Malta Science and Technology event on Sustainble Blue Economy Partnership - 16 February 2023

WestMED National Hub Malta highlights its project matchmaking role during the Sustainable Blue Economy Partnership event at the Malta Council for Science and Technology

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On the 15th February, the Malta Council for Science and Technology organised an evening with stakeholders in order to launch the Sustainable Blue Economy Partnership. During the event, which was also attended by the Parliament Secretary for Youth, Research and Innovation, MCST provided a detailed overview of the Partnership including the pillars and its key enablers. MCST also explained the five Priority Areas which are the basis for the first call including:

  • Development and validation of Ocean Digital Twins at sub sea-basin scale
  • Blue generation marine structures
  • Planning and managing sea-uses
  • Healthy ‘Blue Food’ under a ’One Health’ approach
  • Enabling the green transition of ‘Blue Food’ production

This partnership provides an opportunity to continue addressing the objectives of the Westmed and creating synergies with other sea-basins.

The WestMED National Hub for Malta took the opportunity to provide an overview of the WestMED during the event to the stakeholders including the assistance provided by the Assistance Mechanism in the identification of partners for projects.

For more information, contact Stephanie Vella at  National Hub Malta

presentation at salon halieutis

WestMED shared blue economy opportunities with the aquaculture and fisheries sector at the Salon Halieutis in Morocco

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The 6th edition of the Salon Halieutis took place in Agadir from February 1st to February 5th. It is the largest international event for fisheries, aquaculture and seafood processing in Morocco.

The WestMED Assistance Mechanism, and in particular, the WestMED Hub representatives from Morocco and Mauritania,  participated in the Salon. They met with visitors at the European Stand and and organised a workshop on the ‘opportunities for blue economy in Morocco.’

Mr. Mohamed Yassine El Aroussi, Moroccan National Coordinator of the WestMED from the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries, Maritime Affairs and Rural Development, welcomed the participants of the session and praised the opportunity of organizing the WestMED event in the margin of the Halieutis Salon which provides a valuable platform for experts to come together and share their knowledge and experiences.

He also extended a warm welcome to the newly appointed Moroccan expert, Mr. Lahbib Latrach, who will be serving as the WestMED Expert Hub for Morocco. Mr. El Aroussi assured that the Moroccan focal point is ready and committed to working closely together. This cooperation is expected to bring about new and exciting opportunities for the success of the WestMED Initiative.

Mr. El Aroussi also expressed great pleasure in welcoming the Mauritanian WestMED team and the value of this participation, thus showcasing  the strong commitment of Mauritania towards the development and growth of the blue economy in the western Mediterranean.

Mr. Lahbib Latrach, introduced the WestMED Initiative background, structure, mission, vision and the corresponding technical program. He highlighted the importance of involving all stakeholders including governments, research and educational institutions, non-governmental organizations as well as the private sector to enhance innovation, building capacities, knowledge exchange in order to create a national alliance that enhances the blue economy sectors. His intervention was closed by sharing results from some assisted projects, and funding calls available for blue economy projects.

From the Mauritanian WestMED National Hub, Mr. Mohamed Lemine Abdel Hamid presented an overview of the WestMED initiative, the main projects, the opportunities of financing and the main achievments during the last four years. He also remarked during the session the priorities of the new WestMED Co-Presidency of Mauritania and Malta for 2023. At national level, Mauritania has set ambitious targets on blue economy that includes the promotion of sustainable fisheries and aquaculture, the development of a maritime cluster that brings together all the actors of the sea, development of maritime transport and development of Maritime Spatial Planning (MSP).

In the framework of the WestMED Initiative and supported by CINEA and DG MARE, the Community of Practice on Maritime Spatial Planning (MSP) for the Mediterranean was launched on January 26th at the kick-off meeting in Brussels. Ms. Laila BENSMAIL, member of the WestMED Steering Committee and national expert in MSP, presented the Community of Practice at the Salon Halieutis. The main objective of the MED-MSP-CoP is to establish a permanent communication and dialogue across borders between experts on MSP (i.e. planners, technical experts, researchers), and to exchange knowledge and relevant experiences in the region, so as to reach a shared perspective on topics of common interest on MSP and enhance the cooperation between the north and the south of the Mediterranean. Developing MSP at countries such as Morocco and Mauritania is one of the key priorities for the national governments.

