Chile is preparing to become the epicenter of ocean innovation with the launch of Blue Week 2026, an international event to be held May 11–14 in Puerto Montt and Santiago. The event will bring together government officials, scientists, investors, entrepreneurs, and industry representatives with the goal of establishing a collaborative network to transform the ocean’s potential into concrete solutions to the climate crisis.
Organized by the Climate Cluster for Ocean Innovation (CINCO), in collaboration with public and private stakeholders, the event features an agenda marked by key milestones that span topics ranging from applied science to policy-making. On Monday, the 11th, Chile’s first marine carbon removal pilot project will take place in Puerto Montt—a pioneering initiative with implications for national climate policy and the country’s positioning in blue carbon markets.
On Tuesday the 12th, Blue Demoday will take place, where cutting-edge startups will present ocean-based solutions to international investors, highlighting the dynamism of the entrepreneurial ecosystem in the Los Lagos Region. On Wednesday the 13th, in Santiago, the Chile-South Africa Global South Alliance will be launched, a groundbreaking initiative to co-develop ocean innovation on a global scale. Finally, on Thursday the 14th, the Ocean Solutions Caucus will be established, a forum where legislators, industry associations, and scientists—including experts affiliated with the IPCC—will discuss how to translate scientific evidence into public policy.
“Blue Week 2026 aims to bring together science, investment, and public policy around a common goal: accelerating ocean-based solutions. Chile is uniquely positioned to lead this conversation on a global scale,” said María José Urrutia, director of CINCO and Senior Ocean Fellow at Ocean Visions.
The event takes place at a time when the blue economy is gaining prominence worldwide. Companies and investors are incorporating the ocean into their sustainability strategies, while there is a growing consensus on the need to align economic development with sustainability. Against this backdrop, Blue Week 2026 positions Chile as a strategic platform for advancing an agenda that views both challenges as part of the same solution.
