On May 31, 2024, the second Blue Café event took place in conjunction with the Blue Flag Award Ceremony, bringing together key stakeholders to discuss pressing issues in the blue sector. The event, organised by AKTI Project and Research Centre, attracted 52 participants, including 21 representatives from coastal local authorities and the Minister of Environment.
Key Topics Discussed:
- Blue Growth
- Blue Technologies
- Marine Litter
The local authorities expressed a strong interest in integrating smart blue technologies into their operations, such as smart buoys, mobile apps, and other innovative tools. Additionally, there was a keen willingness to collaborate with research projects in order to advance these technologies further.
However, participants highlighted the need for more information and incentives to accelerate the adoption of blue technologies. The event underscored the importance of providing local authorities with the necessary resources and guidance to make the transition towards smarter, more sustainable coastal management practices.
This first Blue Café event successfully opened the door to future collaborations between local authorities and research institutions, paving the way for advancements in blue growth and marine protection.
