Save Our Seas Initiative Launch Event

USAID launched the Save Our Seas Initiative on June 22, 2022 from 4:30 – 5:30 pm. This event was co-hosted by United States Senators the Honorable Dan Sullivan and the Honorable Sheldon Whitehouse.

Ocean plastic pollution has reached crisis level: every minute, more than an entire garbage truck of plastic makes its way into the world’s oceans—roughly 11 million metric tons annually. 

The Save Our Seas Initiative is USAID’s new flagship global initiative to combat the growing threat of ocean plastic pollution and is designed to support implementation of the landmark Save Our Seas Act 2.0 of 2020. 

The Save our Seas Initiative will build on and incorporate USAID’s ongoing ocean plastics programs, including Clean Cities, Blue Ocean and our blended finance partnership with Circulate Capital, while scaling these approaches within key countries and to additional geographies for greater impact. The Save Our Seas Initiative will work in 14 countries representing 40 percent of total global mismanaged plastic waste, with the goal of significantly reducing ocean plastic pollution by developing inclusive circular economies. 

Event Information:

Date: June 22, 2022

Time: 4:30 – 5:30 PM

The event featured remarks by:

• The Honorable Dan Sullivan (confirmed)
• The Honorable Sheldon Whitehouse (confirmed)
• USAID Administrator Samantha Power (confirmed)
• Additional Senators invited 
• Other senior officials from the private sector, U.S. Government, and partner governments