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Two men posing behind table in libya. ali shagrune and saber al

President of the Libyan Maritime Cluster and WestMED coordinator meets with the Libyan Minister of Marine Wealth

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On 12 October 2025, H.E. Dr. Saber Al-Azabi, Minister of Marine Wealth, met with Eng. Ali Mohamed Ageli Shagrune, President of the Libyan Maritime Cluster and National Coordinator WestMED Steering Committee Member of the Initiative.

At the beginning of the meeting, His Excellency welcomed Eng. Shagrune and praised his significant efforts in strengthening international cooperation and promoting the development of Libya’s blue economy. He also commended the active role played by the Libyan Maritime Cluster in supporting blue economy initiatives.

The meeting discussed the activities of the Libyan Maritime Cluster and its collaboration with maritime clusters in friendly countries within the framework of blue economy initiatives that aim to transform Libya’s economy from a rent-based system to a diversified and sustainable one, built on innovation and investment in marine resources.

Both sides emphasized the importance of enhancing regional and international partnerships in the fields of fisheries, aquaculture, marine renewable energy, and sustainable coastal governance, to contribute to building a prosperous economic future for Libya.

At the conclusion of the meeting, Eng. Ali Shagrune expressed his sincere appreciation to H.E. the Minister for the warm reception and reaffirmed the Libyan Maritime Cluster’s readiness to continue joint efforts with the Ministry of Marine Wealth in pursuit of a national vision for a sustainable blue economy in Libya.

group photo with EU sea basins people in conference room in Brussels during the Macro-Regional and Sea Basin Strategies days in Brussels

Macro-Regional and Sea Basin Strategies Days 2025 – EU Sea Basins Assistance Mechanism strengthens Maritime Cooperation

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Copyright photo: Simon Pugh

The EU Sea Basin Assistance Mechanism gathered experts from 15 countries to discuss maritime regional cooperation in Europe’s Atlantic facade, the Western Mediterranean and the Black Sea.

On 25 September 2025, alongside the Macro-Regional and Sea Basins Strategies Days, a dedicated networking event was held in Brussels for the National Hubs of the Sea Basin Strategies’ Assistance Mechanism. The gathering served as a platform for meaningful dialogue, strategic reflection, and future-oriented discussions aimed at advancing the EU’s Sea Basin Strategies and the Ocean Pact.

The session began with presentations on two key EU policy initiatives: the newly introduced European Ocean Pact and the upcoming budget framework for the blue economy.

  • The Ocean Pact outlines the EU’s comprehensive vision for ocean governance, consolidating various ocean-related policies under one strategic umbrella. It focuses on six core objectives: safeguarding ocean health, promoting a sustainable and competitive blue economy, empowering coastal and island communities, enhancing maritime security, expanding ocean literacy and research, and strengthening global ocean diplomacy.
  • The proposed 2028–2034 EU budget aims to offer greater flexibility to Member States and increase support for sustainable fisheries, aquaculture, and maritime sectors. It also prioritizes investment in ocean monitoring, innovation, blue economy initiatives, and international marine governance.

Engaging with National Hubs

National Hubs play a central role in implementing sea basin strategies at the national level. They collaborate closely with the European Commission, national authorities, implementing bodies, and regional stakeholders. During the event, representatives from the National Hubs, Sea Basin coordinators, the Assistance Mechanism team, DG MARE, and CINEA shared perspectives on enhancing future cooperation. The open format encouraged candid discussions on current challenges, opportunities, and reaffirmed a collective commitment to the EU’s maritime vision.

Celebrating Success: Photo Exhibition

On the Macro-Regional and Sea Basins Strategies Days, a photo exhibition showcased impactful projects supported by the Sea Basins Assistance Mechanism. The exhibition featured projects from across the Atlantic, Black Sea and WestMED, such as:

  • Aquawind (Atlantic) – a pioneering project combining offshore renewable energy with finfish aquaculture, offering innovative solutions for sustainable food and energy production.
  • Black Sea CONNECT (Black Sea) – focused on boosting research collaboration and launching the Black Sea Young Ambassadors Programme.
  • 2B-BLUE (WestMED) – aimed at strengthening the blue biotechnology sector through demonstration sites, public–private partnerships, and knowledge exchange.

project photos on a stand during the macro regiobnal and sea basin strategies days in Brussels, 2025

 

These examples illustrate how the Sea Basins Assistance Mechanism is driving innovation, fostering cross-border collaboration, and promoting knowledge-sharing across Europe’s maritime regions. From renewable energy in ports to youth engagement and blue biotech, the showcased projects reflect the Ocean Pact’s goals in action—protecting marine ecosystems, empowering coastal communities, and building a resilient blue economy.

