As well as warm words of welcome and appreciation from Dr Awni Behnam on behalf of the IOI and from Professor Vella from the part of the University of Malta; Ms Amina Boumaour, representative of the IOI training programme participants gave a brief message and promised along with her colleagues:
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Elisabeth Mann Borgese (April 24, 1918 - February 8, 2002), founded the International Ocean Institute (IOI) in 1972 as a knowledge-based non-governmental, non-profit international organization devoted to the sustainable development of the oceans. The IOI works to uphold and expand the principles enshrined in the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea for the benefit of humankind as a whole, with particular consideration of the poor. The mission of the International Ocean Institute is to promote education, training and research to enhance the peaceful uses of ocean space and its resources, their management and regulation as well as the protection and conservation of the marine environment, guided by the principle of the Common Heritage of Mankind.
In her memory the Board of Governance of IOI decided to award the Elisabeth Mann Borgese medal to recognise outstanding actions in favour of our global oceans. Past notable recipients of the EMB medal have been:
- Her Royal Highness Princess Maha Chakri Sirindorn of Thailand
- Kofi A. Annan, H.E. Secretary General of UN
- President Emeritus of Portugal, Prof. Mario Soares
- President Emeritus of Malta, Prof. Guido De Marco
- The Hon. Mr Geoff Regan, Minister of Fisheries and Oceans of Canada
- Dr Joseph Borg, former EU Commissioner for Maritime Affairs and Fisheries