On 22nd of October 2024 “A Decade of European MSP – Stakeholder Conference”, an exciting and dynamic conference exploring the evolving landscape of MSP was conducted in Marseille, France. The conference brings together experts, policymakers, and industry leaders from across the European Union and beyond, to foster dialogue, share best practices, and chart a course towards more integrated and sustainable maritime planning. Over five engaging sessions, the accomplishments of the last decade, lessons learnt, challenges, and future direction of MSP, highlighting the critical role of stakeholder engagement, regional cooperation, and innovative technologies were explored. The discussions covered a wide range of priority topics, from the impact of the European Green Deal on MSP to the integration of climate-smart trends and cutting-edge technologies, how MSP plans are being updated to address contemporary issues such as climate change and multi-use conflicts, the benefits and challenges of data-driven innovations like digital twins for marine environments.
MSP-GREEN & REGINA-MSP Final Conference 23 – 24 October 2024
The first day of the joint MSP-GREEN & REGINA Final Conference, with site visits, official opening and the focus on MSP-GREEN results was an intense day, full on interesting exchange with attendees from the MSP practice and maritime sectors. Feedback will feed the final policy brief and revisions of outputs for a broader distribution. Ideas will help feed future projects and further discussions on key topics to make the blue economy more sustainable and aligned with the European Green Deal.
On the second day the spotlight was on Regina-MSP and CCMS Director Margarita Stancheva participated as speaker at the panel for integrating regional perspectives, needs and stakeholders into national MSP and discussed how national MSP process integrates a multilevel and multi-actors marine governance and what improvements can be push forward in terms of fostering an inclusive and cooperative MSPD implementation.
The two project coordination teams wish to send warm thanks to the very professional speakers, panelists, and moderators who enhanced the quality of discussion, to all attendees, to all those who collaborated in the organization and work hard to make the event successful, to DG Mare, CINEA and the EU MSP Assistance mechanism for the great contribution and synergy and to the Advisory Boards of the two projects that during these two years offered their important suggestions and guidance.
See MSP-GREEN project story in one video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yLE3MVxahuk
The 3rd MSP4BIO Think Tank was conducted on 24 October afternoon and invited participants discussed in breakout groups few key specific objectives: identifying opportunities to influence policy implementation using the tools and solutions developed by MSP4BIO and sister projects; shortlist key recommendations for discussion with policy actors; and strengthen coordination among sister projects and initiatives. Stay tuned for more details via the MSP4BIO website: https://msp4bio.eu/
