Panerai and the Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission of UNESCO (IOC-UNESCO) are partnering to develop ocean literacy activities in the framework of the UN Decade of Ocean Science for Sustainable Development (2021-2030).
By supporting the Ocean Decade, Panerai reinforces its commitment to a sustainable environment and a healthy ocean. The company’s engagement is couched on a rich heritage of respect for the ocean in the development of instruments for the Italian Navy and modern-day ocean explorers.
The partnership between IOC-UNESCO and Panerai will develop a programme of work around ocean literacy to ensure that citizens, stakeholders and institutions understand the their interaction with the ocean and apply this knowledge to develop transformative solutions toward building a more sustainable, equitable society.
Though the ocean is powerful and immense, it is also vulnerable to a multitude of environmental threats. To date, over 40% of the ocean’s surface is strongly affected by multiple drivers, and 66% is estimated to be experiencing increasing cumulative impacts mainly from land- and human-based sources.
From 2021 to 2030, the Ocean Decade will promote science-based management of the ocean and marine resources to achieve the goals of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, bringing together expertise from a vast body of disciplines, industries and actors to move from the ocean we have to the ocean we want.
The UNESCO-Panerai contribution will aim to invest in the creation of resources and the organization of activities to enable citizens to embrace a more responsible mindset and behavior towards the ocean and its preservation. This will center around developing educational and research initiatives, providing values and knowledge and enhancing an active community of ocean literacy professionals and communicators.
“Every part of our organization, from our brand ambassadors to staff will be engaged in this movement. Panerai has always been known for its pioneering role and in this case, we want to set new boundaries in terms of environmental responsibility and overcome them, being one of the first mover in the watch industry to raise awareness towards such an important topic and change the game. Our goal is to become a key player, not only an example for our competitors, but also for our suppliers, our customers and all the people that are involved in Panerai on a worldwide level. As a company, we have the responsibility to be active and support the urgent need for change and help protecting our Planet, empowering everyone to take direct action to take care of it. The more we can work together, the better” says CEO Jean-Marc Pontroué.
“The next ten years will be crucial to reverse the decline of ocean health worldwide.The Ocean Decade aims to create a transparent and accessible ocean whereby all nations, stakeholders and citizens have access to ocean data and information. To this purpose, education will be at the heart of this partnership with Panerai. Together, we will develop ocean literacy activities, helping to weave together the social, economic and environmental dimensions of sustainable development.” explains Vladimir Ryabinin, Executive Secretary of IOC-UNESCO. “We are pleased to work with Panerai, accelerating together progress for the Sustainable Development Goal 14, Life Below Water, and SDG 4, Quality Education.”
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PANERAI
Founded in Florence in 1860 as a workshop, shop and school of watchmaking, for many decades Panerai supplied the Italian Navy in general, and its specialist diving corps in particular, with precision instruments. The designs developed by Panerai in that time, including the Luminor and Radiomir, were covered by the Military Secrets Act for many years and were launched on the international market only after the brand was acquired by the Richemont Group in 1997. Today Panerai develops and crafts its movements and watches at its Neuchâtel manufacture. The latter are a seamless melding of Italian design flair and history with Swiss horological expertise. Panerai watches are sold across the world through an exclusive network of distributors and Panerai boutiques.
THE INTERGOVERNMENTAL OCEANOGRAPHIC COMMISSION OF UNESCO
The Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission of UNESCO (IOC-UNESCO) promotes international cooperation in marine sciences to improve management of the ocean, coasts and marine resources. The IOC enables its 150 Member States to work together by coordinating programmes in capacity development, ocean observations and services, ocean science and tsunami warning. The work of the IOC contributes to the mission of UNESCO to promote the advancement of science and its applications to develop knowledge and capacity, key to economic and social progress, the basis of peace and sustainable development.