Event Overview

The EU’s Blue Economy sectors are deeply embedded in the EU’s economy and broader political framework, underpinning efforts to achieve regional cooperation, climate resilience, and economic competitiveness while enhancing the health and biodiversity of marine environments. The Blue Economy is pivotal to the EU’s strategy for economic recovery and resilience. It offers enormous opportunities for innovation, job creation, and sustainable economic diversification.

However, current geopolitical tensions, trade disruptions and supply chain challenges, continue to pose risks to the EU Blue Economy realising its full potential. This conference will bring together policymakers from the EU, its Member States and local government, academics, NGOs and representatives from across the energy, marine, maritime shipping and technology sectors, to explore the latest policies, initiatives and innovations that ensure the EU Blue Economy can support a more sustainable and competitive Europe.

Key Themes

Marine Renewable Energy

European Maritime Transport Industry

Ports

Sustainable Coastal Tourism

Fisheries and Aquaculture

Speakers include

CommissionerKadis
Costas Kadis

EU Commissioner for Fisheries and Oceans

European Commission

via video
ELENA_KOUNTOURA forwebsite
Elena Kountoura
MEP

Vice-Chair, TRAN Committee

European Parliament
Clergeauforsite
Christophe Clergeau
MEP

Vice-Chair of S&D Group,
Member of ENVI Committee, and Chair of SEArica Intergroup

