Turning the Tide
What if a race could help rewrite the rules of ocean governance? In this episode of Voice of Commons, broadcast from the United Nations Ocean Conference in Nice, host Giulia Foscari speaks with Richard Brisius, President of The Ocean Race, about how one of the world’s toughest sailing competitions has evolved into a platform for ocean science, literacy, and rights. Together, they explore the Charter of Fundamental Rights of the Ocean, the symbolism of the Nature’s Baton — recently passed by Ambassador Peter Thomson to the Mayor of Nice during the Ocean Rise & Coastal Cities Coalition Summit — and the growing call for a Universal Declaration of Ocean Rights. From microplastic sampling to fair play on the high seas, this is a conversation about sport, stewardship, and turning the Ocean’s tide.
Richard Brisius is a passionate Ocean advocate dedicated to the restoration and sustainability of our planet's marine ecosystems. With over 35 years of Round the World Racing experience, he is the President of The Ocean Race — the world’s toughest team challenge at sea, now transformed into a global platform for ocean science, diplomacy, and rights. He is the co-founder of the Relay4Nature with United Nations Special Envoy for the Ocean Peter Thomson and is a member of the World Economic Forum’s Friends of Ocean Action. Under his leadership, The Ocean Race launched the Charter of Ocean Rights calling for a “Universal Declaration of Ocean Rights”. He previously served as CEO of Sweden’s 2026 Olympic bid.
Richard Brisius was born at 323 parts per million carbon dioxide in the Atmosphere.
Richard Brisius is a passionate Ocean advocate dedicated to the restoration and sustainability of our planet's marine ecosystems. With over 35 years of Round the World Racing experience, he is the President of The Ocean Race — the world’s toughest team challenge at sea, now transformed into a global platform for ocean science, diplomacy, and rights. He is the co-founder of the Relay4Nature with United Nations Special Envoy for the Ocean Peter Thomson and is a member of the World Economic Forum’s Friends of Ocean Action. Under his leadership, The Ocean Race launched the Charter of Ocean Rights calling for a “Universal Declaration of Ocean Rights”. He previously served as CEO of Sweden’s 2026 Olympic bid.
Richard Brisius was born at 323 parts per million carbon dioxide in the Atmosphere.
Fair Play at Sea and the Universal Declaration of Ocean Rights
Richard Brisius hosted by Giulia Foscari.
Broadcast from the Voice of Commons’ Planetary Embassy, in Venice.
VOICE OF COMMONS, a project by the agency for change UNLESS.
Launched as a Special Project of the 19th Venice Architecture Exhibition of La Biennale di Venezia, under the Patronage of UNESCO, with the recognition of The European Space Agency and endorsed by United Nations Decade of Ocean Science for Sustainable Development.
Sound Identity UNLESS & PASE Platform, in collaboration with Limn.AI
Sound Production PASE Platform.
Broadcast from the Voice of Commons’ Planetary Embassy, in Venice.
VOICE OF COMMONS, a project by the agency for change UNLESS.
Launched as a Special Project of the 19th Venice Architecture Exhibition of La Biennale di Venezia, under the Patronage of UNESCO, with the recognition of The European Space Agency and endorsed by United Nations Decade of Ocean Science for Sustainable Development.
Sound Identity UNLESS & PASE Platform, in collaboration with Limn.AI
Sound Production PASE Platform.