Paul Holthus founded the World Ocean Council (WOC) – the Global Blue Economy Business and Investment Organization – the international private sector leadership alliance on ocean sustainable development. The WOC brings together tourism, shipping, fisheries, aquaculture, offshore energy, submarine cables, ports, and other sectors for global business community leadership, collaboration and action on the future of the ocean.

In 2010, he launched the annual WOC Sustainable Ocean Summit (SOS), the premier high-level global ocean business and investment event on “Corporate Ocean Responsibility”.

Paul created the WOC Ocean Investment Platform - the global structure/process linking investors, ocean industries and innovators, including the “Ocean Investor Roundtable”. “Global Blue Economy Innovation Initiatives Network” and annual Global Blue Finance Summit (BlueFIN).

Paul is a globally recognized leader in ocean, coastal and island sustainable development and environment. He has held senior positions with the UN Environment Programme, IUCN, The Nature Conservancy and other international organizations. He has worked in 30+ countries, with companies, communities, industry associations, UN agencies, NGOs and governments on ocean sustainability solutions.

Paul has advanced degrees in marine resources and international business, was a Fulbright scholar in Australia, is an East-West Center alum and has spent much of his life living and working in small islands.

He is a regular speaker at international business, investment and intergovernmental events, was invited to be on the UN Secretary General’s ocean advisory panel for Rio+20 and is the only global ocean industry organization representative invited to address the UN General Assembly.