When you look out over the ocean what do you see? If the answer is new sources of food security, new medical breakthroughs, clean blue energy, then we want to hear from you.
The Ministers of Western Mediterranean countries gathered in Naples (Italy), on 30 November 2017, to endorse and launch the Initiative for the sustainable development of the blue economy in the Western Mediterranean – a goal-oriented series of joint actions to make the common sea space safer, cleaner and more productive.
In a rapid follow up to the EU-hosted 2017 Our Ocean conference, and in the run-up to the COP23 Ocean Day in Bonn (11 November), the European Commission today launched a new EUR 14.5 million investment initiative to further promote sustainable blue growth across the EU.
The newest pillar in the EU's renewable energy agenda was celebrated on 8 November at the University of Strathclyde, Technology and Innovation Centre in Glasgow. Investment in further blue skills developments, such as preservation of tourist attractions and marine cultural heritage were discussed. As well as celebrating the technological advances, the stakeholders looked at ways to guarantee that development is socially inclusive and sustainable development.
The European Commission announced on Wednesday 25 October the 2018 Call for Proposals for the Erasmus+ programme. The 2018 budget is expected to reach EUR 2.7 billion, an increase of over EUR 200 million compared to 2017.
The new forum's role will be to identify measures to open up markets for emerging products, to explore further research needs, or to point to areas where seed funding is required. The forum will deliver a pipeline of medium to long term projects aiming to grow the EU's blue bioeconomy sector.
The Council Conclusions on Blue Growth recognise the importance of Europe's marine and maritime sectors for jobs and growth.
On 5-6 October 2017, global leaders are invited in Malta for the 4th "Our Ocean" conference. Now more than ever there is an urgent need to come together. Future generations deserve our best efforts. The world's ocean community will renew commitments in the fight against climate change. They will take new actions to ensure maritime security, sustainable fisheries and blue economy. They will announce new marine protected areas and measures in the fight against marine pollution. Website: https://ourocean2017.org/
“Towards an implementation strategy for the Sustainable Blue Growth Agenda for the Baltic Sea Region,” presents the results of a systematic stakeholder dialogue in the region. Initiated by the European Commission in September 2016, the aim of the dialogue was to identify and discuss in greater depth the processes necessary to realise the Baltic Blue Growth Agenda in the coming years.
On the occasion of the World Oceans Day (8 June), Federica Mogherini, the High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy and Karmenu Vella; Commissioner for Environment, Maritime Affairs and Fisheries, made the following statement:
Today (on 2 June 2017) Mr Juncker, President of the European Commission, and Mr Li Keqiang, Prime Minister of China unveiled the 2017 EU-China Blue Year logo to mark their commitment to the cooperation between the European Union and China on ocean governance.
During the Green Week 2017, Directorate-General for Maritime Affairs and Fisheries is organising an event focusing on the current and future workforce needs in the blue economy.
On Sunday 14 May, hundreds of EU staff and their families gathered in Ostend, on the Belgian coast, for the first major beach clean-up organised by the European Commission to raise awareness about marine litter ahead of the international Our Ocean conference in October. EU embassies around the world will host similar events during 2017, while actions also took place yesterday in Tanzania, Mauritania, Slovenia, Spain, Poland and Italy.
To raise awareness about the increasing challenges posed by marine litter, the European Commission is organising the first major beach clean-up by EU staff on 14 May. The initiative, with the support of the Surfrider Foundation Europe, will take place on the Belgian coast and is expected to involve hundreds of EU staff and their families. EU agencies and embassies around the world have been invited to host similar events.
Today and tomorrow, the second annual forum of the EU macro-regional Strategy for the Adriatic and Ionian Region (EUSAIR) takes place in Ioannina, jointly organized by the European Commission and the Hellenic Republic.
Key stakeholders in sustainable business and investment gathered in Brussels to discuss investment needs in the blue economy and what financing can do to ensure the sustainability of such investments.