Then, the European Commission (DG MARE) presented the calls for proposals in 2021 and 2022 related to the flagship projects on blue economy in the Western Mediterranean. The first call for proposals in 2021 was  aimed at strengthening competitiveness and sustainability of coastal and maritime tourism sectors in the western Mediterranean. While the 2022 call focused on two new topics: green shipping and ports and maritime clusters. More information at: https://cinea.ec.europa.eu/news-events/news/emfaf-blue-careers-and-regional-flagships-calls-proposals-are-now-open-2022-10-13_en

As examples of good practices of funded projects from the EMFAF calls, three blue economy projects were presented at the Salon: REBOOT MED – Recovering, Experiencing and Boosting eco-tourism in the WestMed, AFRIMED: Algal Forest Restoration In the MEDiterranean Sea and E-FishMed project: virtual academy on fisheries inspection and control.

All in all, it proved to be an inspiring  workshop for visitors and a good place for the WestMED to meet and interact with this fast growing and important sector.

presenters WestMED workshop Salon Halieutis 2023

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New domain name for WestMED website and emails

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The WestMED Initiative has received a new domain name for all its communications: westmed-initiative.ec.europa.eu.

It means that both the website, as well as the email addresses have changed. The website can now be accessed through: https://westmed-initiative.ec.europa.eu

All emails will receive the @westmed-initiative.ec.europa.eu extension. So the new email for Algeria for instance is now: algeria@westmed-initiative.ec.europa.eu

Below you will find an overview of all new email addresses

The new  domain name  is the official domain for the  European Commission. It meant that the website had to undergo a major transformation in order to comply with the EC standards which relate to elements such as accessibility, security and privacy. At the same time, also some pages have been redesigned to be more user friendly.

At the backend, the website servers have also been updated to comply with strict security standards as required by the EC.

Here is a list of all new email addresses:

National Hub Algeria algeria@westmed-initiative.ec.europa.eu
National Hub France france@westmed-initiative.ec.europa.eu
National Hub Italy italy@westmed-initiative.ec.europa.eu
National Hub Malta malta@westmed-initiative.ec.europa.eu
National Hub Mauritania mautitania@westmed-initiative.ec.europa.eu
National Hub Morocco morocco@westmed-initiative.ec.europa.eu
National Hub Portugal portugal@westmed-initiative.ec.europa.eu
National Hub Spain spain@westmed-initiative.ec.europa.eu
National Hub Tunisia tunisia@westmed-initiative.ec.europa.eu
Communications communications@westmed-initiative.ec.europa.eu

 

Emails sent to the old email address will be forwarded for a period of 6 months until June 30, 2023.

Lighthouse Chania after sunset

A landmark document: Roadmap for the implementation of the 2021 UfM Ministerial Declaration on Sustainable Blue Economy (SBE) in the Mediterranean

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Source: based on article UfM stakeholder platform

Following the adoption by the 43 member countries of the Union for the Mediterranean (UfM) in February 2021 of the 2nd UfM Ministerial Declaration on Sustainable Blue Economy (SBE), the UfM countries, Co-Presidency, and Secretariat, agreed to create a Roadmap for the implementation of the 2021 Ministerial.

This, with a view to produce an in-depth overview and analysis of the joint needs, gaps and opportunities for future support, funding, and implementation for each of the 10 priorities set by the Declaration.

This landmark document includes a sketching out of ongoing initiatives, programmes, and projects, while linking to and formulating promising pathways, processes, and actions to be launched, scaled-up, and promoted from the short to the longer term. The Roadmap also foresees an easy to implement monitoring system; essential to assess progress towards the implementation of the Ministerial at regional level.

The WestMED initiative as a succesful example
In the 2nd Ministerial Declaration on Sustainable Blue Economy, the ministers of the UfM countries recognised that the WestMED Initiative is a successful example of cooperation, focused on clear goals, priorities, and measurable targets and as a catalyst for the development of SBE projects in the region.