The networking event reaffirmed the essential role of National Hubs in delivering the EU’s Sea Basins Strategies and underscored the importance of ongoing dialogue and cooperation to achieve shared maritime objectives.

 

Read the full executive summary of the Macro-Regional & Sea Basin Strategies Days

 

Kostas Kadis at the Macro Regional and Sea Basins Strategies Days opening the Conference

javier Fernández on stage presenting during the Macro Regional and Sea Basin Strategies Days Samir Bachoucje from the WestMED Assistance Mechanism modering a session during the Macro Regional and Sea Basin Strategies Days 2025

 

 

 

people listening in conference room seated at round tables with a speaker presenting.

Libya advances capacity building and quality assurance in the fisheries sector

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On 14 September 2025, Tripoli hosted a national workshop to define priorities and develop an action plan for a capacity-building and quality assurance program in Libya’s fisheries sector.

The event gathered representatives from government institutions, regulatory agencies, academia, research bodies and the private sector, creating a platform for dialogue on current challenges and future opportunities for the sustainable development of fisheries in Libya.

Discussions focused on strengthening quality assurance mechanisms, aligning with international standards, and identifying training needs to improve skills across the sector. Participants highlighted the importance of adopting modern practices in fishing, production and distribution to reinforce supply chains and build confidence in Libyan fish products at both national and international levels.

By improving competitiveness, the initiative is expected to contribute to economic diversification, job creation and stronger integration of Libya into the Mediterranean blue economy.

The workshop was organized under the framework of the EU4SKILLS project, funded by the European Union in Libya with co-funding from the French government, and implemented by Expertise France in cooperation with Libyan partners. The project supports skills development and employment governance, paving the way for more inclusive and sustainable growth.

 

More information

Contact Masauda Abuarosha (WestMED National Hub Libya): libya@westmed-initiative.ec.europa.eu
More about the launch of the EU4Skills in Libya (august 2024)

 

copy of agenda and a bottle of water on table with speaker in background

group of children on the beach getting materials to start the beach cleanup

Protect Our Coast, Sustain Our Tourism – Awareness and Educational Campaign on Hamama Coast in Libya

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The Marine Biology Society of Libya, in partnership with the Sustainable Blue Economy Initiative in the Western Mediterranean (WestMED), hosted a special awareness day for children from the Africa Charity Association for Orphans on the beautiful Hamama coast – one of the most touristic beaches in Libya. This event took place on August 30, 2025.

After learning about the impacts of plastic pollution on the marine environment, the children took part in a beach cleanup, followed by coloring activities and interactive games to foster environmental awareness and responsibility.

Given the success of this event, a 2nd day the week after, was organised whereby the Red Crescent youth together with the local football club were involved.  Because of the attention it received on national television and interest generated – more events will be planned at different locations, a.o. in Tripoli.

beach cleanup

 

Ongoing campaign

This event is part of an ongoing educational and awareness campaign “Protect Our Coast, Sustain Our Tourism.” The objective of this campaign is to raise awareness about marine pollution and coastal degradation, encourage community involvement in conservation efforts and showcase sustainable tourism as a tool for environmental protection

The organisers would like to extend their heartfelt gratitude to all those who contributed to the success of this event:  The team at Africa Charity Association for Orphans,  Management of Rina Family Resort,  BRIO team and Media representative Suleiman Abdelkarim Al-Khashbi.

Scientific webinar

group of people posing in a conference room

Also, as part of this campaign a scientific seminar was organised on September 6 at the headquarters of the Marine Biology in Libya Society, addressing key issues related to the blue economy, sustainable marine resources, and coastal environmental protection.

Dr. Masouda Abuarosha delivered an introductory presentation on the WESTMED Initiative, which brings together ten Mediterranean countries to foster regional cooperation in blue economy sectors, biodiversity conservation, and sustainable marine resource management.

Dr. Abdelghani Al-Kalloush gave a lecture on marine pollution, highlighting its main sources and strategies for mitigation, while emphasizing the crucial role of local communities and relevant institutions in tackling these growing environmental challenges.

Dr. Ahmed Issa, Professor of Archaeology at Omar Al-Mukhtar University, presented on coastal eco-tourism, stressing its potential as a pillar of sustainable economic development—provided that natural resources and cultural identity are preserved.

