Unlocking the Future of the Blue Economy in South Adriatic

At the AdriBioPro2024 Conference in Kotor, on 2 October 2024, a dynamic panel session titled "The Blue Economy in the South Adriatic Region" was held at the KC Nikola Djurković, Kotor, Montenegro. The panel session brought together leading experts to address the regions most pressing opportunities and challenges in the sustainable development of its marine sectors. With a particular focus on the Interreg SKILLS project, the session highlighted strategies for enhancing skills, fostering innovation, and deepening regional cooperation to bolster blue economy growth.

Why It Mattered:

The blue economy holds enormous potential for the South Adriatic, a region rich in marine resources but facing significant challenges such as skill shortages, outmigration, and a need for stronger regional cooperation. This panel addressed these issues head-on, offering practical solutions and sharing successful case studies from Albania, Montenegro, and Italy.

Key Themes Explored:

Aligning Research with Industry Needs: Dr. Mirko Đurović, Institute of Marine Biology, University of Montenegro, discussed how research institutions can better tailor their outputs to meet the evolving demands of the blue economy, ensuring that scientific advancements translate into real-world industry applications.

EU-Funded Programs Boosting Regional Skills and Employment: Mr. Antonio Agrosì, Joint Secretariat, Puglia Region, Interreg Management Structure, highlighted the role of cross-border projects like nterreg South Adriatic SKILLS in creating new jobs, building up local capacities, and driving innovation across marine sectors.

Education and Training for the Future: Mr. Francesco Carretta, Department of Labour Market Policies, Puglia Region, explored how educational policies are evolving to offer tailored vocational training that meets the unique needs of the blue economy, ensuring the workforce of tomorrow is ready.

Strategic Planning for Albania’s Blue Growth: Mr. Marjus Borokoci, State Agency for Strategic Programming and Aid Coordination, Albania, examined the importance of national-level strategic planning and policy alignment in Albania’s burgeoning blue economy, offering insights into future opportunities for scaling successful initiatives.

Scaling Blue Economy Initiatives: Ms. Aferdita Vuljaj, Ministry of Economic Development of Montenegro, highlighted the role of multilateral cooperation and joint investments in creating a resilient and innovative blue economy. Real-world case studies from Albania were presented by Mr. Rudin Qehajaj, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, showcasing successful blue economy projects, discussing the potential for scaling these initiatives and their contributions to the region’s sustainable development goals.

What to Expect:

This session was one of the highlights of AdriBioPro2024, offering valuable insights into the intersection of research, education, and policy in driving a resilient and thriving blue economy in the South Adriatic. It served as a platform for exchanging best practices, fostering collaboration, and identifying actionable pathways toward a sustainable marine economy for the region.