European Parliament

via video
Photo MEP Yon Courtinforwebsite
Stéphanie Yon-Courtin
MEP

Vice Chair, PECH Committee

European Parliament
Brnjac
Nikolina Brnjac
MEP

Member, TRAN Committee

European Parliament
Profile Pic Karmenu Vella (3)
Karmenu Vella

Former EU Commissioner;
Senior Advisor

Government of Malta
William
William Priestley

Director, Maritime Transport

Government of Ireland
BrianWessel
Brian Wessel

Director General

Danish Maritime Authority
Stewartforwebsite
Stewart Sarkozy-Banoczy

CEO

World Ocean Council
Veronica
Veronica Manfredi

Director, Zero Pollution
DG ENV

European Commission
Alicia
Alicia Bugeja Said

Parliamentary Secretary for Fisheries, Aquaculture & Animal Rights

Government of Malta
Nadiaonline
Nadia Antoniou

Senior Manager, EU Public Affairs

Booking.com
Roberto
Roberto Alberti

SVP and Chief Corporate Officer

Costa Cruises
Heino NAU
Heino Nau

Coordinator - International
Blue Economy
DG MARE

European Commission
Szymon
Szymon Oscislowski

Deputy Head of Unit, Maritime Transport
DG MOVE

European Commission
Markhoolwerf
Mark Hoolwerf

Deputy Director

Port of Amsterdam
Carles Rúa Costa
Carles Rúa Costa

Chief Innovation Officer

Port of Barcelona
William
William Priestley

Director, Maritime Transport

Government of Ireland
Virginia
Virginia Messina

SVP Advocacy

World Travel & Tourism Council
Mark Nicklas
Mark Nicklas

Head of Unit, Mobility
DG GROW

European Commission
Matthias
Matthías Ólafsson

Executive Consultant

eFuel Alliance
Istvan
István Ujhelyi

Founder, Capital European Affairs; and

United Nations Tourism Ambassador to the EU
Hermes, Philipp
Philippe Hermes

Founder

Téthys Naval
Govert
Govert Meijer

CEO

GBM Works
Edaforwebsite
Eda Bayar

Expert

European Environment Agency
Marga Hauttekeete2
Marga Hauttekeete

General Manager MTD; and President

Euroshore International
Agneforwebsite
Agnė Lukoševičienė

Environmental and Permitting Projects Manager

Ignitis Renewables
Tobiasonline
Tobias Troll

Marine Policy Director

Seas At Risk
Felixforwebsite
Felix Leinemann

Head of Unit, Blue Economy Sectors - Aquaculture and MSP
DG MARE

European Commission
Frode
Frode Dal Fjeldavli

Co-ordinator

Sustainable Blue Economy Partnership
Andreea
Andreea Staicu

Deputy Head of Unit, Tourism
DG MOVE

European Commission
Jacopoforwebsite
Jacopo Signorile

Partner

KPMG
Arpadnew
Árpád Török

Founder & CEO

Fullsulate
Vera
Vera Coelho

Deputy Vice President, Europe

Oceana
Sanja photo prof
Sanja Miovčić

Executive Director

Foreign Investors Council
Mariana
Mariana Oleskiv

Member of the Advisory Board

Capital European Affairs

Agenda

István Ujhelyi, Former, MEP, President, Capital European Affairs, and United Nations Tourism Ambassador to the EU (confirmed)

9:05am – 9:15am             Keynote Speech

  • Costas Kadis, EU Commissioner for Fisheries and Oceans, European Commission (confirmed) *video speech

 

9:15pm – 9:25pm             Keynote Speech

  • Brian Adrian Wessel, Director General, Danish Maritime Authority (confirmed)

 

9:25pm – 9:35pm             Keynote Speech

  • Karmenu Vella, former EU Commissioner; senior advisor to the Maltese Government (confirmed)

 

9:35am – 9:45am             Keynote Speech

  • Stewart Sarkozy-Banoczy, CEO, World Ocean Council (confirmed)

The maritime transport sector, including shipping, shipbuilding and maritime technology, is a big contributor to the EU’s agenda of jobs, growth and competitiveness and the backbone to the EU’s trade and supply chains. Technological advancements and digitalisation are helping to improve efficiencies and security in the supply chain. Also, green technologies and alternative fuels are helping to reduce the environmental impact of maritime transport while providing opportunities for the maritime manufacturing value chain. This session will consider the overall role of the maritime transport sector in supporting EU competitiveness. Participants will also explore the different initiatives to reduce the environmental impact of the sector and the work that still needs to be done.

  • How can the maritime sector strengthen EU competitiveness?
  • To what extent can the EU maintain Europe’s position as a global tech leader and ensure competitiveness?
  • What technologies are available to ensure the EU’s Shipping sector meets its climate and environmental goals?
  • How are policymakers working with industry to support the deployment of tech in the maritime sector to meet its climate targets?
  • What challenges do shipowners, shipbuilders and maritime technology providers, face and what measures are policymakers taking to support them?
  • How are renewable and low-carbon fuels accelerating decarbonisation?
  • How are policymakers supporting the affordability and availability of these fuels?
  • What work is being done to mitigate maritime transportation effects on air quality, water quality and the wider marine ecosystem?

 

Moderator:                            William Glucroft, Deputy Editor, The Parliament Magazine (confirmed)

9:35am – 9:55am             Setting the scene – the view from policymakers

  • Szymon Oscislowski, Deputy Head of Unit, Maritime Transport, DG MOVE, European Commission (confirmed)
  • Mark Nicklas, Head of Unit, Mobility, DG GROW, European Commission (confirmed)

 

9:55am – 10:25am          Industry Panel Discussion

  • Jacopo Signorile, Partner, KPMG (confirmed)
  • Matthías Ólafsson, Executive Consultant, eFuel Alliance (confirmed)
  • Roberto Alberti, SVP and Chief Corporate Officer, Costa Cruises (confirmed)

 

10:25am – 10:35pm       The final word

  • Szymon Oscislowski, Deputy Head of Unit, Maritime Transport, DG MOVE, European Commission (confirmed)
  • Mark Nicklas, Head of Unit, Mobility, DG GROW, European Commission (confirmed)

European ports play an essential role in the EU’s economy, from driving economic growth and employment, facilitating trade, ensuring energy security, and driving regional development. European ports are also at the forefront of implementing environmental and sustainable practices. This session will explore the multifaceted role of ports in Europe’s economy and how they contribute to the EU’s competitiveness and future development in an evolving global context.

  • How are technological advancements, environmental challenges and evolving trade dynamics driving developments across European ports?
  • What are the main developments and how are they supporting European competitiveness?
  • What strategies and initiatives are supporting the sustainability transition towards green ports?
  • To what extent can ports play a role in the energy transition?