This initiative reflects the Association’s commitment to raising environmental awareness and promoting sustainable tourism models that contribute to the protection of Libya’s coasts and support a balanced, prosperous future for coastal communities.

The organisers reaffirm their dedication to collaborative work with academic institutions, government bodies, and civil society, in pursuit of a healthy marine environment and a resilient blue economy that serves Libya and the wider region.

More information
For more information about these events and/ or the campaign in general, please contact

– Masauda Abuarosha (WestMED Libya): libya@westmed-initiative.ec.europa.eu

– Sara Almabruk (Marine Biology Society of Libya): sara.almabruk@mb.org.ly

 

National TV coverage
This initiative received extensive TV coverage in Libya via WASAT TV – see recording below

 
group of people talking in Libyan port

Strengthening Libya’s Fisheries: Italian Delegation Visits Eastern Municipalities to Support Coastal Development

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In a major step toward revitalizing Libya’s fisheries sector, a high-level delegation from CIHEAM Bari and the Italian Consulate, under the auspices of the Foreign Affairs Committee of the Libyan House of Representatives, concluded an important series of visits to the eastern municipalities of Sousse, Derna, and Tobruk. The initiative places the development of the fisheries sector and the empowerment of local fishers at the heart of its priorities.

These visits, that took place beteen 1 and 6 August 2025, reflect a growing momentum for enhanced international cooperation in marine and coastal development, focusing on Libya’s vast and underutilized maritime potential.

Local fishers, considered the backbone of Libya’s coastal communities, continue to face a range of challenges – including outdated infrastructure, limited access to training, and lack of exposure to sustainable fishing practices. Addressing these issues is seen not only as an economic necessity but also as a strategic investment in national food security, environmental sustainability, and regional stability.

Officials from both sides emphasized the importance of capacity building and technical cooperation to equip Libyan fishers with the tools and knowledge needed to drive forward a more resilient, productive, and environmentally responsible fisheries sector.

This initiative signals a shared commitment to empowering Libya’s coastal communities and unlocking opportunities for sustainable blue growth in the region.

Local press coverage

akhbarlibya24.net
lana.gov.ly
alsaaa24.com
alwasat.ly

For more information, contact

Business people sitting at a table in a conference room in Libya

 

panel on stage with speaker during the 2025 paths that last sustainable Tourism Conference in Croatia

WestMED’s Technical Group on Sustainable Tourism participates in the Interreg Tourism Conference ‘Paths that Last’

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200 participants | 8 Programme Organisers | approx 90 Projects | 5 workshops

On 25–26 June 2025, the WestMED’s Technical Group on Sustainable Tourism through the National Hub for Malta (Stephanie Vella), participated in an event held in Split, Croatia, under the Mediterranean Multi-Programme Mechanism titled “Paths That Last – Collaborating for a Sustainable Tourism in the Mediterranean”.

Eight Interreg Programmes working together in the Mediterranean
Next to a wide range of stakeholders. this gathering brought together eight Interreg programmes working across the region including Interreg Euro-MED, Interreg Greece–Cyprus, Interreg Italy–Croatia, Interreg Italy–Slovenia, Interreg Italy–France Maritime, Interreg Italy–Malta, Interreg NEXT Italie–Tunisie, and Interreg NEXT MED.

The goal of the Mediterranean Multi Programme Mechanism is to enhance synergy, coordination, and capitalisation among projects to address common challenges such as sustainable tourism, climate change, and socio-economic development in Mediterranean territories.

The event aimed to foster cross-programme coordination, share good practices, and promote the development of joint project ideas to advance sustainable tourism across the Mediterranean. It created an opportunity for stakeholders to align efforts around shared goals while responding to regional challenges.

Five workshops
Central to the conference were 5 different interactive workshops addressing critical themes for sustainable tourism: Shared and Strategic Governance of the Tourism Offer, Tourism and Green Transition, Inclusive and Accessible Tourism and Innovative Tourism Products

Workshop ‘Shared and Strategic Governance’
The WestMED Technical Group took part in the workshop on Shared and Strategic Governance. Through interactive exercises like the “Imaginary Planet” visioning workshop, the event encouraged creative thinking about future sustainable tourism models, including cross-border governance, local engagement, and sustainable visitor management.

The workshops facilitated the early formation of ideas for joint project proposals, which were later shared during the event’s closing plenary session. Some of the project ideas which were discussed include the application of carrying capacity models particularly in congested areas of tourism, the attraction of tourism in rural areas as a means of spreading the impact of tourism as well as the importance of training to operators in the sectors as well as tourists in order to encourage both the supply and demand of sustainable tourism.

