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

Keynote speakers to be announced

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?

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?

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?

Keynote Speech – View from the European Commission

• Representative, DG ENV, European Commission (confirmed – speaker name tbc)

Keynote Speech

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

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?