The roadmap identifies key elements of good practice that can be replicated at regional level by some other frameworks or initiatives, especially in the topics of governance (i.e. how the actual WestMED Initiative and the macro regional strategy EUSAIR work in terms of planning and decision making) and in the key aspects on project development support through the work of dedicated Technical Groups (for instance, and in the case of the WestMED Initiative: Green shipping, Sustainable Aquaculture(AquaWEST) and the WestMED Maritime Clusters Alliance.

For more information and download of the Ministerial Declaration and the Roadmap documents, visit the Med blue economy platform

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The WestMED Iniatiative welcomes the Mauritanian/ Maltese Co-Presidency in 2023

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In 2023, Mauritania will co-chair the WestMED Steering Committee along with Malta in accordance with the principle of rotation among the participating WestMED countries (France, Spain, Italy, Portugal, Malta, Morocco, Algeria, Tunisia, Libya and Mauritania).

The Mauritanian Co-Presidency will keep supporting the six priorities agreed by the countries in 2018 on the common roadmap for the development of a sustainable blue economy:

  • maritime safety and fight against marine pollution,
  • maritime cluster development,
  • skills development and circulation,
  • sustainable consumption and production,
  • biodiversity and marine habitat conservation and restoration
  • Development of coastal communities  and sustainable fisheries and aquaculture.

At national level, Mauritania has set ambitious targets on blue economy, which includes: the promotion of sustainable fisheries and aquaculture, the development of a maritime cluster that brings together all the actors of the sea, development of maritime transport and development of Maritime Spatial Planning (MSP). These topics are already included in the priorities of the new strategy for the sector in Mauritania and are at the heart of the missions of two new agencies created within the department, namely the Agency for Maritime Affairs and the Agency for Inland Fisheries and Fish Farming.

In addition, the Mauritanian National Hub along with Tunisia play an important coordination role in the WestMED technical group on Maritime Clusters Alliance, ensuring and facilitating the cooperation within South-South and also North-South through actions, partnerships and projects.

abstract team members in circles connected with dotted lines with one standing in focus

The WestMED Assistance Mechanism reinforces its team in 2023

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The new phase in the Assistance Mechanism, whereby all three sea basin strategies will be supported by one Assistance Mechanism, is enhanced by a reinforcement of the current WestMED team.

On the management side, Javier Fernández, previously the WestMED project manager, is now the overall project leader overseeing the implementation of all three sea basin strategies. This role will ensure an effective joint coordination among the three regions, facilitating the exchanges of good practices, creating synergies and increasing the outreach and visibility of the initiative.

Celia Murcia, has become the WestMED sea basin coordinator. She is a blue economy expert  with 10 years of international experience in project management in public institutions, private consultancy, research entities and international organisations within the Blue Economy sectors.

From the National Hubs’ perspective, the new experts joining the WestMed Assistance Mechanism team are:

Lahbib Latrach (Dr) will be the new expert for the Moroccan Hub. He holds a PhD in environment and sustainability and has broad experience in the academic and industrial sectors. Contracted by the Assistance Mechanism, his extensive experience with international sustainability – and blue projects will prove to be a great asset.

Stephanie Bugeja, will support Stephanie Vella at the National Hub Malta. She holds an Msc in Environmental Sciences and has worked in the Maltese energy sector.

Gabriele Galassi, will support Marta Pascual at the National Hub in Spain. Gabriele is a Political Science junior consultant specialized in EU public policy and governance.

Cristian Chiavetta, will be joining the Italian National Hub as off March 1, 2023. He is an environmental engineer and expert in the circular economy. Cristian will support Leonardo Manzari in representing the WestMED Assistance Mechanism in Italy

For an overview of the whole team, visit the Assistance Mechanism page

 

 

 

Announcement poster Salo Halieutis 2023 for WestMED presence

Meet the WestMED Assistance Mechanism at the Salon Halieutis 2023 in Agadir

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The salon Halieutis is the international meeting place for the fisheries and aquaculture sector.

The WestMED Assistance Mechanism will be present at the stand of the European Union where you can meet the WestMED Hub representatives from Morocco and Mauritania.