During the workshop, the objectives of the WestMED’s technical group on sustainable tourism were outlined highlighting that the group serves as a technical forum to discuss trends and opportunities towards sustainable tourism within the region and to provide support to participants to develop project ideas around the topics already set at EU level with regards to the tourism-related topics.

The importance of capitalisation was also stressed, highlighting the need to build on the results of past and ongoing projects to avoid duplication and maximise the impact of existing knowledge and tools. Also, emphasis was placed on the importance of ensuring access to region-specific funding opportunities, particularly those that include southern shore countries, to guarantee a balanced approach to sustainable tourism in the Mediterranean.

The event offered a valuable networking opportunity for a range of stakeholders. It was instrumental in reinforcing cooperation, sharing innovation, and building a more cohesive approach to sustainable tourism in the Mediterranean—one that lasts.

Check the event announcement (including agenda)

See below for the Conference recording of the 1st day of this conference.

For more information contact Stephanie Vella: malta@westmed-initiative.eu 

 

people seated at a round table during workshop at the 2025 Interreg Sustainable Tourism Conference in Split Croatia

Photo Source: ASCAME

Recording of the Concerence: Paths That Last – Collaborating for a sustainable tourism in the Mediterranean

Closing of the POWER4MED Project & Launch of GREENMEDPORT & SHARE4MED projects: A New Milestone Toward Carbon Neutrality in the Mediterranean Maritime Sector

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Based on the press release from the Algerian Press Service

Oran, Algeria-3 July 2025

The WestMED supported POWER4MED project, designed to support the energy transition of small ports and ships in the western Mediterranean, officially came to an end on Wednesday in Oran, at an international conference attended by researchers, decision-makers and economic operators from the maritime sector.

Financed by the European EMFAF Fund, and as part of the WESTMED initiative, the POWER4MED project (Local empowerment of fuel transition for a green Mediterranean) was launched in November 2023 for a period of 20 months, said Professor Beladjine Boumedienne, a research lecturer in the maritime engineering department at the Mohamed Boudiaf University of Science and Technology in Oran (USTO-MB), a partner in the project, who oversaw the organisation of this event at its opening.

The project, that lasted 18 months (November 2023-april 2025) was carried out by a consortium of partners from six Mediterranean countries, namely Algeria, Italy, Egypt, Spain, Libya and Turkey, he added. The project aims to support the transition to clean fuels and sustainable energy technologies for small vessels, in particular fishing boats and local ferries, as well as for marinas and secondary ports, said the representative of the Italian Ministry of Transport, Piero Pineli, in his speech at the opening.

POWER4MED Support Structure: A Governance and Energy Transition Model
Professor Mohamed Smaïl, from the English University in Cairo, who presented the project’s recommendations, pointed out that a virtual support structure, was jointly set up and piloted by Italian, Algerian and Egyptian institutions as part of the project to provide technical, financial and regulatory support to maritime operators wishing to make the transition.

It provides a multidisciplinary support team and technical tools to assist fishing boat and ferry operators, as well as marina managers, in adopting low-carbon fuels in the short term and in charting pathways toward carbon neutrality by 2050

The structure relies on a multidisciplinary team of experts, as well as a set of practical capacity-building tools that have been tested with pilot players.

Core funtions of the support structure:

  1. Analyzing needs and availability of affordable alternative fuels.
  2. Developing toolkits to align with EU legislation and IMO decarbonization strategies.
  3. Facilitating knowledge transfer through training workshops and field visits to marine labs and simulators

Samir Bachouche (WestMED National Hub Algeria), ended the day with an overview of the WestMED Initiative and how the Assistance Mechanism can help other projects who are looking to start or scale up – with possible additional project partners and/ or ways to look for possible funding opportunities. He also pointed to the upcoming WestMED Stakeholder Conference on November 28 in Tunis and the possibility to submit blue projects for the WestMED Project Awards 2025 for extra recognition.

Parallel Event: The Algerian-Italian Maritime Cooperation Forum

A major highlight was the Algerian-Italian Maritime Cooperation Forum, which focused on port digitalization, integrated supply chains, alternative fuels (green hydrogen, LNG, methanol), and carbon footprint tracking for fishing and cargo vessels. The forum aims to strengthen cross-border value chains and attract private investments to support the blue economy.

