Nor-Shipping has confirmed its Ocean Leadership conference will be closed by John Kerry, the US special presidential envoy for climate.
The Norwegian shipping event said the 79-year-old will deliver the closing address on 6 June in Oslo.
The former secretary of state and Democratic presidential candidate will share the stage with other key global figures including Andrew Forrest, the founder and executive chairman of Fortescue Metals Group, and Joseph Stiglitz, Nobel laureate in economics and former chief economist at the World Bank.
In his role as US president Joe Biden’s climate champion, Kerry will address business leaders from around the world on the need to work together today to enable a sustainable tomorrow, balancing commercial opportunity with environmental ambition, Nor-Shipping said.
“We are honoured to confirm that John F Kerry, for so long a leading light in the world of international politics and diplomacy, has accepted the invitation to speak at next week’s Nor-Shipping,” said the conference's director Sidsel Norvik.
“As one of the driving forces behind the successful negotiation of the Paris Climate Agreement, special presidential envoy Kerry is acutely aware of the need for sustainable ocean development, understanding that the decision makers gathering at Nor-Shipping have a vital role to play in that process," she added.
Kerry was sworn in as the first ever US climate envoy in 2021.
Biden promised he would “have a seat at every table around the world” in his quest to combat climate change.
The Nor-Shipping line-up also includes Guy Platten, secretary general of the International Chamber of Shipping, DNB boss Kjerstin Braathen and Remi Eriksen, CEO of class society DNV.
Knut Arild Hareide, the director general of shipping and navigation at the Norwegian Maritime Directorate, will also speak alongside Kerry to close the event.
