Promoting the Blue Economy in the Mediterranean Sea Basin 2019

ended

The objective of the action is to contribute to the further implementation of the UfM Ministerial Declaration on the Blue Economy and to support the work of three components of the Blue Economy Forum and notably, the Blue Economy Working Group, the Stakeholder Conference/Event and the Mediterranean Blue Economy Stakeholder Platform. Due to the COVID-19 outbreak, the March 2020 UfM Stakeholder Conference on Blue Economy has been adapted to the new circumstances. The Stakeholder Conference could not take place as such; as immediate alternative modality to the in-person event, an Online Stakeholders Consultation was organized. Specific Objectives The specific objectives relate to supporting the technical capacities of the UfM Secretariat on maritime issues and blue economy in order to carry out the assignments tasked by the established UfM Working Group, upon directions received at ministerial level. A 2nd UfM Ministerial conference on Blue Economy, tentatively scheduled in early 2020 (postponed to the 2nd February 2021 due to the COVID-19 outbreak and subject to the global health recommendations and travel restrictions), will be advanced at the UfM Senior Officials Meeting in June 2019 (postponed to 14th October 2020, due to the COVID-19 outbreak). The specific objectives include: • Objective 1. Continuing with a view to reinforcing the regional dialogue on Blue economy/integrated maritime policy; • Objective 2. Reinforcement of the Blue Economy regional agenda and portfolio, with the identification and promotion of initiatives and projects in line with the Mediterranean BE Ministerial recommendations • Objective 3. Maximize networking and information sharing among relevant Blue Economy stakeholders The set objectives of the project will help directly the Secretariat with the specific technical capacity needed to perform the tasks needed to support the Ministerial decisions of the 43 UfM countries, both those taken and those being formulated for the 2nd potential Ministerial on Blue Economy of 2020.