This video showcases how the European Commission is propelling the blue economy forward through targeted Sea Basin Strategies in the Atlantic, Black Sea, and Western Mediterranean.
Witness how these strategies foster innovation, competitiveness, and inclusivity within the sector, supported by essential enablers like blue skills and sustainable investments.
This workshop that took place on May 30, 2024 during the European Maritime Day in Svendborg Denmark, was aimed at exploring how the EU Sea Basins Assistance Mechanism can further enhance effective cooperation with strategic blue economy initiatives promoted by the EU in the ‘cross-cutting’ areas of research and innovation, ocean literacy and green energy transition.
Moderation was done by Matteo Bocci, from the Sea Basins Assistance Mechanism and contributions were made by:
The workshop allowed the different initiatives to share the main activities and results achieved so far in their areas of intervention, and then look ahead to identify concrete actions for further cooperation– also by building upon the results of the High-Level Panel 1 held on the same day.
Key Highlights and Outcomes of the workshop:
As concrete outcomes of this workshop, the different initiatives involved agreed to establish concrete roadmaps for cooperation in the year ahead, particularly in the area of Ocean literacy and blue skills, which emerged as a cross-cutting topic of interest to all the initiatives involved.
In conclusion, the workshop highlighted the vital role of collaborative efforts in advancing the EU’s blue economy initiatives, particularly through focused areas such as ocean literacy and blue skills development. As a key result, the different initiatives committed to continue working together to further operationalise future joint actions.
On 10 June 2024, the multidisciplinary scientific SEA-EU conference was held at the University of Malta in Valletta.
The Observatory for Sustainable Blue Economy (OSBE) within the SEA-EU invited the Maltese National Hub to present an overview of the WestMED initiative as part of their conference
The WestMED National hub Malta, represented by Stephanie Vella, explained the main objectives of the WestMED and highlighted the synergies which exist in terms of the research areas discussed by members of OSBE and the priority areas of the WestMED
The National Hub also presented three specific project ideas related to Blue Skills. These emanated from the WestMED hackathon held in Malta and are relevant for SEA-EU, highlighting the importance of identifying skills shortages, the role of educational institutions, as well as the importance of knowledge transfer across the Mediterranean.
The OSBE seeks to create a framework for longitudinal research projects across partners, countries and industries related to the transition of the blue economy. The platform includes environment and human related data research and technology transfer, education, blue jobs, industry related information and the identification of best practices and case studies which are extremely relevant to Westmed stakeholders.
For more information about this presentation and the project ideas, contact Stephanie Vella from the WestMED national hub Malta: malta@westmed-initiative.ec.europa.eu
On 30 May 2024, The European Maritime Day in Svendborg Denmark kicked off with a High-Level Panel focused on the EU Sea Basin strategies and its progress made since the adoption of the EU Sustainable Blue Economy (SBE) Communication three years ago.
The panel discussed the role of the Sea Basin Strategies in implementing the SBE policy framework, the challenges faced and areas to be explored for future policy cooperation.
The session was led by Director General Charlina Vitcheva (DG MARE) and contributions were made by representatives from the chairmanships/presidencies of the respective Sea Basins:
Key Highlights and Outcomes of the panel:
Concrete opportunities for future cooperation and synergies:
The results of this discussion served as input for the workshop that was organised the same day : ‘Maximising synergies amongst EU « blue » initiatives’
Watch the full recording of this discussion on WestMED’s YouTube channel
Marisa Lameiras da Silva (WestMED’s Portuguese co-presidency 2024): « Coordination, collaboration and cooperation in each sea basin and between the sea basins need to be a mantra – to follow the same goals »
After 6 years, The WestMED initiative has a lot to show for.
115 sustainable blue economy projects were supported by the WestMED Assistance Mechanism, with 45 projects having been awarded funding by different EU and non-EU institutions and programmes.
All these projects combined stand for a substantial 78.1 Million euro being invested in a stronger sustainable blue economy while at the same time fostering cross border relationships
In the meantime, the reach of the Initiative has spread well beyond the WestMED member countries.
Organisations from 31 different countries benefitted from the work done – basically by joining consortia that were quite often the result from the networking activities by the different WestMED National Hubs.
While the focus of the projects is still on Western Mediterranean, its effects therefore extend to the full Mediterranean region – and more.
Also at a governance level, the wheels have been turning with a new Ministerial Declaration in 2023, streamlining the priorities and a recommitment by all 10 member countries to the Initiative.
In 2022 the WestMED Initiative joined forces with two other EU Sea Basin Strategies: the Atlantic Action Plan and the Common Maritime Agenda for the Black Sea. Many of the challenges and opportunities are similar in the different basins. Actively fostering synergies will help all parties involved find quicker and better solutions.
Download the brochure by clicking on the image below to get a recap of all these major developments, results and key statistics – including an overview of all the WestMED supported projects that have been awarded funding to see the light of day.
