SEArica Conference on the Black Sea: How can regional frameworks foster sustainable blue growth in the Black Sea basin?

In May 2019, during the Romanian Presidency of the Council of the European Union, the Strategic Research and Innovation Agenda for the Black Sea (SRIA) and the Common Maritime Agenda (CMA) for the Black Sea were launched, providing the framework for a more sustainable economic growth in the Black Sea basin.

In this context, and particularly amidst the COVID-19 pandemic and its impacts on the sectors covered by both the Black Sea SRIA and CMA, the Seas, Rivers, Islands and Coastal Areas Intergroup organised an event to present the political and scientific framework for the Black Sea and discuss with key stakeholders how the EU can answer the needs of the main sectors contributing to the blue economy in the Black Sea region.

The workshop aimed at providing a dialogue platform amongst EU and national policy-makers, and key regional stakeholders to encourage a debate that will allow for better understanding of the purpose of the main EU strategies focusing on the blue economy in the region. It also motivated regional stakeholders to become actively involved in the successful implementation of these frameworks’ objectives, and more importantly, bring forward their perspective concerning the Black Sea region. 

After an opening by the European Commission, the event was designed as a round table. Representatives of the main sectors involved discussed with the coordinators the impact of the COVID-19 crisis on their sectors and regional communities. The workshop provided the opportunity to share the views of stakeholders on the short and mid-term perspectives and initiatives that could be taken to support the blue economy in the region.