Scaling Ocean Solutions Through Shared Action on Day 2 of OceanX Summit

The first day of OceanX Summit presented a powerful call to action: uniting science, innovation, and storytelling to safeguard the ocean, our planet’s greatest natural resource. On the second day, the focus shifted to action – leveraging the collective expertise of the Summit's global network to spark bold ideas, forge new collaborations, and accelerate innovation for ocean protection. 

OceanX Co-Founders Mark Dalio and Ray Dalio opened the second day by framing the Summit as a step toward ocean stewardship. Mark emphasized OceanX’s mission to collect data, convene governments, and inspire the public through science and storytelling. Ray reflected on his lifelong inspiration from Jacques Cousteau, highlighting the role of exploration, relationships, and media in making ocean science accessible, noting that “the ocean is by far the greatest natural resource — 72% of the Earth’s surface — and the fact that we are all coming together is a momentous moment.” 

Mr. Teo Chee Hean, Deputy Chairman of Temasek Holdings and former Deputy Prime Minister of Singapore, delivered a keynote linking climate governance, ocean health, and Southeast Asia’s global leadership role. He stressed the urgent need for action, observing that “climate change is not a political issue — nature will decide for us, and nature is speaking very loudly”. 

Steering the Blue Economy 

Scaling ocean solutions requires more than good intentions — it demands collaboration across philanthropy, science, policy, and law. Tom Hall, Head of Social Impact & Philanthropy at UBS Group AG, and CEO of UBS Optimus Foundation Network, emphasized the need to “create investible pathways to solve these issues and scale up solutions, and ensure our oceans are fit for purpose.” ” From a regional perspective, Budisatria Djiwandono, Deputy Chairperson in Indonesia, highlighted the country’s ambitious commitment: “Indonesia is committed to protect up to 30% of its oceans as MPA by 2035,” showing that local leadership and community stewardship are vital to turning vision into action. Together, the panel underscored that coordinated, multi-level collaboration is key to scaling effective and sustainable ocean conservation. 

Harnessing Global Partnerships 

The second panel highlighted that scaling ocean solutions requires a systems approach, where philanthropy, law, science, and policy work in tandem. Panelists emphasized that collaboration, trust in science, and community ownership are essential to creating lasting impact.  

Scaling ocean solutions depends on the strategic combination of capital, collaboration, and community engagement. Benny Lee, CEO of the Tanoto Foundation, emphasized that “science and data are the currency of trust,” explaining how credible research underpins philanthropy and private sector investment. Martin Visbeck, CEO of OceanQuest, added that “the ocean unites us — the same ocean is serving all of us. Even at the heights of political tension, music, arts and science are always there to connect humanity,” highlighting the shared responsibility across nations and disciplines.

Kathlyn Tan, Principal of the Rumah Group and Director of the Rumah Foundation, stressed that “it is about ensuring there is pride and ownership of the work that we do among the local communities, so that there is longevity and lasting impact,” reinforcing the importance of local stewardship. Together, the panelists demonstrated that effective ocean conservation requires not just funding and expertise, but trust, collaboration, and inclusive engagement to create sustainable impact. 

OceanX × OceanQuest MOU 

The second day of Summit closed with a milestone: the signing of a new MOU between OceanX and OceanQuest, committing to advancing ocean education and literacy across regions. Building on their Around Africa expedition, the partnership will connect students from the Middle East to Asia through digital storytelling, science, and cultural heritage. As Mark Dalio, Co-Founder of OceanX, emphasized: “The best way we can bring countries together is through education — starting with students themselves.” 

OceanX Summit is underscoring that lasting ocean solutions require an integrated approach — aligning climate ambition with governance, using philanthropy to catalyze larger-scale finance, and pairing science with storytelling to inspire global action. The path forward is clear: collective action, grounded in inclusivity and imagination, is the key to building a sustainable ocean future.