Transition to a New Project Generation: Launch of GREENMEDPORT & SHARE4MED

Two new strategic projects were launched the next day ,on 5 July 2025: GREENMEDPORT and SHARE4MED, funded by the INTERREG NEXT MED programme. Each initiative is expected to run until 2027 with a budget of approximately €1 million and an EU co-financing rate of 89%

The aim of these new programmes is to strengthen cross-border cooperation in port digitalisation, fleet energy conversion and green maritime regulation and logistics. Specifically:

GREENMEDPORT:

  • Assessing infrastructure needs for alternative fuels in western Mediterranean ports.
  • Developing a real-time carbon footprint monitoring platform

SHARE4MED

  • Sharing environmental and emissions data among ports and research institutions.
  • Foresight capabilities for short and medium-term adaptation technologies

 

 

 

For more information about this event, check the announcement page

For more information on about the POWER4MED project, visit the Power4Med webpage on the sdg4med website

 

 

 

group picture (

Workshop and major report on Aligning Aquaculture and Fisheries for Sustainable Investment in Libya

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Tunis, June 18 – 21, 2025

Under the supervision of the Libyan Maritime Cluster and organized by the African Union Inter-African Bureau for Animal Resources (AU-IBAR), a National Consultative Workshop was held in Tunis from 18 to 21 June 2025. The workshop was titled:

“National Consultative Workshop for Validation of the Consultancy for Alignment of National Fisheries and Aquaculture Strategies and the National Agricultural Investment Plans to the Policy Framework and Reform Strategy for Fisheries and Aquaculture in Africa (PFRS) and Climate-Change Adaptation, Including Formulation of Recommendations for Domestication of Relevant Global Instruments for the State of Libya.”

This important event aimed to support Libya’s efforts in developing sustainable policies and strategies for fisheries and aquaculture. The focus was on aligning national frameworks with the Policy Framework and Reform Strategy for Fisheries and Aquaculture in Africa (PFRS) to promote the responsible use of marine and aquatic resources, strengthen climate change adaptation, and attract sustainable, long-term investments.

Over four days, participants discussed and validated a comprehensive national report prepared by Dr. Masauda Abuarosha, from the Omar al-Mokhtar University and Libya’s National Hub for WestMED. The report consisted of three key components:

  • Presentation of the main results of the consultation report on aligning national fisheries and aquaculture policies with the PFRS. (Download the pdf)
  • Presentation of the consultancy report providing specific recommendations for the domestication of global instruments. (Download the pdf)
  • Presentation of the consultation report results on aligning national agricultural investment plans with the PFRS and climate change adaptation measures. (Download the pdf)

The workshop was honored by the participation of Eng. Ali Al-Shagruni, President of the Libyan Maritime Cluster and Libya’s National Coordinator for WestMED, alongside Dr. Masauda Abuarosha.

Key Libyan officials, including representatives from the Ministry of Marine Wealth, the National Project of Aquaculture, the Higher Institute of Marine Science, as well as national and international experts, NGO representatives, and regional organizations, contributed to the discussions. They addressed the major challenges facing Libya’s fisheries and aquaculture sector and explored opportunities to enhance governance, policy coherence, and investment readiness.

The workshop provided a strategic platform for sharing expertise, strengthening collaboration, and formulating actionable recommendations to advance Libya’s blue economy in alignment with regional, continental, and global frameworks.

Report
The report, central to this event, provides a comprehensive assessment of Libya’s national fisheries and aquaculture policy and its alignment with the African Union’s Policy Framework and Reform Strategy (PFRS) for Fisheries and Aquaculture in Africa. Despite Libya’s significant marine resources and extensive Mediterranean coastline, the sector remains underdeveloped. It  identifies major policy gaps, institutional weaknesses, and underutilized opportunities hindering progress.

The analysis examines Libya’s legal, institutional, and policy frameworks against the eight core policy areas outlined in the PFRS. It also evaluates the extent to which national strategies align
with regional and international commitments. Insights were informed by stakeholder consultations, including surveys and interviews with representatives from government, academia,
and the private sector.

Download the fully validated and approved report, incl. AU-IBAR certificate (pdf)

For more information
Contact the WestMED National Hub Libya (Masauda Abuarosha): libya@westmed-initiative.ec.europa.eu

people in a panel discusion, seated at a table

meeting with people seated at table against a United Nations Ocean Conference backdrop

UNOC3 Summit ‘For a More Connected Mediterranean’

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On 9 June 2025, the Heads of State and Government and high representatives of Croatia, Cyprus, Greece, Italy, Libya, Malta, Morocco, Portugal, Tunisia and the EU on the invitation of the President of the French Republic, gathered at the summit “For a More Connected Mediterranean”, on the sidelines of the third United Nations Ocean Conference.

