Opening Ceremony, The European Ocean Pact: Today and Looking Forward & Inspiring the Next Generation of Blue Careers

Opening Ceremony (9h00-10h45 CET, SPARKS)

The European Ocean Days opens with an empowering and inspiring opening ceremony featuring an artistic performance and opening remarks from high-level speakers, including the Commissioner for Fisheries and Oceans (Costas Kadis).

The European Ocean Pact: Today and Looking Forward (10h45-12h CET, SPARKS)

The European Ocean Pact sets up a single strategic reference framework for all EU Ocean related policy actions. For the first time, it bundles all EU ocean policies ensuring coherence across all policy areas linked to the ocean. Effective ocean governance is crucial. We need coordinated efforts among governments, industries, scientists, and local communities to adopt sustainable practices and policies that promote long-term ocean health and sustainable economic development. In this high-level panel, representatives from European Commission services proposing ocean-related initiatives under the European Ocean Pact, like the Industrial Maritime Strategy, the EU Ports Strategy, the EU Sustainable Tourism Strategy, the Ocean Observation Initiative, or the revision of the Marine Strategy Framework Directive, will discuss the benefits and challenges of implementing the Pact while looking forward to its potential future impact.

Inspiring the Next Generation of Blue Careers (13h30-18h30 CET, SPARKS)

The future of our ocean starts with empowering the next generation to become informed citizens and skilled professionals. This event will explore how blue education, practical skills, and hands-on experiences can prepare young people for meaningful careers in the blue economy. Through engaging panel discussions, policymakers, education and training providers, early-career ocean professionals (ECOPs), and industry leaders will share their journeys and inspire others to take an active role in shaping a sustainable ocean future.