The Atlantic Ocean is preparing to host one of the most strategic events of the year in terms of sustainability and the marine future. The Port Authority of Vigo and the Baiona City Council today presented, outside the Parador de Baiona, the FARO Summit (Future Alliance for Oceans), an international summit that will bring together more than fifty experts, representatives of administrations, European ports, the scientific community, and the fishing and maritime industry.
The event is born with a clear Atlantic vocation to promote innovation, decarbonization, and the care of the oceans, uniting the professional community and citizens in the same alliance.
A shared commitment to marine sustainability
During the presentation, the mayor of Baiona, Jesús Vázquez Almuiña, highlighted the historical and indissoluble link of the town of Baiona with the sea, emphasizing the municipality's determined commitment to a sustainable development model that respects its maritime identity.
For his part, the president of the Port Authority of Vigo, Carlos Botana, outlined the main lines of the agenda, highlighting the transformative value of holding this first edition coinciding with the 10th anniversary of the launch of the Blue Growth strategy.
In turn, the regional minister of the Sea, Marta Villaverde, highlighted the leadership of Galicia's blue economy strategy, emphasizing the transcendental relevance that the maritime-fishing sector has for the socioeconomic structure, culture, and future of our community.
A program full of leading voices and transformative knowledge
The FARO Summit will offer, over two days, a comprehensive and cutting-edge vision of the present and future of the marine environment through top-level conferences and debate tables.
Thus, the forum will begin with the intervention of the renowned biologist, author, and scientific disseminator Odile Rodríguez de la Fuente, who will offer the presentation "Climate of Change," providing an inspiring look at the reconnection between human beings, biodiversity, and the ocean.
For their part, experts from the University of Vigo, the IIM-CSIC, and ACUIREGAL (the first public-private mixed research unit between the Spanish National Research Council and the business fabric focused on promoting regenerative aquaculture in Galicia) will analyze cutting-edge projects such as "Peiraos do Solpor" or "HippoREF" at the table dedicated to ports as living laboratories, while representatives of relevant national and international port authorities (such as Hamburg, the International Association of Ports, or the Port Authority of Bilbao) will discuss the transition to zero emissions, to then move on to the Port as a tourist destination, with the experiences of the terminals of A Coruña, Gijón, Almería, or Motril.
Blue economy financing will also be discussed, with the contribution of SpainSif (a non-profit association that promotes sustainable investment).
A participatory forum open to citizens
Scientist Alberto González-Garcés will be in charge of opening the second day of the FARO Summit, addressing cooperation as a value for sustainable growth, to then give way to a special round table that will bring together key representatives of the marine value chain (ARVI, ACLUNAGA, ANFACO, CONXEMAR, ACOPEVI, Stella Maris, or professional groups such as the Rederas) to analyze the real and transformative impact of the blue economy plan led by the Port of Vigo since 2016.
Similarly, the Congress will also address other topics such as climate change and innovation, for which it will have the presence of representatives from the ports of Barcelona, Algeciras, Huelva, Vigo, Puertos del Estado, and the Environmental Hydraulics Institute IH Cantabria.
In addition, young people and educational centers of the Baiona City Council will play a prominent role with the awards ceremony of the "Blue Economy in my School" contest and a student round table.
Beyond the professional sphere, the FARO Summit will extend its activity to the streets of Baiona on November 20 and 21 with a free program aimed at families, children, and young people. Through exhibitions, immersive experiences, and educational workshops, citizens will be able to enjoy a unique opportunity to connect live and closely with marine culture and knowledge of our oceanic ecosystems.
