AquaBioTech Group team took part in the WestMED Initiative Stakeholder Conference 2023, held on Thursday, 22nd June 2023 in Malta.  

This exciting event brought together all stakeholders from policy, academia, business and society, while providing the right framework to build synergies and engage all actors in the sustainable blue economy. 

Following the political statements and commitments, we engaged in several panel sessions that the WestMED Initiative actively facilitates:  Sustainable Aquaculture, Green Shipping & Ports and Maritime Clusters – plus some of the latest developments regarding Maritime Spatial Planning, Sustainable Tourism and Blue Skills/ Ocean Literacy; all lined with inspiring projects that have been supported. 

Our ECOP Programme – Northern Africa Node Coordinator and RDI Project Coordinator, Ines Boujmil, was present in the panel dedicated to Maritime Clusters and the importance of involving Early Career Ocean Professionals (ECOPs)in co-creating solutions and innovative ideas for a healthy and resilient Mediterranean Sea. The ECOP Programme based in the Mediterranean region established partnerships with the WestMED clusters to strengthen the transfer of knowledge and Technologies between ECOPs and Experienced Ocean Professionals (EOPs).  

The conference was concluded by honouring exceptional projects that provide innovative and replicable solutions embodying the WestMED’s Initiative’s vision for the Western Mediterranean. The inspiring ceremony and the pitching session of the selected projects, was a great opportunity to network with different stakeholders and join our efforts and avoid duplicating our activities. For your reference, the winning projects are: NewTechAqua, Galatea, Marine Hound, Bleu Adapt, and the ultimate winner is: We are blue schools!