Kerala capital to host two-day blue economy conclave

Representatives from 29 European countries are expected to attend a two-day blue economy conclave in the State capital on September 18 and 19, Minister for Fisheries Saji Cherian has said.

The conclave ‘Blue Tides-Two Shores One Vision’ is being organised by the State’s Fisheries department in collaboration with the Union government and the European Union (EU).

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

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

Sustainable model

The event will come out with a road map 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 in the event are Finland, France, Hungary, Poland, Slovakia, Slovenia, Sweden, Denmark, Bulgaria, Austria, Malta, Spain, Italy, the Netherlands, Belgium, Romania and Germany.

The Fisheries department and other government departments will present before the delegates a host of projects in which the countries participating in the meet can potentially collaborate on, 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 research and development; and start-up innovation, the Minister said.

Global expertise

The meet will also seek to bring together 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, Mr. Cherian met Union Minister for Ports, Shipping, and Waterways Sarbananda Sonowal, Union Minister for Fisheries Rajiv Ranjan Singh, and Union Minister of State for Fisheries George Kurian to invite them to the conclave.