Regional Aquaculture Conference 2014

The Italian Presidency of the Council of the European Union, together with the General Fisheries Commission for the Mediterranean (GFCM) of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) and in cooperation with the European Commission, are pleased to organize the Regional Aquaculture Conference: "Blue Growth in the Mediterranean and the Black Sea: developing sustainable aquaculture for food security".

The main objective of the conference is to take stock of the progress made by aquaculture in the region and to address the main governance, economic, social and environmental challenges for its sustainable development. It aims to renew political commitment among all actors concerned towards sustainable aquaculture development in the Mediterranean and the Black Sea. The regional conference will offer an important opportunity for experts and stakeholders from different countries to share their experiences, discuss challenges ahead and explore potential synergies and cooperation opportunities. At the same time, there is great will to mobilize political commitment towards a common strategy for aquaculture in the Mediterranean and the Black Sea based upon a Blue Growth approach and taking into account the main governance, economic, social and environmental aspects of aquaculture sustainability.

Discussions will focus on aspects such as:

• how aquaculture contributes to economic development, employment, growth and food security, taking into account human health and quality of aquaculture products ;

• strengthening governance through a participatory and multi-stakeholders approach;

• concerted strategies and multilateral actions to support sustainable aquaculture development while bearing in mind emerging issues and challenges at the regional level;

• enhancing cooperation within a Blue Growth and ecosystem approach, taking into account the specific needs of each country and subregion.