Former OAS Chief Cesar Gaviria Hosts Top Latin American, U.S. Business Leaders - Oceana USA

Former OAS Chief Cesar Gaviria Hosts Top Latin American, U.S. Business Leaders

Announces Opening of Oceana New York City Office on Eve of World Oceans Day

Press Release Date: June 7, 2006

Location: NEW YORK CITY

Contact:

Dustin Cranor, APR | email: dcranor@oceana.org | tel: 954.348.1314

 

Cesar Gaviria, former Colombian president and secretary-general of the Organization of American States, hosted a private gathering of top Latin American and U.S. business leaders at his Manhattan home on June 7 to rally support for Oceana, the international ocean conservation group of which he is a board member.

“It is in everyone’s interest to keep the oceans healthy, not only for the ecological balance of the planet, but for the economic future of millions of people around the globe whose business depends on plentiful seafood for generations to come,” said Oceana CEO Andrew Sharpless, who addressed the power crowd.

The opening of Oceana’s sixth office in the United States, the New York City office for the Northeast, was announced at the 6-9 p.m. cocktail party. The private event at President Gaviria’s home was scheduled on the eve of World Oceans Day, the internationally observed celebration of the oceans, which cover 71 percent of the planet’s surface.

“World-class business leaders have the unique vantage point that allows them to see that the oceans can be a source of wealth now and in the future but only if we extract those resources in a sustainable manner,” said President Gaviria, who joined Oceana’s board of directors in 2005. “Oceana is spearheading a struggle to protect ocean habitat and marine wildlife, for the benefit of all. I am hopeful that we can harness the know-how and reach of the New York-based business leadership to support that struggle.”

Among invited guests were headliners in the world of business and politics.

Washington, D.C.-based Oceana also has offices in Juneau, Alaska; Monterey and Los Angeles, Calif.; and Portland, Ore. Oceana’s overseas offices are in Chile, Spain and Belgium.