It will offer a unique opportunity to learn about this Initiative that is funded by the European Commission and aims to strengthen a sustainable blue economy in the Western Mediterranean.

Inquire about matchmaking and funding opportunities for sustainable maritime related projects or talk about the latest policy developments that might affect you.

 

Join our Workshop:
“L’initiative WestMED  : Opportunités pour renforcer l’économie bleue durable en Méditerranée occidentale”

On Thursday 2 February, the WestMED Initiative will organize a workshop to give you an overview of the WestMED activities and how this could benefit you.

Agenda

16:00 – 16:20 WestMED Initiative – Sustainable Blue Economy in the western Mediterranean

16:20 – 16:30 Community of Practice for Maritime Spatial Planning for the MED

16:30 – 16:40 EMFAF calls for flagships projects (DG MARE)

16:40 – 17:00 Pitch session Blue Economy projects funded by the European Maritime, Fisheries and Aquaculture Fund and other EU funding calls

  1. REBOOT MED – Recovering, Experiencing and Boosting eco-tourism in the WestMed
  2. AFRIMED: Algal Forest Restoration In the MEDiterranean Sea
  3. E-FishMed project: virtual academy on fisheries inspection and control

17:00 – 17:30 Networking session and bilateral meetings

 

There is no need to make a reservation, but be early as seats are limited.

Location: Salon Halieutis 2023, Agadir |  Pole International | Union Européenne | Stand B51 B54

For more information contact: Lahbib Latrach (WestMED Hub Morocco) or Mohamed Lemine abdel Hamid

For more information on the salon visit the event website

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MSP community of practic kick-off meeting with participants seated around a rectangular table

The Community of Practice on Maritime Spatial Planning (MSP) for the Mediterranean has been launched!

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Brussels, January 26, 2022. During the Hackathon organised by the WestMED Assistance Mechanism in Malta on June 30th 2022 and a couple of meetings under MSPMED project, the relevant stakeholders discussed about the creation of an open Community of Practice for exchange on MSP in the framework of the WestMED Initiative and supported by CINEA and DG MARE.

In the Mediterranean, there are many policy drivers for the implementation of Maritime/Marine Spatial Planning at regional, sub-regional and national levels. These include the MSP Directive implementation for the European Union Member States, the Ministerial declaration on Blue Economy of the Union for the Mediterranean and the Conceptual Framework for MSP developed by UNEP/MAP promoting a common approach to MSP as a key process for planning and managing the marine space in line with the provisions of the ICZM Protocol. Still, the MSPglobal pilot project in the Western Mediterranean Sea promoted by UNESCO-IOC and the European Commission allowed the creation of a network of experts and the publication of specific technical reports and recommendations.

Given the existing policy framework and the broader political will to commonly work on MSP, there is a shared interest to set an MSP Community of Practice in the Mediterranean, in the framework of the WestMED Initiative. The MED-MSP-CoP will be initially focused on the Western Mediterranean, being however open to experts and observers from the whole Mediterranean..

The main objective of the MED-MSP-CoP is to establish a permanent communication and dialogue across borders between experts on MSP (i.e. planners, technical experts, researchers), and to exchange knowledge and relevant experiences in the region, so as to reach a shared perspective on topics of common interest on MSP and enhance the cooperation between the north and the south of the Mediterranean.

On January 26, 2023, CINEA and DG MARE officially launched the Community of Practice during the kick-off meeting in Brussels where the experts discussed the structure and the action plan for the next year.

Thanos Smanis, WestMED expert and member of the MSP Assistance Mechanism, highlights “the instant willingness by MSP experts to mobilise and establish a Community of Practice on MSP for the MED, for joint dialogue and cooperation, demonstrates the shared perception that this will significantly support the creation of a regional framework and vision whereby all stakeholders will be needed.”

Next to the the Community of Practice on MSP, three technical-/ work groups have been formed under the WestMED Initiative;  Sustainable Transport-Green Shipping, the AquaWEST technical group on aquaculture and the Maritime Clusters Alliance.