 

Moderator: Sanja Miovčić, Executive Director, Foreign investors Council (confirmed)

Speakers:

  • Mark Hoolwerf, Deputy Director, Port of Amsterdam (confirmed)
  • Carles Rúa Costa, Chief Innovation Officer, Port of Barcelona (confirmed)
  • Marga Hauttekeete, General Manager MTD; and President,  Euroshore International (confirmed)
  • Fernando Vizoso Estrades, Partner, Infrastructure & Transport, KPMG (confirmed)
  • Árpád Török, Founder & CEO, Fullsulate (confirmed)

Marine renewable energy is the cornerstone of Europe’s strategy to enhance its competitiveness on the global stage. By driving technological innovation, ensuring energy security, creating jobs, and fostering sustainable economic growth, marine renewable energy not only supports Europe’s economic ambitions but also contributes to wider environmental and social goals. This session will explore the impact of different technologies and marine renewable energy sources on the EU’s economic and environmental goals. Participants will consider the crucial role of policymakers at EU, Member State and local level in advancing marine renewable energy, including regulatory frameworks, strategic funding initiatives and cooperation & partnerships.

  • How does the growth of the EU marine renewable energy sector contribute to its wider sustainability, energy security and economic competitiveness goals?
  • What infrastructure requirements are necessary to support the deployment of marine renewable energy?
  • What is being done to ensure marine ecosystems and biodiversity are not impacted?
  • What funding programmes are available to support the deployment of marine renewable technologies?
  • How is the EU supporting job creation and workforce development?

 

Moderator: Stewart Sarkozy-Banoczy, CEO, World Ocean Council (confirmed)

Speakers:

  • Gesine Meissner, Coordinator, European Maritime Space (confirmed)
  • Eda Bayar, Expert, European Environment Agency (confirmed)
  • Agnė Lukoševičienė, Environmental and Permitting Projects Manager, Ignitis Renewables (confirmed)
  • Govert Meijer, CEO, GBM Works (confirmed)
  • William Priestley, Director, Maritime Transport and Offshore Renewable Energy, Department of Transportation, Government of Ireland (confirmed)

2:10pm – 2:20pm – Keynote Speech         

  • Veronica Manfredi, Director, Zero pollution, DG ENV, European Commission (confirmed)

 

2:20pm – 2:25pm – Keynote Video Speech            

  • Christophe Clergeau MEP, Vice Chair of S&D Group, Member of the ENVI Committee (confirmed) * video presentation

 

2:25pm – 2:40pm  – Keynote Fireside Discussion  

  • István Ujhelyi, Former, MEP, President, Capital European Affairs, and United Nations Tourism Ambassador to the EU (confirmed)
  • Virginia Messina, SVP Advocacy, World Travel & Tourism Council (confirmed)

Coastal tourism is one of the most popular and economically significant forms of tourism for the EU, particularly for southern Member States, and ensuring its sustainability is essential for achieving broader climate, economic and environmental objectives. This session will consider the role of the coastal tourism sector and its sub-sectors in supporting the EU meet its wider economic and environmental objectives. Participants will discuss the key trends and drivers supporting the sustainability of the sector, and ways to establish a fully sustainable sector.

  • How is the coastal tourism sector balancing economic growth and environmental sustainability?
  • What efforts are the cruise tourism industry taking to achieve short-term targets whilst ensuring future-proof sustainability?
  • How are sub-sectors, including the hospitality sector, promoting sustainable practices?
  • How is the tourism industry working together with policymakers at all levels to ensure sustainability?
  • How are policymakers (through regulatory and non-regulatory frameworks) supporting industry reach net-zero?

