Nobel laureate Paul M. Romer targets Nor-Shipping Ocean Leadership Conference
Paul M. Romer, a recipient of the 2018 Nobel Memorial Prize in Economics, has been confirmed as the latest high profile speaker for Nor-Shipping’s Ocean Leadership Conference on 4 June, say the event organizers.
Romer, a former Chief Economist at the World Bank, will address ways to deliver long-term economic growth related to the ocean space, providing valuable insights and a unique global perspective.
Romer’s arrival gives a further indication of Nor-Shipping’s ambition to fine-tune its traditional opening conference into an event gathering true leaders within the maritime, ocean, business and public arenas. He joins a list of participants that so far boasts IMO Secretary General Kitack Lim, Norwegian Prime Minister Erna Solberg, Lise Kingo, CEO of the UN Global Compact, Ann-Christin Andersen, TechnipFMC’s Chief Digital Officer, and technologist Ramez Naam, Chair of Energy & Environmental Systems at Singularity University.
The conference will, Nor-Shipping Director Per Martin Tanggaard says, fire a starting gun for a week of activity to help support, define and develop the maritime industry’s future within the rapidly changing ocean space.
“Paul Romer is a world respected authority, renowned for his work to show how knowledge and innovation can help business tackle challenges and build enduring economic growth,” Tanggaard comments. “He brings a powerful message to this must-attend gathering – one that will help the audience decipher growing trends, devise new solutions and realise future opportunities.
“Nor-Shipping is here to assist our core maritime audience as they look to achieve sustainable success in the ocean environment. We’re more than delighted that Paul Romer is now on board to contribute towards that vital objective, sharing his genius and, no doubt, delivering food for thought for all of us. I can’t think of a better way to get our programme of activity started.”
Romer is a pioneer of ‘endogenous growth theory’, whereby investment in human capital, innovation and the development of knowledge unlock economic growth. He shared the 2018 Nobel prize with fellow US-born economist William Nordhaus.
His appearance at Nor-Shipping will involve a high-level keynote presentation and more informal ‘conversation with’ discussion. The Ocean Leadership Conference takes place in the Thon Hotel Arena Lillestrøm, sitting adjacent to Nor-Shipping’s main 21,000m2 exhibition space.
“We’ve focused on attracting speakers of the highest calibre, across a diverse range of fields, to create a new epicentre for ocean discussion, collaboration and strategy,” Tanggaard concludes. “Access to, and careful management of, ocean resources can be the key to unlocking future prosperity for not just our industry, but the world. That demands the greatest minds and the greatest ambitions. Both of those will be in attendance at Nor-Shipping 2019, your arena for ocean solutions.”
More names are due to be announced for the Ocean Leadership Conference in the coming weeks. In addition to this event, Nor-Shipping will also offer a programme of panel debates, round table discussions, presentations and think tank talks. These will be held within the exhibition arena at Lillestrøm (including in the newly rebranded Hall A, the Blue Economy Hall) and at venues across Oslo.
Nor-Shipping 2019 takes place from 04 to 07 June 2019. In total over 30,000 key decision makers are expected to attend the international event week, with around 1000 exhibiting companies showcasing the very latest products, services and innovations.