economically, environmentally and geopolitically sustainable development in the
Euro-Asia Region embracing the 4-seas. Categorically, it seeks the development of
Sustainable Blue Growth Transformation Pathways in urban and rural areas that
depend on the 4-seas; the creation of networks of protected marine and coastal
ecosystems of cultural and natural interest; the creation of educational programmes
with an emphasis on understanding and implementing the SDGs while enriching
them with Euro-Asian intellectual tradition and the development and support of open
access databases with the data, models, results and policy recommendations relevant
to the sustainability transition of the 4-seas; the incubation and acceleration of
technological and social innovation for the sustainability transition in the region,
combining the protection of the natural and cultural environment; and policy recommendations for the support of sustainable blue growth in the region.
1.9 Conclusions
The cross-thematic Oceans of Tomorrow book seeks to implement this commitment.
The book falls within the activities launched under European calls (e.g. FP7, H2020)
to implement the European strategy for marine and maritime research and to address
marine sciences and technologies as a challenge that cut across themes. This book
aims to foster multidisciplinary approaches and cross-fertilization between various
scientific disciplines and economic sectors on key cross-cutting marine and maritime
challenges. Research projects presented in the next chapters bring together scientists,
technology providers, industrial partners (including Small and Medium Enterprises –
SMEs) and end users.
There is no doubt that the Earth’s survival will depend on the protection and
sustainable management of our seas and oceans and the resources they provide. This
is recognized by the Joint Communication on International Ocean Governance,
which is an integral part of the EU’s response to the United Nations’ 2030 Agenda
for Sustainable Development, and in particular to the targets set out by Sustainable
Development Goal 14 (SDG 14) to “conserve and sustainably use the oceans, seas
and marine resources”. The EU’s Seventh Framework Programme for Research and
Development (FP7) and Horizon 2020 have funded over 1200 Blue Economyrelated projects (European Commission 2014b, 2020). In addition to the political
priorities, the challenges of the protection and sustainable management of our seas
and oceans are directly linked to the EU Bioeconomy Strategy and Blue Growth
Strategy (European Commission 2017c, 2019b).
References
AMAre. (2020). Interreg European Commission project. Actions for Marine Protected Areas.
Online Platform. https://amare.interreg-med.eu. Accessed on 18 Mar 2020.
22
P. Koundouri et al.
Euro-Asia Region embracing the 4-seas. Categorically, it seeks the development of
Sustainable Blue Growth Transformation Pathways in urban and rural areas that
depend on the 4-seas; the creation of networks of protected marine and coastal
ecosystems of cultural and natural interest; the creation of educational programmes
with an emphasis on understanding and implementing the SDGs while enriching
them with Euro-Asian intellectual tradition and the development and support of open
access databases with the data, models, results and policy recommendations relevant
to the sustainability transition of the 4-seas; the incubation and acceleration of
technological and social innovation for the sustainability transition in the region,
combining the protection of the natural and cultural environment; and policy recommendations for the support of sustainable blue growth in the region.
1.9 Conclusions
The cross-thematic Oceans of Tomorrow book seeks to implement this commitment.
The book falls within the activities launched under European calls (e.g. FP7, H2020)
to implement the European strategy for marine and maritime research and to address
marine sciences and technologies as a challenge that cut across themes. This book
aims to foster multidisciplinary approaches and cross-fertilization between various
scientific disciplines and economic sectors on key cross-cutting marine and maritime
challenges. Research projects presented in the next chapters bring together scientists,
technology providers, industrial partners (including Small and Medium Enterprises –
SMEs) and end users.
There is no doubt that the Earth’s survival will depend on the protection and
sustainable management of our seas and oceans and the resources they provide. This
is recognized by the Joint Communication on International Ocean Governance,
which is an integral part of the EU’s response to the United Nations’ 2030 Agenda
for Sustainable Development, and in particular to the targets set out by Sustainable
Development Goal 14 (SDG 14) to “conserve and sustainably use the oceans, seas
and marine resources”. The EU’s Seventh Framework Programme for Research and
Development (FP7) and Horizon 2020 have funded over 1200 Blue Economyrelated projects (European Commission 2014b, 2020). In addition to the political
priorities, the challenges of the protection and sustainable management of our seas
and oceans are directly linked to the EU Bioeconomy Strategy and Blue Growth
Strategy (European Commission 2017c, 2019b).
References
AMAre. (2020). Interreg European Commission project. Actions for Marine Protected Areas.
Online Platform. https://amare.interreg-med.eu. Accessed on 18 Mar 2020.
22
P. Koundouri et al.