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📍 Hybrid event
🗓 11 – 13 May 2022
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Inspiring Blue Futures
According to the United Nations, the Ocean Economy has a yearly turnover between USD 3 to 6 trillion. The environmental NGO WWF estimated the global ocean assets to be worth at least USD 24 trillion. Even if the precise figure might be difficult to calculate, it is undeniable that the blue economy has an immense value for our society, that for many, remains unknown. However, at the core of the blue economy are the oceans and bodies of water, of which the health of our planet greatly depends on, and its importance exceeds the potential economic benefits of the exploitation of its resources. Coastal regions are at the forefront of the protection of the oceans and the seas. Port Cities’ reason of being is its connection to the seas and the oceans. Although obvious, we often forget or undervalue this basic fact. This specific geographic location puts port cities in a privileged position to develop the blue economy.
It will be impossible to successfully quest the UN’s sustainable development agenda if we ignore the protection of the oceans and are not capable of delineating strategies for a balanced use of its abundant resources. This mission and the development of the Blue Economy are transversal to the 10 goals of the AIVP Agenda 2030, for example in climate change adaptation, the energy transition, the protection of biodiversity, developing the sea culture, sustainable tourism, or appropriate food systems, among others. 2022 is a crucial year to impulse the blue economy and the protection of the oceans, as claimed by the international community. AIVP is fully committed with this effort, demonstrating the implications for port cities, as it was visible during the One Ocean Summit in February. Our conference in Tangier entitled “Inspiring Blue Futures” will contribute to this global movement, continuing with the UN Ocean Conference in June, and the COP27 in November.
With the concept of “Inspiring Blue Futures”, AIVP wants to highlight the importance of port cities in this mission and several subjects for the future of our societies, our economy and our environment. In our conference we will see how these Blue Futures will be characterized by innovative solutions for decarbonized logistic chains and port cities, building on alternative fuels and electrification of infrastructure, marine renewable energies, digitalization, or even carbon capture based on aquatic nature (the best carbon sinks are wetlands and the seabed). We will also address how Blue Futures will also require new approaches to restoration of natural habitats, sustainable coastal tourism, or food systems including aquaculture and sustainable fishing.
In Tangier AIVP members, port and urban actors, will share the new projects that are already implementing these blue economy fields. We will also learn how they are adapting the territories and infrastructure to climate change and training port city professionals that will work in new hubs focused on the Ocean’s economy. We will discuss how to create and support sociocultural connections between the blue economy, the port and the inhabitants, and what governance model better answer this mission, counting with the citizens. We will also discover what this Moroccan port city is doing to enhance its connection to the water, in the junction between the Mediterranean and the Atlantic. Protecting the planet also means protecting the oceans thanks to the action of port cities. As hubs of globalization, they have specific and effective levers for action, it is time to work together for this goal.
Join us in Tangier to find out how we can work for sustainable Blue Futures!