The meeting also brought together representatives of international organisations, development banks and large companies.

In view of common challenges in the Mediterranean, the Heads of State and Government decided to strengthen their cooperation and work towards shared and sustainable prosperity through a greater maritime, land and digital connectivity between Europe, the Mediterranean and the Gulf.

The Mediterranean Sea accounts for 25% of global maritime traffic and is at the heart of commercial, energy and digital exchanges. In this intense traffic area, States have raised the level of protection of the sea through regulation of transport in the Gulf of Lion a well as the creation of a low-sulphur emission zone, known as SECA zone, which encompasses the entire Mediterranean Sea. The latter was established on 1 May 2025 following the approval of the International Maritime Organisation.

The European Commission recalled that, as part of the Global Gateway strategy in the Middle East and North Africa, the European Union’s support reached €5.9 billion, which is expected to mobilise up to €27.2 billion in private and public investments. Commissioner Šuica also presented the objectives of the upcoming New Pact for the Mediterranean, which aims to strengthen partnerships between the European Union and the countries in the Mediterranean region, based on mutual interests.

Extensive bilateral and regional partnerships were announced for the development of new land and sea connections, the decarbonisation of ports and the deployment of new submarine cables. The participants discussed common objectives to ensure:

1) Decarbonisation of the maritime sector and major Mediterranean ports.

As part of a joint statement, the Mediterranean ports of Algesiras, Beirut and Marseille, announced the creation of a working group contributing to the reduction of shipping’s greenhouse gas emissions by providing ships with onshore power connections in ports while developing infrastructure for supply of alternative fuels and fostering rail or river onward transport towards the hinterland, as well as studying opportunities for new green corridors in the Mediterranean. All Mediterranean ports will be welcome to join the coalition before the COP24 of the Barcelona Convention (Cairo, December 2025). Croatia also announced the launch of its new Rijeka Gateway, green and fully automated, within the port of Rijeka, the most important Croatian port situated on three EU corridors.

2) Strengthening of maritime and land routes for transport of goods and green energy.

France and the European Commission, within the framework of the Global Gateway strategy and the New Pact for the Mediterranean, reiterated their support for the implementation of the India Middle East Europe Corridor (IMEC), including the mobilisation of Global Gateway funding to launch feasibilitystudies for this corridor. France reiterated its support for Egypt’s accession to IMEC, which aims to strengthen connectivity between East and West.

On 30 May 2025, France organised the first IMEC Sherpa meeting since the signature of the Memorandum of Understanding in September 2023. During this meeting, the participants reaffirmed their strong support for the project, as well as the need to consolidate IMEC’s governance while mobilising companies in the strategic sectors concerned. This same group has been invited by the European Commission to meet again, on the sidelines of the Global Gateway Forum to be held in Brussels on 9 and 10 October.

On energy connectivity between Europe and the Gulf, ACWA Power reaffirmed its commitment to convene a private-sector working group alongside leading European energy companies (including partners from France, Germany, Italy and Greece) to explore and develop joint projects in green hydrogen, renewable energy exports and related infrastructure, such as electrical interconnections. This collaborative framework will pave the way for clearer energy flows and the necessary investments under the IMEC corridor.

The Commission also stated the importance of advancing clean energy connectivity with North Africa, notably through the emerging T-MED Initiative, which supports renewable energy investment and infrastructure development across the Mediterranean.

In the Eastern Mediterranean, Greece and Cyprus recalled the implementation of large renewable energy interconnection projects, such as the “GREGY” project, a 950-kilometre submarine cable with a capacity of 3 GW which aims to interconnect Egypt and Greece, or the “Great Sea Interconnector” (GSI), bridging Europe and Middle East with clean energy.

3) Increased digital connections between the Mediterranean and the Gulf.

The participants presented EU’s flagship “Medusa/GEANT” Submarine Cable System initiative, which will not only link the two shores of the Mediterranean, but also Southern Mediterranean countries among themselves, by manufacturing and deploying a submarine cable system based on the most recent technological advancements in fibre optics communications, fully based on European leading-edge technology. It will also contribute addressing the digital divide with partner countries. The network is led by the company AFR-IX telecom, with the support of the Orange Group and the European Union, while Alcatel Submarine Networks (ASN) and Elettra Tlc are responsible for its deployment.

