Thai Union To Carry Blue Ribbon On Human And Ocean Well-being ff

Thai Union Frozen Products (TUF) will be the first Thai-owned company to become part of a global strategy for aligning ocean health and human well-being. TUF President, Mr. Thirapong Chansiri, became the first and only Thai member invited to join the Blue Ribbon Panel (BRP).

The panel has been formed by the World Bank to advise the Global Partnership for Oceans (GPO). The BRP is made up of 21 global experts including some of the world’s largest seafood companies, government representatives, and non-profit organizations.

TUF employs around 32,000 people and has annual sales of over three billion dollars. It is regarded as the world’s largest tuna producer and one of the largest seafood producers globally. Its line of tuna brands includes market leaders Chicken of the Sea and John West.

A recent report from the panel has called for an integrated approach to ocean investment and highlights the necessary role of public-private partnerships.

Chansiri said: “Guaranteeing the ocean’s protection and its long term sustainability for generations to come is an exceptional venture to be a part of. To date, the industry has initiated and engaged in a number of projects that have brought about great benefits, but only a few have true universal impact like this one.”

The Blue Ribbon Panel has agreed that there is no quick resolution to the current ocean challenges and has proposed five principles to ensure effective GPO investments: sustainable livelihoods, social equity and food security; a healthy ocean; effective governance systems; long-term viability; and capacity building and innovation.

Mr. Ove Hoegh-Guldberg, Chair of Blue Ribbon said: “Getting to healthy oceans is a global challenge that needs concentrated effort of big and small business, government and science. Though they brought very different world views, everyone on the panel agreed that we can’t keep going with business-as-usual and all parts of society must be a part of the solution.”

Chansiri concluded: “on behalf of TUF and its employees worldwide, I am honored to be part of this highly worthwhile, global initiative and committed to being a part of the future solutions for our oceans and industry. It’s time to make the leap and change and give back our ocean its natural capital, even if we are only half ready.”