More information on the Community of Practice on Maritime Spatial Planning (MSP) for the Mediterranean : https://cinea.ec.europa.eu/news-events/news/two-days-key-developments-maritime-spatial-planning-2023-01-25_en

laptop with mock-up of WestMED infographic displayed on the screen

Four years of practical support to a Sustainable Blue Economy in the Western Mediterranean

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In the past 4 years (2018-2022), the WestMED Assistance Mechanism has accomplished a lot to be proud of.

It helped secure 50 million euros in funding alone for all kinds of different projects that contribute to the WestMED Initiative’s main objective to develop and strengthen a sustainable blue economy in the region.

It also helped drive discussions between stakeholders from the northern and southern shore on key maritime topics such as green shipping, sustainable aquaculture, project funding, maritime clusters and blue skills. Primarily, through the creation of technical-/ work groups and organizing thematic events.  It has also been at the forefront of starting a Community of Practice on Maritime Spatial Planning for the Mediterranean which had its kick-off meeting in January 2023.

For an overview of the work done, the Assistance mechanism has produced both a 3-page Executive Summary and an infographic.

Both are available now for download.

Executive summary

Infographic

 

Moving forward (2022-2024).

After positive reviews, the European Commission has agreed to continue this initiative for at least another two years.

With a new approach by the European Commission, the WestMED Assistance Mechanism will team up with the Assistance Mechanisms of the other EU sea basin strategies (Atlantic Action Plan/ CMA Black Sea) to further explore and capitalise on synergies related to common maritime themes, allow for addressing relevant cross-sea basin project (funding) proposals and provide coordinated policy feedback.

diverse people putting their hands together to sympolise teamwork

The EU Sea Basin Strategies for the Western Mediterranean, Atlantic and Black Sea have joined forces

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The European Commission has been supporting the establishment and implementation of three sea basin strategies in the Atlantic, the Black Sea and the Western Mediterranean.

In May 2021, the European Commission adopted a new approach for a sustainable blue economy in the EU that sets out a detailed agenda for the blue economy to play a major role in achieving the European Green Deal objectives.

The European Commission recognises the benefit of sea basins and indicates that the EU will continue supporting cooperation, and developing tailored strategies for each European sea basin.

There are specific conditions, opportunities and challenges for each sea basin, which require a targeted approach.

The optimal development of all sea-related activities in a sustainable manner calls for a coherent policy framework based on the involvement of all stakeholders. Seas are shared among different countries.

Therefore, regional cooperation, including with non-EU countries, is important in achieving the objectives of the sustainable blue economy strategy. Sea basin strategies require joint policy agendas among EU and non-EU countries sharing the same sea, while defining joint priorities and concretely involving stakeholders in the process of identification and implementation of blue economy bankable projects.

A unique Assistance Mechanism has been formed to help support the implementation of the three EU Sea Basin Strategies, namely  Atlantic Strategy, the WestMED Initiative and the Common Maritime Agenda for the Black Sea.

It means that the WestMED Assistance Mechanism has now become part of a larger consortium to better identify and build on the synergies between all three sea basins. It will do so by exchanging best practices and organizing national and regional events with themes that have a clear cross sea basin relevance such as blue skills, blue investments, green shipping, and sustainable aquaculture. This new approach will ensure the specific needs of each sea basin while facilitating synergies and increasing outreach and visibility.

As has been done in the previous years, this new joint Assistance Mechanism will continue its networking expertise to initiate project partnerships and help gain access to funding with proposal development support. However, this time drawing from a much larger database of stakeholders and pool of experts.

The EASME/ CINEA Maritime datahub will be further developed to contain even more projects that contribute to the different sea basin strategies, and cooperation will be intensified with projects like BlueInvest and the Maritime Spatial Planning Assistance Mechanism.

The teams that ran the three previous Assistance Mechanisms, will largely remain in place in this new joint Assistance Mechanism to ensure smooth continuation and consistency.

The National Hubs in Spain, Portugal and France will be at the forefront of this new synergies approach as they will now focus simultaneously on both the WestMED and the Atlantic

This joint sea basin programme is funded by the European Commission and will run from 2022-2024.