The former US Secretary of State John Kerry is to be a keynote speaker at Ireland's flagship blue economy conference in Cork.

'Our Ocean Wealth' will take place at Cork City Hall on June 9th and 10th.

Mr Kerry is visiting Ireland to share his insight on climate change and the action required to sustainably and effectively manage our oceans to ensure the health of our planet.

The summit, sponsored by PWC, will welcome more than 30 representatives from island states around the world.

This will include senior political representatives from island nations in the Pacific, the Caribbean, and the Indian Ocean - as well as more than 500 national and international delegates.

The UN Secretary General's Special Envoy for the Ocean, Peter Thomson will also attend.

An Tánaiste Simon Coveney said: "As an island nation, Ireland is committed to managing our ocean wealth in a sustainable and efficient way, and we have so much in common with island nations around the globe.

"I am particularly delighted to welcome representatives from island nations to the Our Ocean Wealth Summit in Cork this year, and look forward to important and fruitful discussions on the balance required to manage our collective blue economies while safeguarding our most precious natural resources."

Cork City Hall | Image: ouroceanwealth.ie

Agriculture Minister Michael Creed added: "The shared natural resources of our seas and the global oceans transcend national boundaries.

"We must continue to ensure they are sustainably managed, developed and protected, for the benefit of this and future generations.

"I look forward to the opportunity that the Our Ocean Wealth Summit 2019 provides, as a platform for the small island nations of the world to speak on the particular and acute challenges they are facing and to learn from them."

With a particular focus on international cooperation, the summit will bring together a unique mix of national experts and policy makers with representatives from island nations.

Participants will discuss the unique challenges faced by island nations, historical links and new partnerships.

Marine Institute CEO Peter Heffernan said: "The Our Ocean Wealth Summit is a flagship conference, not only for the marine sector but for the economy in general.

"The summit brings together engineering, technology, energy and food sectors, and provides enormous opportunities for collaboration and innovation in business.

"We are looking forward to hosting Our Ocean Wealth Summit in Cork this year, and welcome business attendees from every sector to engage for success and sustainability in our blue economy."