Representatives from 29 European Countries Expected for Sept 18-19 Blue Economy Conclave

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM:

Representatives from 29 European countries are expected to attend the two-day Blue Economy Conclave planned here on September 18 and 19, Minister for Fisheries, Culture and Youth Affairs Saji Cherian said today.

The conclave, “Blue Tides-Two Shores One Vision”, is being organized by the Department of Fisheries, Government of Kerala, in collaboration with the Government of India and the European Union.

Representatives from 17 European countries have already confirmed participation to the event, which will be attended by EU Ambassador to India and Bhutan Hervé Delphin, Cherian said.

The event, to be held at The Leela Kovalam, will see leading experts and stakeholders from India and Europe converging for sharing their thoughts on a range of blue economy themes and forging partnerships.

The event will come out with a roadmap for developing Kerala as a sustainable and resilient blue economy model, leveraging the EU’s expertise and the strategic advantages of the state’s blue economy.

The countries that have confirmed participation to the event are Finland, France, Hungary, Poland, Slovakia, Slovenia, Sweden, Denmark, Bulgaria, Austria, Malta, Spain, Italy, Netherlands, Belgium, Romania and Germany.

The Fisheries Department and other government departments will present before the delegates a host of viable projects that have the potential to attract collaboration of the participating countries, the Minister said.

Key objectives of the meet include fostering sustainable development through ocean-based economic growth by building EU-Kerala partnership in marine logistics, marine fisheries, aquaculture, coastal tourism, renewable marine energy, and green technologies, promoting skill development, academic collaboration, labour mobility, policy innovation, joint R &D and startup innovation, the Minister said.

The meet will also seek to connect the global expertise and local innovation to advance fisheries and aquaculture, modernise coastal infrastructure, nurture skills and innovation and unlock investment opportunities.

Policy leaders, industry experts, investors, academics and innovators will share their ideas and perspectives in various sessions.

Earlier this week, Saji Cherian met Union Minister for Ports, Shipping, and Waterways Sarbananda Sonowal, Union Minister of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying Rajiv Ranjan Singh and Union Minister of State, Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry & Dairying, George Kurian to invite them to the conclave.