Agenda

Blue Regeneration — Transforming Maritime, Marine and Coastal Futures

Day: 17/11/2026

Time: 13:00 -

14:00 (Türkiye local time, GMT+3)

Place: Mediterranean Pavilion, Blue Zone

Organised by: UfM, Beta Center, Med Waves, University of Siena, IUCN-Med, MedPAN, WWF, Interreg Next-MED

The side event illustrates how integrated regional cooperation has advanced and continues to shape the transition towards regenerative maritime, marine and coastal futures, even in a complex and rapidly changing Mediterranean context.

The event will present the green–blue nexus as a foundation for blue regeneration and prosperity, connecting land and sea and highlighting how nature-based solutions, marine protected areas, ecosystem restoration, marine spatial planning, greening ports and marinas, sustainable tourism, innovation, maritime clusters, and sustainable blue investments among others, are converging towards ecological resilience and economic sustainability, drawing on real-world cases and in line with the 2021 UfM Ministerial Declaration on Sustainable Blue Economy, and the Ocean Pact and its dedicated Strategies.

Speakers

Dr. Delilah Al Khudhairy

Director for Maritime Policy and Blue Economy, DG MARE

Delilah Al Khudhairy is the Director for Maritime Policy and Blue Economy in the European Commission’s Directorate General for Maritime Affairs and Fisheries.

Dr. Nedal M. Alouran

Commissioner for Environment and Public Safety at the Aqaba Special Economic Zone Authority, Jordan

Dr. Nedal Musa Al Ouran is an environmental governance expert with over 25 years of experience across Jordan and the MENA region. Currently ASEZA Commissioner and former UNDP Portfolio Head, he holds a PhD in Environmental Assessment & Management.

Dr. Sergio Ponsá Salas

Director, BETA Technological Center (UVic-UCC)

Dr. Salas connects science, policy and industry to turn research into real-world impact. His work advances climate resilience, circular bioeconomy, sustainable food systems, and a sustainable blue economy through innovation and Mediterranean cooperat

Roger Garcia Noguera

Director, MedWaves (UNEP/MAP Regional Activity Centre for SCP)

As director of MedWaves, Roger leads the organization’s work on circular economy, eco-innovation, green/blue entrepreneurship in the Mediterranean.

Prof. Maria Cristina Fossi

Lead Coordinator, Plastic Busters / Professor, Univ. of Siena

Professor of Ecology and Ecotoxicology at University of Siena, leading scientific research on marine litter and microplastics across Mediterranean ecosystems.

Maher Mahjoub

Director, IUCN Centre for Mediterranean Cooperation (IUCN-Med)

Maher Mahjoub is Director of the IUCN Centre for Mediterranean Cooperation in Málaga, Spain. He brings over 25 years of experience in biodiversity conservation, environmental governance, and international cooperation.

Carole Martinez

Policy & Regional Program Manager, MedPAN

Carole has more than 25 years of experience in environmental and marine policy. She is currently the Senior Policy Manager at MedPAN. Before joining MedPAN Carole has been working for IUCN as Senior Programme Manager developing and managing projects.

Mauro Randone

Regional Manager, WWF Mediterranean Marine Initiative

Regional Manager at WWF, advancing Mediterranean marine conservation and climate action through blue carbon, nature-based solutions, marine spatial planning, and ecosystem protection and restoration.

Vincent Ernoux

Coordinator, Interreg NEXT MED Programme for the Western Mediterranean

Representative of the EU Interreg NEXT MED transnational cooperation program.

Alessandra Sensi

UfM, Head of Sector – Environment, Green and Blue Economy

Alessandra Sensi is Head of Sector for Environment, Green & Blue Economy at UfM. Holding Master's and Political Science degrees, she previously managed environmental programs at the EU Commission, FAO, UNEP, and Eurostat.

Khaoula Jaoui

Coordinator and Director of the Climate Department at the Sahara and Sahel Observatory (OSS)