The Sun&Blue congress 2025: connecting minds for a sustainable Mediterranean blue economy
Sun&Blue 2025 in Almería brought together experts from over 37 countries to explore the future of the blue economy and sustainable tourism. The event showcased innovative projects like GREENMEDPORTS, offered a platform for sharing best practices, and highlighted strategies to strengthen collaboration across public, private, and academic sectors. Participants drew inspiration from successful initiatives like the Valencian Region’s sustainable tourism plan and explored new opportunities in maritime innovation, energy, and coastal tourism.
The conference highlighted projects designed to push the blue economy forward in sustainable ways:
GREENMEDPORTS aims to transform Mediterranean ports into more environmentally friendly hubs.
SHARE4MED serves as a collaborative platform for sustainable tourism and maritime innovation.
Sessions emphasized how public-private partnerships and regional cooperation can accelerate the adoption of sustainable practices across Mediterranean countries.
Learning from Mediterranean Success Stories
One of the main attractions of the congress was showcasing successful regional models. Jose Manuel Camarero Benitez, Secretary of Tourism of the Generalitat Valenciana, presented the Valencian Region’s sustainable tourism strategy as a practical blueprint that can be replicated in other coastal areas to boost local economies while protecting natural resources. Other sessions highlighted Europe’s progress in sustainable tourism, focusing on innovation, technology, and cross-border collaboration with initiatives like WestMED and DG MARE.
Networking and International Collaboration
Beyond the formal sessions, the congress created spaces for networking and hands-on experiences. Side events included project visits, interactive workshops, and opportunities to connect with investors, researchers, and policymakers. These interactions opened doors for new collaborations and innovative solutions in blue economy projects across the Mediterranean.
Sun&Blue Congress 2025 reinforced the importance of cooperation in building a sustainable, innovation-driven blue economy. From showcasing groundbreaking projects to sharing real-life success stories and facilitating international networking, the event proved to be a key platform for shaping the future of maritime tourism and coastal economic development.
