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In his opening address at the Sustainable Ocean Summit 2015, held in Singapore this week from 9-11 November, Andrew Tan, chief executive of the Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore (MPA), called for an integrated approach that brings together the science, research, technology and different disciplines to understand the various eco-systems within the oceans and uncover more of the nexus between land and sea and how each affects the other.

Tan's speech also underlined four principles to ensure an enduring blue economy that fulfils the twin goals of growth and sustainability: good governance, long-term vision, good execution, and strong partnerships.

Organised by The World Ocean Council, an international, cross-sectoral business alliance on corporate ocean responsibility, this year's Sustainable Ocean Summit has brought together the diverse global ocean business community in Singapore to discuss the multi-faceted issues surrounding the theme of 'Sustainable development and growing the blue economy - the next 50 years'. The theme recognises the 50th anniversary of Singapore and its growth as a major maritime nation.

Commenting on the theme of this year's conference, Tan said: "Singapore will do its part to support the global blue economy as a port city with a long maritime heritage, a long-serving council member of the International Maritime Organisation since 1993 and as permanent observer on the Arctic Council. Through such platforms as the Sustainable Ocean Summit, we hope to foster greater cooperation among all stakeholders. We believe that an integrated approach is necessary for good ocean governance."

A link to Andrew Tan's full speech has been provided below.

Speech by Andrew Tan, chief executive of the Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore (MPA), at the 2015 Sustainable Ocean Summit