The International Ocean Institute (IOI) was represented by Antonella Vassallo ( Managing Director, IOIHQ) and Cosmin Chivu (Project Officer) at the European Maritime Day 2026, held in Limassol, Cyprus, on 21–22 May 2026.
Organised jointly by the European Commission and the Republic of Cyprus, EMD is the annual meeting point for Europe's maritime community, bringing together policymakers, researchers, industry representatives, civil society organisations, and international institutions to discuss the future of ocean governance, sustainable blue economy development, maritime innovation, and the implementation of European ocean-related policies. For the IOI, participation in EMD provides an important opportunity to remain engaged with emerging regional priorities, strengthen partnerships, and contribute to discussions on sustainable and equitable ocean management.
Throughout the two-day event, the IOI representatives attended a range of plenary sessions and thematic workshops addressing issues such as the future European Ocean Pact, blue industrial leadership, maritime security, marine restoration, ocean financing, sustainable tourism, fisheries and aquaculture, and maritime skills development. These discussions provided valuable insights into current European priorities and ongoing efforts to advance sustainable ocean governance.
A particularly productive aspect of the event was the opportunity to engage directly with organisations and individuals working across the ocean policy, literacy, and capacity development landscape.
Among the meetings held was a discussion with representatives of the Ocean Acidification Alliance (OA Alliance). The exchange explored potential areas of cooperation between the two organisations, including the possibility of a future IOI Alumni Continuing Professional Development webinar focusing on ocean acidification and climate-ocean challenges, as well as potential contributions to future IOI educational and outreach activities. The discussions highlighted shared interests in strengthening ocean literacy and improving awareness of emerging ocean-related challenges.
The IOI delegation also met with Ms Laura Khatib Lakiss, the Director of IOI Ocean Academy in Lebanon. Discussions focused on preparations for the launch of the programme "Ocean Literacy in Lebanon: Science, Governance and the Future of our Coast", which will be delivered in Arabic and French. The programme aims to strengthen public understanding of marine science, ocean governance, coastal heritage, and marine conservation issues relevant to Lebanon and the wider Mediterranean region. The meeting provided an opportunity to discuss the next steps in establishing the node and expanding the reach of ocean literacy initiatives within the country.
The European Maritime Day once again demonstrated the importance of dialogue, cooperation, and knowledge exchange in advancing sustainable ocean governance. For the IOI, participation in EMD 2026 reaffirmed the Institute's commitment to fostering international collaboration, supporting capacity development, and promoting ocean capacity development and literacy as essential foundations for informed decision-making and the sustainable stewardship of our shared ocean.