Webinar on the Blue Economy in Lisbon

The Italian Embassy in Lisbon celebrated World Oceans Day with a webinar called "BLUE Economy - A Sea of Opportunities for Italy - Portugal Relations". The webinar was held to present sea-related challenges and opportunities in order to foster the development of related business and investments between the two countries.

The event - opened by the Italian Ambassador to Lisbon, Carlo Formosa - emphasised the importance of linking the issues of the blue economy with the green economy to ensure a sustainable future, pointing out the central role played by oceans in the health of the planet. Offering a taste of some issues that will be discussed at the UN Ocean Conference scheduled to start from 27 June next in Lisbon, the presentations reiterated the importance of oceans for all economic systems and emphasis was placed on the urgent need to adopt a global approach based on the principles of sustainability, boosting scientific research and maritime security to address the increasingly serious risks that threaten survival.

The webinar was carried out in association with the Italian Chamber of Commerce for Portugal, the Italian Trade Agency (ICE) and the NOVA Ocean University Research Centre; over 150 Italian and Portuguese companies took part. Contributions were also made by the Portuguese Secretary-General of the Ministry of the Economy and the Sea João Rolo and the President of the Chamber of Commerce for Portugal, Santi Cianci.