Mirpuri Foundation Conservation Forum 2025

Tourism, aviation, and conservation take the stage in Cascais

On July 4, 2025, the Mirpuri Foundation, in partnership with Hi Fly, will host the 2025 Conservation Forum at Cascais Marina. Centered on “The Role of Tourism and Aviation in Global Conservation,” the forum brings together international leaders to discuss how two high-impact industries can advance sustainability.

Held alongside the Mirpuri Foundation Sailing Trophy, the forum aims to spark practical action through dialogue, innovation showcases, and case studies.

“As climate urgency increases, cross-sector collaboration becomes essential. This forum is a call to align innovation, policy, and industry leadership to protect our planet.” - Paulo Mirpuri, Founder and President of the Mirpuri Foundation

The Lowdown

• Name: Mirpuri Foundation Conservation Forum 2025

• Date & Location: July 4, 2025 | Cascais Marina, Portugal

• Hosted by: Mirpuri Foundation with Hi Fly

Forum Agenda

9:30 a.m. – Welcome Coffee

10:15 a.m. – Opening Remarks

Ana Agostinho, Advisor, Mirpuri Foundation

"Net-zero travel: What needs to change?"

Airlines, airports, and regulators on decarbonizing aviation

10:25 a.m. – Panel 1: Net Zero Travel & Aviation

Focus: Real-world pathways to reduce emissions across tourism and aviation through fuel innovation, ESG strategy, and cross-sector policy.

Speakers:

• Noora Al Sharhan, Etihad Airways (Head of ESG)

• Maria João Calha, TAP Air Portugal (Sustainability Director)

• Andreia Ramos, ANA Airports (Sustainability & Environment Director)

• Sergejs Balonuskovs, IATA (Senior Manager, Sustainability Europe)

"Ocean stories as a conservation tool"

Fabien Cousteau shares insights from underwater innovation

11:05 a.m. – Voices of Change: Storytelling Session

Fabien Cousteau presents work from Proteus Ocean Group, highlighting the world’s first underwater habitat and how narrative drives marine awareness.

Speaker:

• Fabien Cousteau, Proteus Ocean Group (Founder)

  
  

"Can tech shrink tourism’s footprint?"

Materials, satellites, and green mobility tools

11:35 a.m. – Panel 2: Innovation in Sustainable Travel

Focus: Emerging materials and technologies cutting emissions and supporting long-term conservation.

Speakers:

• Enrico Spinelli, European Space Agency (Applications Engineer)

• Vitor Hugo Gonçalves, Águas de Monchique (CEO)

• André Oliveira, CeiiA (Director, Space Unit)

"Conservation needs cross-industry support"

Governments and tourism boards focus on biodiversity protection

12:05 p.m. – Panel 3: Tourism, Aviation & Conservation

Focus: Strategies to embed ecosystem regeneration, biodiversity protection, and responsible tourism practices across industries.

Speakers:

• Paulo Estevão, Azores Government (Regional Secretary)

• Carla Salsinha, Lisbon Tourism Board (President)

• Robert Campbell, United for Wildlife (Programme Director)

• Elena Ruiz, Minor Hotels (VP Sustainable Business, Europe and Americas)

12:45 p.m. – Final Remarks

Paulo Mirpuri, Founder and President, Mirpuri Foundation