Other major initiatives are already currently contributing to the digital influence of the region, such as the Aqaba Digital Hub, which was inaugurated in 2023 and is one of the largest technological centres in the Near East.

Source: https://www.elysee.fr/en/emmanuel-macron/2025/06/09/joint-press-release-summit-for-a-more-connected-mediterranean

4 panellists in frnt of screen

EU Sea Basin Strategies at the 2025 European Maritime Day (EMD) in Cork, Ireland

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EU Sea Basin Strategies at the 2025 European Maritime Day (EMD) in Cork, Ireland

The 2025 edition of European Maritime Day (EMD) — the flagship annual gathering for blue economy stakeholders across Europe — took place this year in Cork, Ireland.

The event brought together about 1.200 participants, including policymakers, experts, and practitioners from key maritime sectors, to strengthen collaboration and advance the EU’s blue economy agenda.

For the third year in a row, the EU Sea Basin Strategies was featured prominently at EMD and showcased essential frameworks for fostering regional cooperation and supporting the implementation of EU blue economy policy goals. As on previous occasions this was done with a high level panel and a technical workshop.

High level panel on Synergies between Sea Basin Strategies

Workshop Maximising Support to Blue Skills and Ocean Literacy

High level panel on Synergies between Sea Basin Strategies


The 2025 EMD in Cork hosted the second edition of the High-Level Panel on Synergies between Sea Basin Strategies, bringing together representatives from four sea basin strategies:

  • Philip Nugent, Director-General for Maritime Affairs at Department of the Environment Climate and Communications in Ireland, representing the Atlantic Strategy (and EMD co-host);
  • Pedro Gonçalves, Director for Strategy at the Directorate General for Maritime Affairs in Portugal, representing the WestMed Initiative;
  • Hryhorii Mozolevych, Director General at the Science Development Directorate of Ministry of Education and Science of Ukraine, representing the Black Sea Common Maritime Agenda;
  • Elsa Tudal, Project Director for European and International affairs at the Ministry for the Ecological Transition, Biodiversity, Forestry and Fisheries in France, representing the Greater North Sea Basin Initiative.

The panel was moderated by Seamus Kearney, director of Seamus Kearny Media

Kestutis Sadauskas, Deputy Director-General at DG MARE, opened the panel by stating that “cooperation and coordination lie at the heart of sea basin strategies” and considered them central in tackling the very diverse maritime challenges Europe faces today, while extending the approach to EU neighbouring countries. He also stressed how EU Sea Basin Strategies can act as essential place-based initiatives to further implement the European Ocean Pact across the EU.

Tackling shared challenges through successful cooperation across sea basins

Building on the discussions from the first edition of the High-Level Panel at EMD 2024 in Svendborg, Denmark, this year’s panel reviewed progress made in implementing the sea basin strategies’ political priorities and showcased success stories of mutual cooperation, both at the political and technical levels.

Phillip Nugent highlighted how Ireland’s involvement in the Atlantic and GNSBI strategies has been “hugely beneficial to give us a sense of how other Member States are tackling challenges that we have faced ourselves”. Successful technical cooperation examples, such as dedicated expert groups across key maritime sectors, and the articulation and cross-fertilisation across sea basins were highlighted both by the Portuguese Co-Presidency of the WestMED Initiative (Pedro Gonçalves) and Hryhorii Mozolevych (Ukraine) representing the Common Maritime Agenda for the Black Sea. In particular, Mozolevych emphasized that cross-sea basin cooperation in the context of sea basin strategies “is not just symbolic, but has real operational value”. As a relatively new established initiative, the French Co-presidency of the GNSBI (represented by Elsa Tudal) described the initiative as a “test lab” for transfer of knowledge and experience from existing initiatives, building a more integrated and holistic approach for the blue economy in the region.

Driving innovation, connectivity and sustainable energy

Panellists also underlined the importance of maritime regional cooperation in driving innovation, connectivity, and sustainable energy across Europe and beyond.

Portugal highlighted how the WestMED initiative is acting as a “platform for innovation” and delivering on the EU Green Deal objectives, particularly on decarbonisation, green ports and blue energy. Hackathons were exemplified as drivers for new blue innovations and competitiveness, bringing together young researchers and entrepreneurs in the region.

Ukraine focused on how the CMA is contributing towards a circular economy, digital transformation and ecosystem restoration in the Black Sea. As an example, the CMA is promoting low impact aquaculture farming techniques. The Ukrainian coordination announced that strategies to tackle war-related environmental damage will constitute a major priority during their term.

