UfM conference highlights role of blue economy

The Union for the Mediterranean (UfM) Regional Stakeholder Conference on the Blue Economy, kicked off Wednesday in Italy's Naples, bringing together over 400 key stakeholders dealing with marine and maritime issues from the entire region.

The participants include government representatives, regional and local authorities, international organizations, academia, the private sector and civil society, the UfM said in a press release on Wednesday.

The main objective of this two-day event is to consolidate a Mediterranean blue economy community working on sustainable development solutions for the region, as well as to create partnerships and initiatives to harness the potential for blue growth.

The conference will feature 12 thematic workshops on the whole range of sectors covered by the blue economy, namely blue jobs and training, research and innovation, blue entrepreneurship, coast guard cooperation, marine protected areas, offshore energy, coastal and maritime tourism, fisheries and aquaculture.

The event will also see the participation of the EU Commissioner for Environment, Maritime affairs and Fisheries, Karmenu Vella, UfM Secretary General Fathallah Sijilmassi and Italian Minister Plenipotentiary and Coordinator for Euro-Mediterranean Multilateral Affairs Enrico Granara.

Source : Mena