Today I addressed the final SEArica conference for this mandate which focused on EU Blue Deal. As Vice Chair for #SMEs and #Digitalisation , I stressed the need for a balanced, resilient, and inclusive blue economy that leaves no one, and no region, behind.

Searica Intergroup

Marking the end of the mandate, yet confident in SEArica's enduring journey ahead! Thank you to all!

With warm wishes from speakers for a renewal of the Intergroup, Tonino Picula underlines the importance of maritime traditions, but also to look ahead with future A.I challenges.🌊

Underlining the need to involve blue stakeholders by design, Delilah Al Khudhairy, Director for Maritime Policy & Blue Economy EU Maritime & Fish, presents 1st messages from the #EuropeanBlueForum , among them the importance of cumulative impacts & dialogues.
➡️Read: bit.ly/3IpMv8s

MEP Catherine Chabaud welcomes achievements on:
🔹Blue Carbon
🔹Wind Propulsion & potential for 🇪🇺 shipbuilding
🔹Marine Renewable Energies, needing integrated Maritime Spatial Planning
🔹international negotiations

Calling for a #BlueDeal with a holistic vision on Ocean issues! 🌊

💬In light of rapid changes for maritime & coastal communities, MEP & SEArica Vice-Chair for the Baltic Sea Nils Torvalds stressed the need for adapted legislation, calling for simplification and to avoid approaches in siloes

💬MEP & SEArica Vice-Chair for digital & SMEs Josianne Cutajar stresses the importance of skills for the Blue Economy & calls for improved consideration of island specificities in EU policy so that neither islands nor coastal regions are left behind🌊

💬MEP Jan-Christoph Oetjen, EP Vice-President & SEArica Vice-Chair for Maritime Transports & North Sea, underlines the vital role of ports and coastal areas for a successful #EUGreenDeal

He welcomes SEArica discussions on wind propulsion and #FuelEU : time to look at the implementation!

Keynote by Kestutis Sadauskas, Deputy DG EU Maritime & Fish

💬 Reflecting on the mandate, he underlined the importance of the blue dimension of #EU policies to achieve EU objectives

He thanked SEArica for being a significant space to address maritime issues with a cross-sectoral approach

🔴OPENING | MEP & SEArica Chair Tonino Picula opens the discussion, recalling how maritime and coastal areas have become integral parts of the solution to multiple crises.

Thank you MEP Picula for your dedication to seas, rivers, islands & coastal areas during this mandate! 🌊

What should the next generation of 🇪🇺 maritime policies look like in light of the growing strategic importance of seas, rivers, islands & coastal areas?

Let's discuss this major issue today at the SEArica Intergroup Final Conference, hosted by SEArica Chair MEP Tonino Picula🌊

The #EuropeanBlueForum papers are out! Have a look at them using the link below.

We will present them in the Searica Intergroup next 7th March in the #EuropeanParliament .

Stay tuned to be part of the #future of our #EuropeanSeas ! 🌊

In loving memory of MEP Erik Bergkvist, SEARica Vice-Chair for the Arctic and friend.

Wrap up with insights from MEP Josianne Cutajar, SEArica Vice-Chair for Blue SMEs & Digitalisation! 🌊

Josianne Cutajar underlined that coastal & maritime regions are affected quicker: this should be an incentive to work harder & smarter for the future of coastal communities 🌍

Adaptation, mitigation: how will the EU support resilience to secure a sustainable future of coastal and maritime communities❓

We are discussing perspectives on:
🔹 Trends & projections with EU EnvironmentAgency
🔹 Investment with the European Investment Bank
🔹Potential of innovation with EIT Climate-KIC

Elena Visnar Malinovska, HoU for Adaptation & Resilience to Climate Change EU Climate Action, gives an overview of current EU support. While gaps in policy readiness remain, she underlines the need for a➕ systemic approach

🌊Islands & coastal regions are already on #climatechange frontline.

Representing realities from different EU sea-basins, Valencia, Helsinki, Pays de la Loire regions, Malta & INSULEUR share their experiences,lessons learnt and adaptation measures for resilient infrastructure🌍

Ready to dive into a discussion on a major challenge🌊

MEP Josianne Cutajar SEArice Vice-Chair, set the tone for today’s meeting: to seek efficient climate resilience for coastal & maritime communities, we also need to encourage innovation, education, & more collaboration🤝

🌊Over the past 4 years, the vital role of seas, rivers, islands, coastal areas has gained significant importance to address major crises.

For our final event hosted by SEArica Chair Tonino Picula, join us to discuss the next generation of 🇪🇺maritime policies➡️bit.ly/3SGJB3T