Conference of Peripheral Maritime Regions (CPMR), Forum of Coastal Regions: millions of users of the seaConference of Peripheral Maritime Regions (CPMR), Forum of Coastal Regions: millions of users of the sea

“Check on delivery”

Ladies and gentlemen,

I am happy to join this Forum today, as it touches on one of the key aspects of our new ambition for a sustainable blue economy: the participation of regional actors in good governance through a sea basin approach.

[On the SBE Communication]

When it comes to blue economy policy in Europe, our focus has changed dramatically. We have moved from “blue growth” to a “sustainable blue economy”. This means that we no longer celebrate growth for growth’s sake, regardless of its environmental and social dimension. We no longer accept growth when it leads to pollution, climate change or loss of biodiversity. Instead, we want to develop a blue economy that contributes to solutions and helps restore balance to our planet. This is where the sector’s long-term, sustainable growth opportunities lie.

Our new approach asks each Blue Sector to adopt sustainable business models, develop clean products and technologies, and reduce the cumulative effects of its activities on the marine environment.

But above all, this new approach requires us to work together.

The shift to creating a sustainable blue economy will only work if all actors and sectors are working in the same direction. Member States, regions, companies large and small, the scientific community, local authorities and the general public: everyone will have to make serious and sustained efforts.

Cooperation must become more strategic and horizontal. It must go beyond national and regional borders and cross levels of governance and sectors of activity.

For this, we have a key tool, which is Maritime Spatial Planning.

We have already started to manage our space in a rational and fair way – our rules in this matter are unique in the world.

We are now creating a new forum for sea users, the Blue Forum, for all actors in fishing, shipping, tourism and renewable energies to come together and develop synergies in favor of the decarbonization process.

And we have a key player: the coastal regions.

[On the role of Regions and CPMR]

The CPMR has actively contributed to the preparation of our new policy, highlighting how coastal regions are at the heart of EU investments towards a sustainable blue economy. They can apply tailored policies. They can mobilize their industry and their academics, and they can help organizations seeking public funding for their projects.

Speaking of funding, many Coastal States Recovery and Resilience Facility plans already include substantial investments in the sustainable blue economy, amounting to some €10.5 billion.

Moreover, coastal regions are the engine for multi-level governance and stakeholder involvement – ​​exactly what we need to deliver our new sustainable approach.

In this context, I will specifically mention the Brittany Region for its desire to develop its own integrated regional maritime and coastal strategy. I hope you can lead the way.

We may need a “facilitator”, and that is what the CPMR can do: support regions and connect efforts across EU sea basins.

[On the sea-basin dimension]

The Commission promotes sea basin cooperation in all EU waters, with excellent results.

I will just give you the example of the Atlantic – since we are in Brest. We have had an Atlantic strategy for 10 years which, even before its update in 2020, had generated 1200 new maritime projects and almost 6 billion euros in investments from the EU, the European Investment Bank and from national, regional and private sources. We now have an updated action plan covering France, Ireland, Portugal and Spain and enabling the regions to be more closely involved.

In addition, smart specialization strategies represent a key opportunity, not only to prioritize regional investments in research and innovation in blue economy sectors, but also to promote interregional partnerships and value chains. blue economy beyond borders.

As a result, we are setting up the Smart Specialization Thematic Platform for a Sustainable Blue Economy which will help regions and actors from different sea basins to exploit new opportunities.

The maritime basin dimension is also relevant in the context of the “lighthouses” to be activated for the Mission “Restore our Ocean and our Waters by 2030”.

The lighthouses will show how to restore the health of our oceans and waters through technological innovation, social innovation and multi-level governance.

It is no coincidence that they are organized by basin: one for the Atlantic-Arctic coasts, one for the Mediterranean Sea, one for the Baltic Sea-North Sea and one for the Danube. The first calls for the lighthouses are already open.

Equally important, at the sea basin level, is the work on Ocean Literacy. The EU4Ocean coalition has already organized a number of regional events that raise awareness and promote youth activism on marine protection.

[Concluding remarks]

To conclude, dear colleagues, the post-pandemic recovery of blue economy sectors is a collective challenge that requires a collective response. Regions can and should take the lead in the transition to sustainability.

Next year, the European Maritime Days will take place in Brest. This will be a good opportunity to take stock of the implementation of our sustainable approach and design the next steps.

I would like to thank the CPMR again for promoting regional maritime cooperation in all the sea basins of Europe and for maintaining a constant dialogue with us and with the European Parliament.

I highly appreciate your involvement in all our relevant policies, and welcome you to the Clean Energy Industrial Forum Offshore Renewable Energy Working Group, so that the regional voice is present.

I would also like to congratulate the French Presidency of the European Union and the Brittany Region for organizing the One Planet Summit.

2022 seems like the year the ocean finally gets the attention it deserves.

Let’s hope this “Year of the Ocean” makes a difference. If we work together, I hope that will be the case.
Source: European Commission