Blue Talks: Supporting the Blue Economy should not only be seen in terms of technical environmental sustainability

The Blue Talks, a pre-event of the United Nations Oceans Conference, shared information on the potential and challenges of the Black Sea and the positive role the private sector can play.

Guests sounded the alarm on environmental issues. Her Excellency Teresa Macedo, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Portugal to Romania, said that “there is no healthy Earth without healthy oceans: there is no green without blue”, highlighting the problems facing the seas and oceans, which require a response from governments, scientists and representatives of the private sector and civil society.

Ionuț-Sorin Banciu, Secretary of State at the Romanian Ministry of Environment, Water and Forests, also stressed the need to promote a sustainable Blue Economy, with innovative solutions, greener technologies and sustainable use of marine resources, protecting biodiversity and reducing pollution.

“Supporting the Blue Economy should not only be seen in terms of technical environmental sustainability. It must be an inclusive, people-centred approach that guarantees livelihoods for communities. This requires strong involvement of civil society, research, academia and the business community. For civil society to get involved, we need to share international, regional and local perspectives and experiences,” says Banciu.

The “Blue Talks” event was organized by the Portuguese Embassy in Romania, with the support of AICEP Portugal Global, the Romanian Ministry of Environment, Water and Forests, the Romania – Portugal Bilateral Chamber of Commerce, the Reciclad’OR company, the Central University Library Carol I in Bucharest, SIBS Group and Radio Romania Regional.

The United Nations Oceans Conference (UNOC), hosted by Portugal and Kenya in Lisbon, will take place from 27 June to 1 July.

Source: https://www.forbes.ro