EU ocean diplomacy is one of the themes of a conference on the EU Ocean Act in Wexford this week. The two-day conference at the National Opera House in Wexford has been planned as part of Ireland’s EU Presidency programme.
It opens on Tuesday, July 7th, with a discussion on ensuring strong coherence between the Ocean Act, the Marine Strategy Framework Directive and the EU’s biodiversity and nature restoration objectives.
Balancing the ocean's central role in delivering the EU’s climate, energy and biodiversity objectives is also a theme.
In parallel breakout sessions, there will be a discussion on how the EU can ensure strong and principled leadership in ocean diplomacy through the Ocean Act. There will also be a discussion on balancing the EU’s climate, energy and biodiversity objectives in an integrated and strategic governance framework to “manage synergies and trade-offs in a coherent and sustainable manner”
Wednesday’s programme opens with a session on the Ocean Act, security, and building resilience across maritime domains. The conference will hear the NGOs / civic society's view on building a unifying framework to bring coherence, accountability and ambition to EU ocean governance.
No speakers are listed on the Government’s website, but it says the conference will bring together “high-level representatives from Ireland and across the European Union, including policymakers, researchers, and key stakeholders”.
Participants will be offered options of a guided tour of Hook Head lighthouse and Hook peninsula, or a boat trip to the Saltee islands.
Find the details of the EU Ocean Act here.
