The opening ceremony included remarks by Peter Launsky-Tieffenthal, United Nations Under-Secretary-General for Communications and Public Information and master of ceremonies; Patricia O’Brien, United Nations Under-Secretary-General for Legal Affairs, the legal counsel; Adam Bossi, Blancpain U.S. brand manager; Alain Delamuraz, Blancpain vice-president and head of marketing; and Dr. Enric Sala, National Geographic In-Residence Explorer for the Pristine Seas Expeditions with Blancpain.
The “Oceans” exhibition highlights the ecological and economic importance of healthy oceans and the need to protect their fragile ecology and submarine life. Speaking about the importance of observing World Oceans Day, for which the United Nations General Assembly in 2008 designated June 8, Ms. Patricia O’Brien explained that “the theme of World Oceans Day chosen for 2013 is ‘oceans and people,’ to highlight the important role oceans play in our lives. The oceans and seas provide us with food, minerals, employment, tourism, transport possibilities, energy sources and potentially much more.”
Blancpain’s interest in the underwater world dates from the creation of its Fifty Fathoms watch in 1953. As Delamuraz said, “Blancpain contributed to the discovery of the ocean and to our knowledge of the underwater world. Today, Blancpain continues its commitment by supporting scientific and conservation projects around the globe such as the Pristine Seas Expedition conducted by National Geographic explorer Enric Sala and his team.” Blancpain also thanked the sixteen photographers related to “Edition Fifty Fathoms,” whose work is featured in the Oceans exhibit. In addition to the photographers, videos from National Geographic and Projet Gombessa from Laurent Ballesta were displayed.