Download the Brochure
With more than 32.600 visitors from 138 countries and more than 2000 exhibitors, POSIDONIA is one of world’s most prominent International Shipping Exhibitions. POSIDONIA 2024 took place in Athens from 3-7 June 2024 at the Metropolitan Expo.
Chaired by industry leaders,it was also marked by lively discussions and debates on a wide variety of topics that are relevant to the shipping industry .
Within this context the Sustainable Blue Economy Partnership organised a workshop titled “Blue Economy – The key towards Mediterranean regional Sustainability” on June 7, 2024.
This workshop was an opportunity particularly for the maritime community of the Mediterranean sea basin to learn more about what the Partnership can offer in terms of funding, networking and investment opportunities. At the same time, it was an opportunity for regional initiatives and programs to be at the same table to share experiences, best practices and possible ways of cooperation for a sustainable blue economy.
Moderated by the Union for the Mediterranean (UfM), the panelists from EUSAIR, BlueMissionMed, Interreg MED, UNEP/MAP and the WestMED Assistance Mechanism promoted their objectives, discussed how better to align their ongoing activities, identify relevant synergies to bridge science with policy and how funding and investments can become a significant tool for sustainable development.
The WestMed Assistance Mechanism, represented by Thanos Smanis from the central team, specifically outlined the work taking place in WestMED’s three Technical Groups: Maritime Clusters, Green Shipping and Aquaculture.
He also highlighted the work done by the ‘MSP Community of Practice for the Mediterranean‘ where MSP practitioners from around the sea basin gather on a regular basis to discuss common topics, learn from one-another and align activities across borders. Thanos Smains invited the other initiatives to actively follow and build on their results.
Adriana Salazar from the UfM moderating the expert panel with a.o. Thanos Smanis from the WestMED Assistance Mechanism
Photo source: Sustainable Blue Economy Partnership
In the framework of the WestMED Initiative, the Moroccan focal point and the national hub organized the first High-level national dialogue on « The challenges of integrated governance and the roadmap for implementing blue economy in Morocco » in Rabat, June 5, 2024.
Chaired by the Department of Maritime Fisheries, focal point for the WestMED Initiative, the event drew over 50 participants from the main national institutions with a focus on the maritime sector or an interest in blue economy.
Mr. Matteo Bocci (representative of the WestMed Initiative’s Assistance Mechanism) and Mr. Leonardo Manzari (WestMED National Hub Italy) were also present and provided valuable insights into WestMED Initiative and the Blue Mediterranean Partnership in general, and in particular concerning maritime clusters, green-shipping and the newly created technical group for sustainable tourism that will be launched at the Sun&Blue Congress in November 2024 (in Almería, Spain)
In its opening address, the Department of Maritime Fisheries underlined Morocco’s commitment to the sustainable development of its maritime resources as well as its wish to play a leading role in preserving and enhancing marine ecosystems, and thanked WestMED for making the event possible and allowing the discussion of key issues for the future of blue economy in Morocco, ranging from integrated institutional governance, the Energy-Saltwater-Green Hydrogen-Biodiversity Nexus, the climate resilience of the national coastline and the fight against marine pollution, to approaches for a national blue tourism strategy.
One of the speakers was Paul Henri-Presset, Head of the Trade Section of the European Union Delegation in Rabat, who provided an overview of EU relevant policy in the support of a sustainable blue economy across EU seabasins
The results of the day’s discussions will be used contribute to strategic guidelines allowing the development of a coherent and ambitious national strategy.
The opening words also outlined the Moroccan potential for the blue economy and the importance of collaboration was stressed to maximize the impacts in favor of a prosperous and sustainable blue economy.
Four sessions were organized with a focus on integrated institutional governance:
Each session was followed by very constructive discussions
Conclusions and Recommendations:
Contact the National Hub Morocco for more information: morocco@westmed-initiative.ec.europa.eu
WestMED was highlighted at DEPORTIBUS 2024 ; the first European festival with 3 days celebrating port-related themes, including maritime exploration, sustainability, smart cities, and more.
Activities ranged from technical summits, guided tours and concerts to author meet-ups, regattas, and film screenings. The festival engaged at various locations across La Spezia-Italy, making it a unique opportunity to immerse oneself in the city’s maritime spirit.
This first edition took place from 12-15 May 2024 and attracted more than 3000 participants, including representatives from more than 50 insitutions, more than 80 speakers and more than 10 port authorites from different parts of the world
On Saturday 11 May 2024, Leonardo Manzari from WestMED Italy and WestMED’s Green Shipping Technical Group, presented the Initiative and its activities on the main festival stage in La Spezia, Italy. It was a unique opportuniy to present the Initiative and its activities to other professionals and the public.
The DEPORTIBUS Festival is a dynamic event that travels to different cities each year, celebrating the global connections of ports. It’s like a maritime adventure that unfolds in various locations, Keep an eye out for announcements about next year’s host city—it could be anywhere from bustling coastal hubs to hidden gems!
