José Antonio Camposano (CNA), Alex Olsen (Corporación LANEC) and Sandro Coglitore (Omarsa) during the first edition of Race to the Top, in 2024 © SSP
The Sustainable Shrimp Partnership (SSP) and the National Chamber of Aquaculture (CNA) will hold the second edition of their high-level sustainability forum, Race to the Top, on 21 October at the AquaExpo Internacional in Guayaquil, Ecuador. The event will bring together over 30 global leaders, industry executives and experts.
This year the forum will adopt a new approach under the theme “Transform, Inspire, Lead.” Race to the Top will elevate the conversation by bringing together two of the most influential aquaculture proteins, shrimp and salmon, on the same stage. The event will also foster cross-sector learning, drawing on successful experiences from other industries to promote more responsible food production systems.
Confirmed speakers include representatives from Google, former NASA executives, the Global Reporting Initiative (GRI), the Global Salmon Initiative (GSI) and the Salmon Council of Chile. Leading shrimp producers and experts in banking, food innovation, and corporate sustainability will also participate.
“At Race to the Top, we aim to show that it is possible to produce food ethically, competitively, and sustainably, without sacrificing principles or quality. We want to convey that sustainability is not just a technical requirement, but an attitude – a way of thinking, deciding and leading. It requires long-term vision, discipline, and the courage to set the path. That is the spirit we are bringing back to Guayaquil,” said SSP director Pamela Nath in a press release.
Adding to this, José Antonio Camposano, executive president of the CNA, stated: “Ecuador has already proven that it is possible to lead the shrimp industry with responsibility and excellence. Now the challenge is to do so sustainably in a highly competitive environment. For this, Race to the Top is our answer: a space to think collectively, act faster, and inspire changes that go beyond the sector.”
The program will feature 13 confirmed sessions, including expert panels, presentations and case studies focused on four key themes: governance, environmental sustainability, social responsibility and economic sustainability.
The previous edition of the forum attracted more than 350 participants and 35 national and international speakers. These included representatives from the FAO, the World Wildlife Fund (WWF), the Aquaculture Stewardship Council (ASC), IDH and leading companies from the global aquaculture sector.
This year’s edition of Race to the Top is supported by Cargill, Con3xión Consultores, Duragas, Huawei, LarvIA and Vitapro – companies committed to innovation and responsible production.