 

Moderator: Mariana Oleskiv, Member of the Advisory Board, Capital European Affairs (confirmed)

Speakers:

  • Elena Kountoura MEP, Vice-Chair, TRAN Committee, European Parliament (confirmed)
  • Nikolina Brnjac MEP, Member, TRAN Committee, European Parliament (confirmed)
  • Dr Heino Nau, Coordinator – International Blue Economy, DG MARE, European Commission (confirmed)
  • Andreea Staicu, Deputy Head of Unit, Tourism, DG GROW, European Commission (confirmed)
  • Representative, Royal Caribbean Group (confirmed – speaker name tbc)
  • Nadia Antoniou, Senior Manager, EU Public Affairs, Booking.com (confirmed)

The fisheries and aquaculture sectors can play a hugely important role in terms of EU competitiveness and sustainability. Both sectors align well with the EU’s broader objectives, contributing to food security, job creation and enhanced environmental sustainability. However, for these sectors to realise their potential of fully supporting EU goals, additional work needs to be done. This session will explore the measures being taken, including promoting cleaner energy sources and reducing the impact on marine ecosystems and coastal communities. Participants will consider the latest policy developments and the role of all stakeholders to ensure a more sustainable aquaculture and fisheries sector.

  • What role can the fisheries and aquaculture sectors play in building a more competitive and sustainable EU?
  • How are policymakers supporting the industry meet EU goals?
  • What work is being done at EU and Member State level to restore nature and align with the goals set out by the Nature Restoration Law?
  • How is the Common Fisheries Policy helping to preserve marine ecosystems?
  • What technologies and innovations are helping to improve efficiencies throughout the sectors?

 

Moderator: Vera Coelho, Deputy Vice President, Europe, Oceana (confirmed)

Speakers:

  • Stéphanie Yon-Courtin MEP, Vice Chair of the PECH Committee, European Parliament (confirmed)
  • Felix Leinemann, Head of Unit, Blue Economy Sectors – Aquaculture and Maritime Spatial planning, DG MARE, European Commission (confirmed)
  • Alicia Bugeja Said, Parliamentary Secretary for Fisheries, Aquaculture and Animal Rights, Government of Malta (confirmed)
  • Frode Dal Fjeldavli, Co-ordinator, Sustainable Blue Economy Partnership (confirmed)
  • Tobias Troll, Marine Policy Director, Seas At Risk (confirmed)
  • István Ujhelyi, Former, MEP, President, Capital European Affairs, and United Nations Tourism Ambassador to the EU (confirmed)

To discuss the agenda, please contact:

Tom Chinnock at tom.chinnock@techforclimateaction.com

Event Partners

RCGlogoforwebsite
KPMG
Costalogo
Logoforwebsite
logoforwebsite
TNforwebsite
Logo for website
WOCforwebsite
Euroshorelogoforwebsite
SEforwebsite
CEAforwebsite
logoforwebsite

Headline Media Partner

PRINT READY_THEPARLIAMENT-LOGO_2022_FULL COLOUR_RGB[49]

Media Partners

Energy tech Review Logo.png
Energetyka Wodna

Event Partners

Event Partners

sap-logo
BentleyLOGO_BLK_complete[32]
EY_Logo_Beam_Tag_Stacked_RGB_EN

Organised by

Motislogoforwordpress

Costs

Corporate

Corporate / Trade Association
99
Free
  • Discount until 21st January 2025

Reduced

NGO / Not-for-Profit
49
Free
  • Discount until 21st January 2025

Academic

Academic / Student
39
Free
  • Discount until 21st January 2025

Complimentary

Government / Policymaker
Free

Press / Media

Journalist / Press
Free
  •  

Event Venue

NH Collection Grand Sablon
Rue Bodenbroek 2, 1000 Brussels
 
A Green Key Certified Establishment
The Green Key certificate is a leading standard for excellence in the field of environmental responsibility and sustainable operation within
the tourism industry.

Contact

For more information on any aspect of this event, please contact 

Tom Chinnock

tom.chinnock@techforclimateaction.com

2023 Edition

The European Blue Economy conference featured over 150 delegates and a notably diverse forum of speakers. The conference successfully explored concepts, ideas, challenges and opportunities on the role that technology and innovation can play in supporting a sustainable blue economy in Europe.

This conference supports the Sustainable Development Goals

Disclaimer: The content of this website has not been approved by the United Nations and does not reflect the views of the United Nations or its officials or Member States