Visit the DEPORTIBUS website
Contact Leonardo Manzari (WestMED National Hub Italy)
A National Stakeholders Consultation and Validation workshop for the National Blue Economy Strategy in Libya has been held under the auspices of the African Union from May 13-15, 2024 in Mombasa, Kenya.
Many ministries incl transport and maritime transport, tourism, economy and trade, the oil sector, the Libyan Ports Authority, the General Secretariat, the National Aquaculture Project in Libya, and other sector representatives, participated in this workshop dedicated to the blue economy in Libya.
The workshop was rich with lecturers and many experts from different countries of the world. Leonardo Manzari (WestMED National Hub Italy) and Matteo Bocci (WestMED and EU Sea Basin Assistance Mechanism central team) also participated and shared valuable information on the sustainable blue economy in Africa with a focus on Libya.
Ali Shagrune (Libyan National Coordinator and member of the WestMED Steering Committee) and Masauda Abuarosha (WestMED Centre Libya) both were pivotal for the success of this event.
This workshop is part of an initiative by the African Union aimed at supporting a number of member states in Africa to develop blue economy strategies. This is made possible with funding by the Kingdom of Norway.
Outcomes of the group discussions
Group 1: Draft Strategy
Group 2: Draft Implementation Plan
Group 3: Draft Governance Coordination Mechanism
(for details see report below)
Next steps
Full report/ Communiqué
Read the full report with all outcomes and recommendations of this workshop
See agenda
WestMED and African Union cooperation
The workshop jumpstarted discussions between the WestMED and the African Union with an open invitation to cooperate by Dr Hellen Guebama from the Union’s InterAfrican Bureau for Animal Resources (AU-IBAR) – which will be followed through – see video below
Press release on the AU-IBAR website: Blueprints for Prosperity: Libya’s Blue Economy Strategy Shaped in Mombasa
Dr Hellen Guebama from the Union’s InterAfrican Bureau for Animal Resources (AU-IBAR)
On May 13, 2024 a meeting was held in Brussels to discuss concrete decarbonization opportunities for ports and vessels between some major stakeholders and EU policy makers
The meeting was attended by the WestMED National Hub Spain, the Atlantic Action Plan (AAP), DG MARE, Vigo Port Authorities, the Energy Transition Partnership (ETP) and the Spanish Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food (MAPA).
Marta Pascual (WestMED & Atlantic National Hub Spain/ member of WestMED’s Technical Group on Green Shipping) and Gerardo González (Port Authority of Vigo), presented their respective decarbonization prototype reports. The observations and suggestions in these reports were based on stakeholder discussions held in Mahón, Menorca for the WestMED and Vigo, Spain for the Atlantic.
Carlos Botana, president of the Port Authotity Vigo (and Atlantic Action Plan – Pillar 1 coordinator on ports) also presented a roadmap on potential energy sources and the prototypes needed to facilitate the energy transition of the different maritime fleets.
The discussion focused on the main challenges encountered when finding solutions for energy sources and adapting the various maritime fleets towards the energy transition needs. The proposed prototypes were analyzed, potential funding opportunities discussed and ways of collaboration explored to increase critical mass for joint and coordinated action.
This mutual exchange was productive with specific follow-up actions agreed amongst the participants to advance these decarbonization efforts both through the WestMED Initiative and the Atlantic Action Plan.
STAY TUNED and watch this website or follow us on Twitter for the latest developments
For more information contact Marta Pascual (WestMED National Hub Spain)
Read the press release by the Port Authority of Vigo
Agenda
| 16,00 – 16,10 | Tour de table with presentations of those participating (all present) |
| 16,10 – 16, 20 | Context of both documents to be presented at the meeting
Marta Pascual – Spanish National Hub Atlantic Action Plan & WestMED Initiative |
| 16,20 – 16,35 | Presentation of the Atlantic Pillar I decarbonization prototypes report
Gerardo González – AAP Vigo |
| 16,35 – 16,45 | Presentation of the Blue Growth Strategy of Port of Vigo
Carlos Botana – President of Port Authority of Vigo |
| 16,45 – 17,00 | Presentation of the WestMED decarbonization prototypes report
Marta Pascual – Spanish National Hub Atlantic Action Plan & WestMED Initiative |
| 17,00 – 17,10 | Presentation of the needs and potential funding opportunities for such prototypes
Marta Pascual – Spanish National Hub Atlantic Action Plan & WestMED Initiative |
| 17,10 – 17,45 | Open discussion between ETP team and participants to seek for synergies, collaboration opportunities, how some of these could be embedded into the 2024 ETP roadmap, etc
All present |
| 17,45 – 18,00 | Closing remarks and closing of the meeting
Ana Peralta – DG MARE / Carlos Botana – AAP Vigo / Francisco Manuel Fernández Martínez – MAPA / Marta Pascual – AAP & WestMED
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