment Bank, co-hosted the event with Karen Sack, Executive Director of ORRAA, the Ocean Risk and Resilience Action Alliance, for whom we are proud to act as Global Lead Banking Partner.

Why all Deutsche Bank divisions have an interest in the sustainable blue economy

In his opening speech, Claudio de Sanctis said: “Our focus on ocean conservation as a cause for clients to rally behind is grounded in simple realities. The Ocean covers two‑thirds of the planet and is fundamental to everything we do: it regulates the climate and sustains billions of people.”

Featuring eminent guest speakers, the summit reflected Deutsche Bank’s support for ORRAA’s #BackBlue initiative and its broader commitment to directing capital towards ocean conservation and the sustainable blue economy.

“We concentrate on where we believe we can add value – through education, advocacy and mobilising capital – leveraging our reach and close relationships with many of the world’s most influential families," said de Sanctis.

By bringing together perspectives from across the bank’s divisions and sustainability leadership, as well as specialists at the forefront of their fields, the event made clear how an integrated banking approach could help connect financing, risk management and investment insight across this complex, interconnected system – as well as bringing home the urgency of the ocean conservation crisis.

Why all investors should be mindful of the ocean economy

With over 80 percent of the world’s goods transported by sea, the ocean economy cannot be regarded as a niche issue for investors. This was a key issue highlighted by the event, which explored the importance of key maritime zones to global trade, energy flows and supply chains, as well as the broader strategic implications of ocean governance at a time when geopolitics, the energy transition and industry are increasingly intertwined.

Another area of focus was how ocean health is a systemic consideration for economies and societies around the world. While pressures such as pollution and overfishing intensify, the effects are expected to be felt through climate-related risks, food security, coastal resilience and the functioning of marine ecosystems on which many communities depend.

As Shirley Botchwey, Commonwealth Secretary-General, said in her keynote speech: “The ocean crisis is environmental, economic and political, [but] above all it is human.”

Another esteemed guest was His Excellency Surangel S. Whipps Jr., President of the Republic of Palau, a Pacific state at the frontline of the climate crisis.

“The real question tonight is whether the global financial system is prepared to value ocean stewardship properly, and invest in it accordingly,” he noted.

Perspectives throughout the event pointed to a clear direction of travel: moving from awareness to implementation. As the summit demonstrated, addressing the ocean challenge will require coordinated action and a sustained focus on translating ambition into practical, scalable solutions.

With special thanks to our guest speakers:

• His Excellency Surangel S. Whipps Jr. – President of the Republic of Palau
• The Honourable Shirley Botchwey – Commonwealth Secretary General, Commonwealth Secretariat
• The Right Honourable Dame Jacinda Ardern – Former Prime Minister of New Zealand (2017 - 2023)
• Her Excellency Karen-Mae C. Hill, OBE – High Commissioner of Antigua and Barbuda to the UK
• His Excellency Jovilisi Suveinakama – High Commissioner of the Republic of Fiji to the UK
• The Honourable Jane Lubchenco, Ph.D – Distinguished Professor, Oregon State University
• Dame Amelia Chilcott Fawcett, DBE CVO – Co-Chair of International Advisory Panel on Biodiversity Credits, Non-Executive Director, State Street Corporation
• Ruth Davis, OBE – UK Special Representative for Nature
• Lisa Forbes – Chief Strategy Officer and General Counsel, Builders Vision
• Michael Malewicz – Senior Advisor, ESG Engagement and Sustainable Finance, Ørsted
• Ben Medland – Founder and Chief Executive Officer, DRIFT Energy
• Laila Nordine – Senior Manager, Strategic Clients Relationships, International Finance Corporation
• Will Pearson – Co-founder and Chief Executive Officer, Ocean Bottle
• Dr. Serge Raemaekers – Executive Director, ABALOBI
• Adam Root – Founder and Chief Executive Officer, Matter
• Fatih Turan – Director General, Environmental Management, Ministry of Environment, Urbanisation & Climate Change Republic of Türkiye
• Suresh Yadav – Senior Director, Climate Change and Oceans Directorate, Commonwealth Secretariat