European Commission - Speech [Check Against Delivery] Keynote speech by Commissioner Kadis at the Oceanology International 2026: ‘The Future of Blue Economy' London, 12 March 2026 Dear ocean techology leaders, innovators, and industry stakeholders, Dear friends of the Ocean, Ladies and Gentlemen, It is a great honour and privilege to address you today in the context of Oceanology International, a leading forum bringi...
European Commission - Speech [Check Against Delivery] Keynote speech by Commissioner Kadis at the Oceanology International 2026: ‘The Future of Blue Economy' London, 12 March 2026 Dear ocean techology leaders, innovators, and industry stakeholders, Dear friends of the Ocean, Ladies and Gentlemen, It is a great honour and privilege to address you today in the context of Oceanology International, a leading forum bringing together industry, academia, the science and technologies communities as well as the public sector on a topic very dear to my heart: the ocean and its potential. I am particularly glad to open this vital session on enabling the future of the blue economy , and I will share insights into European policy priorities that will shape – and safeguard- this rapidly evolving domain. The ocean is not a distant frontier, it is here - the very lifeblood of our competitiveness, maritime safety, food security, energy independence, and our shared prosperity. The future of our economy, sovereignty, and, indeed, of our planet depends on the ocean. The 2025 EU Blue Economy Report vividly underscores this reality, documenting sustained growth and its pivotal role in advancing competitiveness and sustainability. According to the latest estimates from the EU Blue Economy Observatory, this dynamic sector directly sustains nearly 5 million jobs and generates over 260 billion euro annually to the EU economy – figures that continue to rise. Maritime routes carry some 74% of the EU's external trade, and underwater communication cables carry 99% of inter-continental internet traffic. Once viewed as a niche sector, the ocean economy is now firmly established as a core pillar of the global economy. It underpins not only our food systems and energy supply, but also plays a crucial role in trade, transport, logistic, tourism, and global digital infrastructure, while also regulating our climate. The ocean is also central to the energy transition, climate resilience and sustainable growth. The challenge we face today is not a debate on its importance, but on how to decisively shape its future. Today's gathering is an important opportunity to align our vision, strategy, and action. The blue economy is far more than an economic powerhouse – it is a strategic asset for Europe's green, innovative and resilient future. This vibrant ecosystem encompasses traditional sectors that are now undergoing profound transpformation – coastal tourism, fisheries and aquaculture, maritime transport and maritime robotics. And it includes new frontiers, such as offshore renewable energy, digital ocean systems, and ocean observation. While coastal tourism remains the largest contributor, marine renewable energy – especially offshore wind energy - has recorded the most explosive gorwth, placing Europe on a steep upward trajectory. Meanwhile, fisheries and aquaculture continue to evolve towards greater sustainability, with innovations in gear selectivity, reduced environmental impacts, and enhanced traceability supporting both economic stability and ecosystem health. Yet, we cannot afford to become complacent. Climate change, biodiversity loss, pollution, and declining productivity in legacy sectors already constrain ocean-based activities. Emerging threats, such as attacks on underwater infrastructure, illegal fishing, and shadow fleets evading sanctions, jeopardise maritime safety and security. Without bold, targeted policy and investment, segments of the Ocean Economy risk stagnation or decline – undermining both our economic and environmental ambitions. This is why the European Ocean Pact , adopted in last June, stands as our comprehensive strategy to protect and restore ocean ecosystems, strengthen maritime security and enhance our blue economy, including by promoting sustainable fishing. It aligns ocean-related policies across climate, energy, industry, biodiversity, research and finance – delivering a coherent and predictable framework that empowers innovators and attracts investors. The Pact also reinforces our role as a global standard-setter in sustainable ocean governance, helping European technologies and business models to scale worldwide while upholding the highest environmental and social benchmarks. And the Pact is already delivering: it was put into practice with the adoption by the Commission last week of the Industrial Maritime and Ports strategies, and we will soon follow with a strategy on sustainable tourism as well as address the specific cases of islands and coastal communities. At the core of the Ocean Pact lie research and innovation - the engines of this progress. Key to this progress and research and innovation is marine knowledge, which stems from ocean observation. Last week, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, presented the European Ocean Observation Initiative, OceanEye. The Ocean Eye is a research, industrial, cultural, and societal endeavor. It will deliver economies of scale, invigorate the European technology market, and position the EU and its partners at the forefront of international efforts to deliver a sustained Global Ocean Observing System. This initiative will be grounded in three main pillars directly benefiting the industry by: 1 . Setting up a fully operational European Ocean Observation System by 2030; governed through the European Ocean Act. 2 . Forging an international alliance in close partnership with UNESCO's Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission to support the Global Ocean Observing System. 3 . Cultivating a robust European market for ocean observation technologies and user-oriented marine services across sectors. The Ocean Eye will also be the foundation upon which we build the European Digital Twin Ocean, as a public service to the EU citizens and a gift to the world. The Digital Twin of the Ocean will provide a high-resolution, multi-dimensional and near real-time virtual representation of the ocean, with many applications to support a competitive and sustainable blue economy. Achieving true strategic autonomy requires sustained investment in research and innovation, alongside a competitive industrial ecosystem for ocean observation technologies and user- centered services. The European Ocean Research & Innovation Strategy, expected later this year, will articulate precise research objectives and instruments. In harmony with the EU Startup and Scaleup Strategy, we will prioritise disruptive ocean observing technologies, de-risk innovation, and accelerate the journey from the laboratory to market. We also want to establish a European network of ocean technology testing sites to accelerate innovation cycles and facilitate the development and deployment of cutting-edge technological solutions. For these efforts to succeed, access to finance will be pivotal, particularly through initiatives such as BlueInvest. Through BlueInvest, we mobilise capital for the next wave of blue economy innovation. We accelerate growth by supporting entrepreneurs, strengthening Europe's maritime industrial base, and backing specialised venture capital funds in cooperation with the European Investment Bank Group. We are building a dedicated financial ecosystem for the sector. The EU should champion demand-led innovation , aligning technology development with clearly articulated user, policy and regulatory needs, while creating first-market opportunities through public and innovation procurement. Ladies and gentlemen, this is a time of great challenges, but also of great opportunities. Our choice is clear: proactive policies, relentless research and innovation, and dedicated investment to forge a resilient, sustainable, and thriving ocean economy. Let's continue working together and look ahead to the next decade – one where emerging ocean technologies, powerful new data, digital capabilities, and transformative partnerships redefine how we explore, understand, protect and manage the ocean. SPEECH/26/601
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