AIR Centre co-organises Atlantic workshop on Blue Economy at EMD 2025

The AIR Centre is pleased to participate in the upcoming European Maritime Day (EMD) 2025, taking place in Cork, Ireland, from 21 to 23 May 2025. EMD is the flagship annual event of the European Union dedicated to maritime affairs and the sustainable blue economy. It serves as a key platform for professionals, policymakers, researchers, and stakeholders to engage in dialogue, exchange knowledge, and shape the future of Europe’s maritime sectors. As part of her role as Atlantic Ocean Contact Node at the Sustainable Blue Economy Partnership - SBEP, Dr Natalia Ospina-Alvarez, AIR Centre’s Coordinator of Biodiversity and Blue Economy, will be co-organising and facilitating a dedicated side event, titled "Blue Economy for the All Atlantic” Sustainable Blue Economy Partnership Regional Workshop on 21 May (09:30 – 12:30), co-organised by Sustainable Blue Economy Partnership, Directorate-General for Research and Innovation (DG RTD), European Commission and OKEANO CSA. This workshop is part of a broader series of sea-basin-focused events coordinated under the Sustainable Blue Economy Partnership, a joint initiative of the European Union aimed at fostering sustainable, inclusive, and innovation-driven blue economies. The Atlantic workshop will focus on Coastal Resilience in the Atlantic area, a critical issue in the context of climate change, socio-economic vulnerability, and ecosystem degradation. The workshop will convene a diverse group of experts, policymakers, and regional stakeholders to identify and discuss practical, science-based solutions to key challenges such as climate adaptation, nature-based solutions, sustainable marine resource management, and the socio-economic dimensions of resilience. The programme includes two interactive sessions:

1. Enhancing Coastal Resilience: Challenges and Opportunities Across the Atlantic Ocean
2. World Café Discussions, with thematic tables focused on:
   • International Cooperation
   • Social Aspects in Coastal Resilience
   • Nature-based Solutions and Coastal Infrastructure

By facilitating this regional dialogue, the organisers aim to strengthen cooperation among Atlantic nations and regions, promote knowledge transfer, and support the co-development of policies that balance ecological integrity with socio-economic development. Dr Ospina-Alvarez participation highlights the AIR Centre’s commitment to advancing international collaboration in marine science and policy, particularly in support of resilient and sustainable blue economies. This engagement aligns closely with the AIR Centre’s strategic objectives on biodiversity protection, sustainable use of marine resources, and regional cooperation in the Atlantic. We invite all interested stakeholders attending EMD 2025 to join the workshop and contribute to shaping a more sustainable and resilient future for the Atlantic and its communities.