The EU Council will soon adopt conclusions on a sustainable blue economy that promotes “health, knowledge, prosperity and social equity”.
The European Commission has just adopted its new Blue Economy policy (see EUROPE 12720/2).
The text of the EU Council conclusions emphasises the importance of promoting a sustainable blue economy that facilitates proper distribution of ocean wealth and ensures “fair and decent working conditions”, as well as equal opportunities for all.
Member States recall that the Next Generation EU programme and the new EU Multiannual Financial Framework, including the Recovery and Resilience Facility, “are instruments that need to be taken into account in the development of blue economy sectors to contribute to the European recovery while reinforcing the commitment to the conservation, restoration and sustainable use of oceans, seas and marine resources”.
Read the draft conclusions: https://bit.ly/3v2kM5w
EIB. In addition, on 17 May, the Commission and the European Investment Bank (EIB) Group announced that they would strengthen their cooperation to implement the new EU Sustainable Blue Economy policy. According to a statement, both institutions will work together with the EU Member States to meet existing funding needs to reduce pollution in European seas and support investment in blue innovation and the blue bioeconomy.
Focus areas include, among others, innovation in the blue bioeconomy, sustainable production and marketing of seafood and algae, as well as sustainable maritime tourism and environmental solutions.
Link to the EIB press release:https://bit.ly/3yoX7OM (Original version in French by Lionel Changeur)