Following the 2018 Burgas Ministerial Declaration towards a Common Maritime Agenda for the Black Sea, the Facility for Blue Growth organized the Regional stakeholder seminar on blue economy. The seminar took place on 19 March 2019 in Istanbul, Turkey. It was attended by representatives of Via Pontica Foundation.
The Seminar was organised with the support of the European Commission and the Black Sea Economic Cooperation, Permanent International Secretariat (BSEC PERMIS).
Following a series of national roundtables in various Black Sea coastal countries, was given the opportunity to hear different opinions and views on areas of mutual interest and the actions needed to support the blue economy in the region.
The discussions were organised around the following topics:
- Research and innovation;
- Maritime connectivity;
- Fisheries and aquaculture;
- Sustainability;
- Coastal and maritime tourism;
- Blue careers and skills.
The seminar gathered policy experts, scientists, entrepreneurs and regional organisations to debate on the challenges and opportunities for cooperation on marine and maritime affairs in the Black Sea and which also sought to identify joint actions to support an innovative, resilient and sustainable blue economy in the region.