Dr Ulf Kämpfer, Lord Mayor of Kiel

"In Kiel, everyone is connected to the sea, whether sailing, at the shipyards or in ocean research. Through sailing, we can raise people's awareness of the problems facing the world's oceans and inspire them to support conservation programmes. Germany wants to be climate-neutral by 2045, Schleswig-Holstein by 2040, and we as the city of Kiel want to achieve this by 2035."

Richard Brisius, Chairman The Ocean Race

"We are happy to come to Kiel with the race. It's a good collaboration, we have the same thoughts. The biggest problem with the oceans is the lack of awareness. Over 90 per cent of the world's population is unaware of the importance of the oceans. The Ocean Race can serve as a vehicle to draw attention to this. It is an opportunity to bring people together and overcome borders."

Toste Tanhua, GEOMAR Helmholtz Centre for Ocean Research Kiel

"It's about enabling teams, i.e. non-scientists, to make and contribute observations of the ocean. This requires a legal framework for data exchange. The EU and the UN need to create structures to enable scientists to collect data, even by amateurs, for example through a central office for international marine data collection."

Cornelius Eich, Team Malizia

"More and more teams are taking part in the science programme to improve the health of the oceans by collecting data. However, it is a mistake that the European Ocean Pact prioritises fishing, while the health of the ocean should be the top priority. There is an interaction between oceans and land climate: without the blue of the oceans, there is no green on land."

Elisabetta Balzi, Head of Unit for Seas, Lakes and Water at the European Commission

"Our mission is already a race against time. The race can mobilise many people at national, regional and international level. We need to act together and involve citizens and local communities."

Sandra Castañer, Maritime Affairs Department of the European Union

"It's about changing mindsets about the ocean and improving knowledge about the ocean in the general population. "Ocean Literacy" means that it goes beyond pure knowledge and science. With its slogan "Racing with purpose", the Ocean Race also offers the opportunity for education outside conventional institutions such as schools."

Dr Ingo Narberhaus, Federal Ministry for the Environment, Nature Conservation, Nuclear Safety and Consumer Protection

"The regatta makes a valuable contribution to mobilising a broad audience for a commitment to improving water quality."

Peter Grönwoldt, Federal Ministry of Education and Research

"With the measuring equipment on board, the deep-sea crews will be efficient observers and data collectors, among other things to record the CO2 content, which is so important for the climate."

Alfredo Viglienzoni, Deputy Director General of the City of Genoa

"If you look at the world from the Arctic or the Antarctic, you can see that there is only one ocean. And this ocean is our global life support system."

Adrián Zittelli, Deputy Director of EU Relations for the Spanish region of Murcia/Cartagena

"As a dry region, the Region of Murcia has experience in using water efficiently. Water recycling is an important pillar for the sustainable use of this resource. The Ocean Race serves as a platform for us to promote sustainable water consumption. We are taking part in this race, and what's more, we are racing for water. We are all in the same boat."

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