Oeiras Bluetech Ocean Forum 2025: Strategic Blue Insights from Europe, Africa and China

The Oeiras BlueTech Ocean Forum 2025, held from July 21–23 in Portugal, united 300 policymakers, investors, startups, and researchers to accelerate innovation across the blue economy. Hosted at the Escola Náutica Infante D. Henrique, the event featured high-level conferences, roundtables, and B2B matchmaking via the Fórum Oceano Blue Community. Participants engaged in discussions on sustainable finance, blue entrepreneurship, AI and marine technology, energy transition, and biodiversity protection, strengthening cross-sector collaboration and unlocking new investment pathways.

One of the key highlights was the signing of strategic MoUs between Fórum Oceano, the Oeiras Valley Investment Agency, and international partners including the Macao Convention and Tourism sectors, aimed at promoting blue economy investment and cooperation. The forum reinforced Portugal’s role as a global hub for ocean innovation and sustainable maritime development, laying the groundwork for upcoming events like the Macao BlueTech Ocean Forum planned to take place on October 17 in Macau.

High level panel
As part of this event, on 21 July 2025, a high-level plenary session brought together thought leaders and institutional voices from Europe, Africa, and China to discuss the future of the Blue Economy.

Under the moderation of Fórum Oceano’s Secretary-General, Ruben Eiras, the session offered a unique opportunity for a comparative and complementary view on how different regions are advancing their maritime strategies -through innovation, investment, policy, and international cooperation.

The panel featured Andreea Strachinescu, Head of Unit at the European Commission DG MARE; Sébastien Cann, Business Developer at Pôle Mer Bretagne Atlantique (France); Mare Straetmans, CEO of Platform Zero – (Netherlands); Zhou Jie, Secretary-General of IFCE-Macao (China); Joana Gaspar, Executive Board Member of aicep Portugal Global (Portugal); Mohammed JIFER, Director of the Regional Investment Center (CRI) of Laayoune (Morocco); and Dr. Sarra Sefrioui, Faculty of Legal, Economic and Social Sciences – Abdelmalek Essaâdi University, Tangier (Morocco)

This strategic blue dialogue underscored the importance of shared knowledge, cross-continental synergies, and future-oriented collaboration. From policy innovation in Europe, to investment-ready opportunities in Africa, and sustainable technological developments in China, the session highlighted diverse yet converging paths toward a thriving global Blue Economy.

This event was organised by Fórum Oceano (Portugal’s Blue Economy Cluster and National Hub for the WestMED Initiative and the Atlantic Maritime Strategy), in partnership with IFCE – Macao, Oeiras Valley, Oeiras Valley Investment Agency, Escola Superior Náutica Infante D. Henrique and aicep Portugal Global.