Nor-Shipping 2009 speakers to addresses Climate Change
Todd Benjamin, CNN Presenter, Financial and Economic Expert, Moderator and Interviewer.
The 2009 Nor-Shipping Opening Conference on June 9 in Lillestrøm will address climate change, and include the participation of representatives of three key industry stakeholders: shipowners, cargo owners, and maritime regulatory authorities. The event will include presentations by speakers on specific topics, hosted by CNN’s former Financial Editor, Mr. Todd Benjamin.
Over his long career as a broadcast journalist, Mr. Benjamin has interviewed many of the most influential people in business and politics. “We are pleased to welcome Mr. Benjamin as host to the Nor-Shipping 2009 Opening Conference,” says Nor-Shipping’s Director, Tollef Schiander. “We believe Mr. Benjamin’s engaging, no-nonsense approach to interviews will add insight and excitement to a programme which includes some key industry decision makers.”
Benjamin says he welcomes the opportunity to challenge the industry on the critical issue of climate change. “The shipping industry certainly contributes to global warming and there is agreement that unified action is necessary, but there is significant debate as to how to reach the best solution,” says Benjamin. “My hope is that by the end of the Conference, we will have a clear sense of how the industry will face up to the climate change challenge.”
Other highlights of the event include the presentation of the Heyerdahl Award, given to the shipowner or shipping company which has made the most contributions to the improvement of the global environment.
“By focussing on this vital issue, we are confident that Nor-Shipping’s Opening Conference will inform, entertain and inspire delegates to think in new ways about the climate change challenge,” says Schiander. “We anticipate a memorable occasion.”
Confirmed participants include:
Ingar Skaug, CEO Wilhelm Wilhelmsen, Richard D. Fain, Chairman & CEO Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd., Efthimios Mitropolous, Secretary General of the IMO, Erik Solheim, Norway’s Minister of Environment and Development, Dimitri Giotakos, Cabinet Member in the EU’s Commission for the Environment Elisabeth Grieg, Chairman, Norwegain Shipowners’ Association and Sylvia Brustad, Norway’s Minister of Trade and Industry.
