Progress report for
Giving impetus to a sustainable, resilient and competitive blue economy in the EU Member States Atlantic area
Achievement at a glance
The Atlantic Action Plan, firstly adopted in 2013 was reviewed in 2020 to focus on issues that are too complex for a single coastal region or State to address alone, and where collective action is more effective in tackling challenges that have a direct impact on the daily lives of people living in coastal areas. Since 2020, there have been 4 pillars:Pillar I: Ports as gateways and hubs for the blue economy
Pillar II: Blue skills of the future and ocean literacy
Pillar III: Marine Renewable Energy
Pillar IV: Healthy ocean and resilient coasts
In May 2021, a new strategy for a sustainable blue economy in the EU was developed, outlining a comprehensive plan for the blue economy to significantly contribute to the European Green Deal goals. The Atlantic Assistance Mechanism is now part of a larger consortium aimed at identifying and leveraging synergies among the three Atlantic Sea basins. The 2024 annual Conference in Bordeaux gathered 190 participants from more than 8 EU countries.
Next Steps
Benedicte CaremierBeneficiaries
Primary beneficiaries are the 4 Atlantic EU Member States: Portugal, Spain, France and Ireland and their relevant stakeholders.
An international dimension of the Atlantic Action Plan is also developed through the “All Atlantic Ocean Research Alliance” (AAORIA), involving Argentina, Brazil, Cabo Verde, Canada, Morocco, South Africa, the United States of America, Norway, the United Kingdom, Iceland and Senegal. The EU has invested in more than 40 projects with over EUR 250 million to promote cooperation between European and international scientists from around the Atlantic.