We are excited to share with you the new European Blue Forum website. As part of the Forum, stakeholders will have the opportunity to influence the structure and direction of the European Blue Forum in a balanced and inclusive way, and through this, the future of Europe’s Sustainable Blue Economy

The 1st meeting of the Atlantic Strategy Committee under the Portuguese Presidency was held in Lisbon (Porto de Lisboa) on March 30th, 2023. The meeting was chaired by the Director-General of Sea Policy, Marisa Lameiras da Silva. The meeting was held in a hybrid format. Important topics such as the priorities and objectives of the Portuguese Presidency, the roadmaps of the four pillars of the Atlantic Action Plan 2.0 and the Interreg Atlantic Area Programme for the period 2021-2027 were discussed

In early April, an in-person meeting of the Irish Task Force representatives from each Pillar of the Atlantic Action Plan (AAP) took place in the fitting setting of the Marine Institute in Galway. Facilitated by the National Hub for Ireland, Elizabeth Gavin, and working closely with the ASC representative and Government Maritime Affairs Attaché, Eoin Leahy, this was the first time all Irish Taskforce Members from the four pillars of the Atlantic Action Plan had the opportunity to meet and engage in person. In addition to the task force members, other interested parties from government and research also attended. The agenda on the day included informative presentations on each of the Pillar activities as well as introductions and overviews from the National Hub, the Maritime Affairs Attaché and the Director of the Marine Institute

By taking advantage of the recently established Sea basins Assistance Mechanism contract, the workshop offered a unique opportunity to discuss the support provided by the EU sea basin strategies in the Atlantic, WestMED and Black Sea. As a result of the Workshop, relevant opportunities for stronger cross-sea basin coordination and synergies, both at the policy as well as technical levels, were identified. This way it will be possible to further streamline overall cross-sea basins cooperation across the EU towards decarbonisation

This international project competition aims to showcase and honour outstanding success stories, which provide innovative and replicable solutions embodying the WestMED initiative’s vision for the western Mediterranean

In a context where the Atlantic Area benefits from a strong network of research and test centers for technologies, especially to be applied in the maritime industries, and while the EU is multiplying initiatives and programmes, support entrepreneurship and scale-up Start-ups and SMEs, this meeting co-organised with CCDR Lisboa e Vale do Tejo aims at understanding what are the priorities of Atlantic Regions, evaluating the adequacy of existing EU schemes with regards boosting innovation in the Atlantic regions

The Conference will be held on Thursday, 22 June 2023 in Malta. This year’s focus will be on the main areas that the WestMED Initiative actively facilitates: Sustainable Aquaculture, Green Shipping & Ports and Maritime Clusters – plus some of the latest developments regarding Maritime Spatial Planning, Sustainable Tourism and Blue Skills/ Ocean Literacy; all lined with inspiring projects that have been supported

This workshop will discuss main challenges encountered when finding oriented solutions on sources of energy and prototypes for adapting the various maritime fleets towards the energy transition needs. The workshop reflections and conclusions will be gathered in a guidance document that aims to serve the industry, academia and decision makers as guidance on potential sources of energy and existing prototypes for adapting our various fleet types

Much has happened since the Galway Statement was signed in May 2013 between Canada, the European Union and the United States of America. To celebrate this decade of achievement and renew our shared commitment to the Atlantic Ocean, the Irish Government and the European Commission, together with the Marine Institute and the University of Galway will organise a hybrid event in Galway (Ireland), on 5-6 July 2023

We are very pleased to inform you that the 15th European Wave and Tidal Energy Conference will be held between 3rd– 7th September 2023 in Bilbao, Spain. The European Wave and Tidal Energy Conference (EWTEC) series are international, technical and scientific conferences, focussing on renewable marine energy – wave and tidal – which are derived from the water column in the ocean

The European Year of Skills puts skills centre-stage by showcasing skills development opportunities and activities across Europe, by fostering easier recognition of qualifications across borders, by bringing organisations and people together to share their experiences and insights, and setting out how EU initiatives and funding possibilities can help. Events and awareness-raising campaigns will happen across the EU. Get inspired, get involved, get skilled

4M€ from the Horizon Europe Work Programme will be assigned for the implementation of the All-Atlantic Ocean Research and Innovation Alliance. The call will open on 25 May until 21 September 2023

This call aims to support a wider understanding of the opportunities and to promote a sustainable management of the Atlantic Ocean as a whole, through a large-scale basin effort involving both the northern and the southern parts of this ocean, and its interlinks with the adjacent polar areas

Building on the pre-existing cooperative efforts under the Galway and Belém Statements and the existing and future bilateral administrative arrangements between the EU and Atlantic partner countries, this cooperation can continue to converge towards the implementation of a systemic approach by linking and jointly tackling the climate-food-ocean challenges, including extreme events and sea level rise