High-level panel 1 : Sea Basin Strategies as key enablers for the implementation of the Sustainable Blue Economy

In May 2021, the European Commission adopted a new approach for a Sustainable Blue Economy in the EU, which sets out a detailed agenda for the blue economy to play a major role in achieving the European Green Deal objectives. Three years after its adoption, substantial progress has been made in translating the vision outlined in the Sustainable Blue Economy approach into tangible actions.

At EMD 2024 in Svendborg we will take stock of these advancements, and specifically of the role that the EU Sea Basin Strategies have played and can play in the future. In particular, the High-Level Panel on Day 1 at EMD will showcase the role of Sea Basin Strategies as a driving and enabling force in the implementation of the Sustainable Blue Economy policy framework, while defining new ambitions and pointing towards concrete areas of future policy cooperation.

The Presidencies of the three Sea Basin Strategies in the Atlantic, the Black Sea and the Western Mediterranean are well positioned to reflect on the challenges and opportunities ahead, as well as future priorities for the EU sea basins in the next five years. Participants will discuss the added value of EU sea basins collaborative work, including through greater overall synergies and coordination.

Moderator: Charlina Vladimirova Vitcheva, Director-General,European Commission- DG MARE

• Andreas Nordseth, Director General, Danish Maritime Authority

• Eric Banel, Director General for Maritime Affairs, Fisheries, and Aquaculture Representative from the French Presidency in the Atlantic and the Greater North Sea Initiative

• Marisa Lameiras da Silva, Director-General for Maritime Policy, PT & WestMed Initiative Steering Committee Co-chair

• Grigore Stratulat, State Secretary, Ministry for Environment, Moldovan Chairmanship in the Black Sea Common Maritime Agenda