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Moderator for the day: MR. AXEL WENBLAD, Former Director General of Swedish Board of Fisheries
(Interpretation in EN-MT-FR-AR-IT, passive ES and DE)
Competitions for students have been held across Malta and Gozo:
Painting/Collage Competition for Primary students on the theme of maritime tourism
and
Essay Competition on maritime heritage or the Mediterranean Sea.
COMMISSIONER DAMANAKI, accompanied by DR. EDWARD ZAMMIT LEWIS, Parliamentary Secretary for Competitiveness and Economic Growth, Malta and DR. ALAN DEIDUN will present the awards to the selected students.
How can we foster competitiveness and employment of the European coastal and maritime tourism (EU 2020 objectives)? How do we overcome seasonality? Should maritime heritage be revived in the context of maritime and coastal tourism?
The first plenary session will focus on new opportunities for maritime and coastal tourism in Europe. Sustainability challenges (environmental impacts of tourism and relevant socio-cultural aspects) will also be key elements of the debates.
(Interpretation in EN-MT-FR-AR-IT, passive ES and DE)
Moderator: MS. LOWRI EVANS, Director-General, Directorate General for maritime affairs and fisheries, European Commission
Speakers:
The seas surrounding Europe today already provide an important space for the movement of people, goods and services. Yet, more can be done to better connect islands and coastal regions and stimulate blue growth in Europe.
This means improving the fluidity of goods and information flows and increase capacities in traditional sectors such as transport, shipping and port services but also harnessing the potential of emerging sectors, develop specialised clusters of maritime services and technology sharing. This plenary session will look at ways in which maritime connectivity can be developed further to create synergies amongst sectors and regions and contribute to maritime economic growth.
(Interpretation in EN-MT-FR-AR-IT, passive ES and DE)
Moderator: MR. FOTIS KARAMITSOS, Acting Deputy Director-General, Directorate-General for Mobility and Transport, European Commission
Speakers:
The cruise industry has seen enormous growth in recent years and has an enviable safety record. It is also a sector which is one of the drivers of competitive and innovative shipbuilding in Europe. How can the contribution of this sector to the Blue Economy and European Maritime tourism be maximised? How is safety on these ever-growing vessels maintained and improved?
Another pre-requisite for the sustainability of the sector is to pay close attention to its environmental impact, including the coast and its forage into new and pristine maritime areas. What is the record of the sector with regard to the environment, and how can it contribute to Blue Growth through innovative and sustainable concepts?
Moderator: MR. FOTIS KARAMITSOS, Acting Deputy Director-General, Directorate-General for Mobility and Transport, European Commission
Speakers:
What tools do we have at our disposal to manage seas and coasts in a perspective of Blue Growth? What knowledge do we need in order to make sustainable decisions? What is the impact of climate change and how best to adapt to them? How big are the cumulative human pressures that affect the marine environment? The session aims to discuss these elements.
Moderator: MR. KARL FALKENBERG, Director-General, Directorate-General for the Environment, European Commission
Speakers:
The marine and maritime actions launched in the Mediterranean Sea region have greatly improved its environmental status, maximised the sustainable use of resources and enhanced the sustainable growth and jobs in the region. How could we pave the way for the blue economy to further flourish in the region?
There are several good examples of regional stakeholders which are working together in a spirit to achieve tangible results. The IMP-Med Project being implemented under the European Neighbourhood Policy will add to further discussions.
(Interpretation in EN-MT-FR-AR-IT, passive ES and DE)
Moderator: MS. MONIQUE PARIAT, Director for the Mediterranean and Black Sea, Directorate-General for Maritime Affairs and Fisheries, European Commission
Speakers:
(Interpretation in EN-MT-FR-AR-IT, passive ES and DE)