Ireland described sea basins as examples of the -currently threatened- multilateralist cooperation approach, and as constituting “sandboxes of implementation (in a shared basis) of EU policy”. In fact, great potential for increased cross-sea basin synergies exists when it comes to the expansion of marine renewable energies, taking into account regional specificities and needs.

France reaffirmed that a viable blue economy today or in the future “cannot exist without regional cooperation”. It is therefore the vision of the GNSBI to ensure coordination across traditional and emerging sectors. The importance of maritime spatial planning was stressed for this purpose.

Moreover, the discussion provided insights on the role of the four Sea Basin Strategies in delivering on the objectives of future EU initiatives, such as the European Ocean Pact. And the common commitment for promoting greater synergies across EU Sea Basins in relevant economic sector and policy activities.

Ireland underlined how SBS can deepen cooperation to achieve greater integrated approaches to maritime governance guided by science. Similarly, Portugal sees the SBS as well positioned to become an “operational arm of the new Ocean Pact”, as natural platforms to translate the Pact’s ambitions into action. France pointed out the need for greater cooperation and integration of maritime policies, and called for greater investment support. Finally, Ukraine stressed the particularly important role of regional cooperation driven by SBS in a politically sensitive region such as the Black sea, contributing to increased maritime safety and security.

Moreover, all panellists agreed on the critical role of sea basin level cooperation in addressing climate change challenges whereby coastal communities are at the forefront.

“The Ocean Pact is a place-based policy making approach that needs to be brought to real life – our sea basin strategies are the perfect vehicle for testing these ideas »

Kestutis Sadauskas


Drawing summarising outcomes

Workshop Maximising Support to Blue Skills and Ocean Literacy


As a follow-up to the High Level Panel, an operational workshop was held to examine how the EU Sea Basins Assistance Mechanism can strengthen blue skills development in pivotal innovation areas while promoting greater ocean literacy across coastal communities engaged in the blue economy across the EU and its neighbouring countries. These are in fact two essential areas where sea basin presidencies and coordinators have expressed growing interest, towards a deeper policy and technical collaboration within and across each sea basin.

The workshop brought together the following speakers:

  • Matteo Bocci, EU Sea Basins AM, providing some policy feedback as emerging from the experience of EU Sea Basins and acting as moderator;
  • Alessandro Pititto, COGEA, presenting the recent study by CINEA;
  • Olga Mashkina, EU4Ocean, illustrating lessons learned from the actions promoted particularly in the area of ocean literacy;
  • Paul Hegarty, Marine Ireland Industry Network, offering some reflections from the grassroots level in relation to key innovation skill-sets

The session highlighted the current state of initiatives within the sea basin regions and identified further opportunities to leverage existing efforts.

The ‘EU Sea Basin Policy Feedback’ presented some patterns in promotion of projects related to blue skills and ocean literacy, with greater focus on innovative sectors (e.g. biotechnologies and renewable energy) emerging in the Atlantic region, a more transversal approach addressing ecosystem challenges adopted in the Black Sea and an in-between positioning of the western Mediterranean.

COGEA presented the main results of the study on Blue Skills and its proposed Competence Framework to be soon launched as a result of the study commissioned by DG MARE and CINEA.

EU4Ocean’s contributions stressed the relevance of ocean education and literacy, including towards young professionals, as well as private sectors and blue economy businesses, with a dedicated new group to be launched in this area as well as a dedicated campaign and a blue cities network acting in this area.

Finally, an overview of innovation and related skill-sets required by local practices was offered by the Marine Ireland Industry Network, with an interesting balance between transversal technical skills and the need for place and sector-based competences to adapt emerging innovations (digital, greening, etc.).  

The workshop marked a step forward in aligning regional strategies with broader EU goals for sustainable ocean use and economic growth in maritime sectors. It also pointed out the relevance of sea basin specific data analysis to be collected and offered across the EU, as to compare trends, challenges and opportunities that characterise each EU region and foster greater cross sea basin cooperation and exchange of lessons learned as well as success stories.

Follow up
The EU Sea Basin Assistance Mechanism will build upon the outcomes of the session, as a way to further follow-up on the outcomes of the AMD High Level Panel and to foster greater cooperation and exchanges amongst the EU sea basins as well as EU macro regions – including as part of the upcoming EU Macro Regions and Sea Basins Days (planned for September 2025).

More information:  EMD 2025 news article on the website of CINEA