28/09/2022 | Professor Raimund Bleischwitz, Scientific Director of ZMT, will take over as head of the International Ocean Institute (IOI) Germany on 1 October. He succeeds Dr Werner Ekau, who is retiring at the end of September.
Antonella Vassallo, Managing Director of the IOI headquarters in Malta, confirmed the succession in a letter to ZMT: "We look forward to working with you to further enhance the strong and fruitful relationship with IOI Germany, knowing already that your professional and personal qualities will be an asset."
Vassallo paid tribute to Dr Ekau for his many years of service as Director of IOI Germany: "I also take the opportunity to warmly commend and thank Dr Ekau for the many years of dedication to the IOI. His work over this time has been invaluable and essential in its many forms."
Werner Ekau presided over IOI Germany since the opening of the German branch in 2002. For the fisheries biologist, working for the IOI was not only a wonderful experience, but also a great honour to support the important work of IOI founder Elisabeth Mann Borgese over many years. "Protecting the oceans is and remains an important task and challenge – perhaps even more so today than when the IOI was founded 50 years ago."
Werner Ekau and his successor Raimund Bleischwitz both agree: Elisabeth Mann Borgese's call "We must save the oceans if we are to save ourselves!" is just as relevant today as it was during her lifetime.
In his new role Raimund Bleischwitz sees Blue Economy and climate strategies as important items on the agenda of IOI Germany. “We increasingly recognize the value of oceans and coastal ecosystems for climate strategies. We will also enable Blue Economy opportunities for food, tourism and marine industries via education and skill training. The IOI is an excellent partner for such endeavor.“
About the International Ocean Institute (IOI)
The International Ocean Institute (IOI) is a world leading independent, non-governmental non-profit organisation conducting training and capacity building in Ocean Governance with the aim of creating knowledgeable future leaders.
IOI trains young and mid-career practitioners in contemporary approaches to coastal and ocean management, with an emphasis on the moral, ethical and legal values in Ocean Governance (equity and peaceful uses of the ocean).
In 1972, the IOI was founded by Professor Elisabeth Mann Borgese and its establishment was a milestone in the struggle to promote the concept of Pacem in Maribus (peace in the oceans) and the conservation of the ocean and its resources so that future generations can share in their benefits. The IOI enjoys special consultative status with the United Nations Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) and consultative status at some of UN’s Specialized Agencies, and works to uphold and expand the principle of the common heritage as defined in the United Nations Convention of the Law of the Sea. www.ioinst.org