Provisional Programme

Oceans and Human Health

The relationship between humanity and the world’s oceans is characterized by a deep and enduring interdependence. Oceans perform essential functions for the stability of the Earth system: they regulate climate, sustain fundamental biogeochemical cycles, contribute to food security, and host an extraordinary reservoir of biodiversity. For these reasons, the protection of marine ecosystems has become an increasing priority within scientific agendas and global governance processes. This commitment is reflected in the United Nations 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, particularly in the Sustainable Development Goals related to the protection of natural and marine ecosystems, and has been further strengthened by the adoption of the BBNJ Agreement (High Seas Treaty), which reinforces international cooperation for the conservation of biodiversity in areas beyond national jurisdiction. In recent years, growing attention has been devoted to the interconnections between ocean health and human health. Marine ecosystems influence several environmental determinants of health, from water quality to food security, while also offering new opportunities for biomedical research. This forum aims to foster interdisciplinary dialogue among scientific institutions and policymakers, placing human health at the center of reflection on the relationship between oceans and society, in line with One Health and Planetary Health perspectives, and to strengthen scientific cooperation and science diplomacy.

Rome, June 8^th, 2026

organized by

ISTITUTO SUPERIORE DI SANITÀ

National Centre for Water Safety

&

Directorate General

POCCHIARI HALL

08:45– 09:15 Registration

09:15 Opening Ceremony

Prof. Rocco Bellantone – President of National Institute of Health (ISS)

Prof. Andrea Lenzi – President of National Research Council (CNR)

Lt. Gen. Vincenzo Aglieri – Chief of the Italian Navy Health Inspectorate

Prof. Enrico Alleva – Academician of Lincei National Academy

10:00-10:15 Keynote Lecture:

The Future of Ocean & Human Health: Science, Risks and Global Opportunities
Andrea Piccioli – Director General of ISS

10:15 – 12:15

SESSION I
“The Ocean’s Role in Safeguarding Human Health”

Moderators: Luca Lucentini, Giusi Condorelli

Sandro Demaio –WHO Asia-Pacific Centre for Environment and Health (WHO ACE)

William Gerwick – SCRIPPS Institution of Oceanography, University of California (UCSD)

Fang Yingxia – Second Institute of Oceanography Ministry of Natural Resources of China

Jesse H. Ausubel – Program for the Human Environment at Rockefeller University

Atila Uras – United Nations Environment Programme -Mediterranean Action Plan (UNEP -MAP)

Mario Sprovieri –Marine Science Institute (CNR-ISMAR)

Pedro Flombaum – Centro de Investigaciones del Mar y la Atmósfera y Consejo Nacional de Investigaziones Cientificas y Técnicas of Buenos Aires

Atanas Palazov* - Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission (UNESCO-IOC)

Fulvio Ferrara – National Centre for Water Safety, National Institute of Health (ISS)

12:15 – 12:30 Coffee break

12:30- 13:00

MINISTERIAL REMARKS

Prof. Orazio Schillaci – Italian Minister of Health

On. Giorgio Pichetto Fratin * – Italian Minister of the Environment and Energy Security

Group Photo

13:00 – 13:30 Setting the Scene

Maria Rosaria Campitiello - Head of the Department of Prevention, Research, and Health Emergencies - Ministry of Health
Giovanni Leonardi - Head of the Department of Human Health, Animal Health, Ecosystem (One Health) and International Relations - Ministry of Health

Video contributions from Italian associations and research centres

13:30 – 14:30 Vin d’Honneur at the Monumental Garden of ISS

14:45– 16:00

SESSION II

“Ocean and Human Health: Challenges and Innovations for a Resilient Future”

Moderators: Giuseppe Bortone, Giuseppina La Rosa

Riyong Kim – European Environmental Agency (EEA)

Manuel Barange – Fisheries and Aquaculture Division, FAO

Daniele Iudicone – Anton Dohrn Zoological Station of Naples (SZN)

Rear Adm. Lorenzo Rondinini – Italian Navy Health Inspectorate

Marco Giovine – Sea Study Centre, University of Genoa

Rose Mwebaza *– Regional Representative for UNEP Africa

Maria Siclari * – National System for Environmental Protection and Research (ISPRA)

16:00 – 16:30

CONCLUSION

"Next Steps on Ocean and Human Health"

William Gerwick – SCRIPPS Institution of Oceanography, University of California (UCSD)

Jesse H. Ausubel –Program for the Human Environment at Rockefeller University

16:30 Closing Remarks

*Invited

Speakers and Chairpersons

• Jesse H. Ausubel - Director of Program for the Human Environment at the Rockefeller University, USA
• Manuel Barange - Director of the Fisheries and Aquaculture Division, Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, Assistant Director General of the FAO
• Giuseppe Bortone - Director of the Environment and Health Department, National Institute of Health (ISS), Rome, Italy
• Giusi Condorelli - Head of the Internationalization and Promotion of Biomedical Research Infrastructures, Ministry of Health, Rome, Italy
• Sandro Demaio - Director and Head of the WHO Asia-Pacific Centre for Environment and Health (WHO ACE)
• Fulvio Ferrara - Head of the Coordination, Management and Data Access Area, National Centre for Water Safety, National Institute of Health (ISS), Rome, Italy
• Pedro Flombaum - Director of Centro de Investigaciones del Mar y la Atmósfera y Consejo Nacional de Investigaziones Cientificas y Técnicas
• William Gerwick - SCRIPPS Institution of Oceanography, University of California (UCSD), USA
• Marco Giovine - Sea Study Centre, University of Genoa, Italy
• Daniele Iudicone - Anton Dohrn Zoological Station (SZN), Naples, Italy
• Riyong Kim *- Heads of the Department of Environment and Sustainability, European Environmental Agency (EEA)
• Giuseppina La Rosa - Head of the Microbiological and Virological Risk Area, National Centre for Water Safety, National Institute of Health (ISS), Rome, Italy
• Luca Lucentini - Director of the National Centre for Water Safety, National Institute of Health (ISS), Rome, Italy
• Rose Mwebaza * - Director and Regional Representative for UNEP Africa
• Atanas Palazov * - Vice Chairperson of the Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission (UNESCO-IOC)
• Andrea Piccioli - Director General of National Institute of Health (ISS), Rome, Italy
• Lorenzo Rondinini - Italian navy Haelth Inspectorate
• Maria Siclari * - Director General of National System for Environmental Protection and Research (ISPRA)
• Mario Sprovieri - Director of Marine Science Institute (CNR-ISMAR)
• Atila Uras - Senior Scientific and Technical Programme Officer UNEP-MAP
• Fang Yingxia - Director of Second Institute of Oceanography, Ministry of Natural Resources of China

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SCIENTIFIC COORDINATOR

Luca Lucentini, Director of the National Centre for Water Safety, National Institute of Health (ISS), Rome, Italy

scientific BOARD

Fulvio Ferrara, Coordination, Management and Data Access Area at the National Water Safety Centre, National Institute of Health (ISS), Rome, Italy

Flavia Riccardo, Coordinator of the External Relations Office and Centre for International Affairs, National Institute of Health (ISS), Rome, Italy

Enrico Alleva, Academician of the National Academy of the Lincei, Rome, Italy

SCIENTIFIC Secretariat

Fulvio Ferrara, Coordination, Management and Data Access Area at the National Water Safety Centre, National Institute of Health (ISS), Rome, Italy fulvio.ferrara@iss.it 

Anna Muratore, Coordination, Management and Data Access Area at the National Water Safety Centre, National Institute of Health (ISS), Rome, Italy   info_ohhforum@iss.it 

Lorenza Notargiacomo, Coordination, Management and Data Access Area at the National Water Safety Centre, National Institute of Health, Rome, Italy, info_ohhforum@iss.it 

Organizing Secretariat

Federica D'Antonio, Directorate General, National Institute of Health, Rome, Italy,  direzione.generale@iss.it 

Catia Buschittari , Directorate General,  National Institute of Health, Rome, Italy, direzione.generale@iss.it 

Loredana Palone, Directorate General,  National Institute of Health, Rome, Italy, direzione.generale@iss.it 

TECHNICAL SECRETARIAT AND INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS  

Benedetta Pieri, Technical Secretariat and External Relations, Directorate General,  National Institute of Health, Rome, Italy, info_ohhforum@iss.it  

Giulia Sabatini, Directorate General,  National Institute of Health, Rome, Italy, info_ohhforum@iss.it 

GENERAL INFORMATION

Conference venue

Istituto Superiore di Sanità, Aula Pocchiari - Viale Regina Elena 299, Roma

The meeting will be held online through the Microsoft Teams videoconference platform.

Official language

The official language is English. Simultaneous translation will not be available.

Target audience

The conference is addressed to staff from research bodies and institutions operating in and interested in the health and environmental sectors.

Maximum number of attendants: 200 in presence and 1000 remotely. When the maximum capacity of the conference room is reached, it will only be possible to register to participate remotely.

Registration and selection

Attendants are kindly requested to fill out the registration form available online a few weeks before the event at the following link: https://forms.office.com/e/1h530WJHUP

Certificates

Upon request, participants who have attended at least 75% of the event and completed the online satisfaction survey will receive a certificate of participation, which will be sent by email.

For further information, please contact the Organising Secretariat at the following e-mail address: info_ohhforum@iss.it