3-5 NOV 2026
GRAN VIA VENUE – BARCELONA
3-5 NOV 2026
GRAN VIA VENUE – BARCELONA
By World Ocean Council
The Market
09:45 - 10:15
The Sustainable Ocean Summit opens with a wide-ranging conversation on the forces shaping the future of the ocean economy. From climate pressure and biodiversity loss to innovation, investment and political ambition, the exchange will consider where progress is being made, where it is falling short and what leadership is now needed.
Waterside chat
*Organised by World Ocean Council
10:15 - 11:00
mCDR has the potential to play a significant role alongside rapid emissions reductions. This discussion will highlight the key advancements in the sector over the past 12 months, explore what credible market readiness looks like, and consider the main barriers that remain..
*Organised by World Ocean Council
11:00 –11:30
Coffee Break
(SOS delegates only)
11:30 - 12:15
The maritime sector has set ambitious decarbonisation targets, but progress remains uneven across fuels, technologies, infrastructure and regulation. The panel will take stock of what is already changing, where momentum is still lacking and what must happen next to accelerate the transition.
*Organised by World Ocean Council
12:15 -13:00
This session explores the future of sustainable boating through Barcelona’s growing role as a leading ecosystem for boating decarbonisation and innovation. Showcasing Barcelona’s emerging ecosystem, Fundació Barcelona Capital Nàutica will lead a dynamic session beginning with a conversation on the key findings and priorities of its Decarbonisation Action Plan, followed by a thematic roundtable examining impact, innovation and how Barcelona’s approach can inspire scalable solutions worldwide.
*Organised by Fundació Barcelona Capital Nàutica
13:00 -14:00
Lunch Break
(SOS Delegates only)
14:00 - 14:20
The circular economy offers a way to reduce waste, keep materials in use and ease pressure on marine ecosystems, but progress remains fragmented. This presentation will examine where circular models are already delivering results, what continues to limit wider adoption and how industry can move from isolated initiatives to lasting change.
*Organised by World Ocean Council
14:20 - 15:00
Blue food is gaining attention as a source of nutrition, economic opportunity and lower-impact food production. Yet questions remain around sustainability, affordability and whether the sector can grow without placing further pressure on marine ecosystems. The discussion will explore where genuine potential lies and what responsible growth could look like.
*Organised by World Ocean Council
15:00-15:30
Coffee Break
15:30 -17:00
Introducing the Coastal Resilience Scorecard, the flagship tool for the Centre of Excellence for Coastal Resilience, multi-sector participants will learn how the Scorecard helps assess preparedness, identify critical gaps in resilience planning, policy and finance, and set priorities for action.
*Organised by World Ocean Council, the Center for Sea Rise Solutions, Hapke Coastal and Sandmont Capital
17:00 - 18:00
Drinks Reception
(SOS delegate only)
by Port of Barcelona
TBE Plaza
09:45 - 10:15
Nature-Positive Ocean Economy: Can Restoration Become a Business Model?
Marine restoration and biodiversity protection are attracting growing interest from governments, businesses and investors, but viable models remain difficult to build. The conversation will examine where commercial activity can support nature recovery, how outcomes can be measured and what is needed to move beyond isolated projects.
*Organised by World Ocean Council
10:15 - 11:15
A rapid-fire showcase of 9-10 start-ups and scale-ups driving innovation across the blue economy.
*Organised by World Ocean Council & OCEANOVATION
11:30 - 11:45
Brief announcements highlighting new partnerships, projects and opportunities emerging through the World Ocean Council network.
*Organised by World Ocean Council
11:45 - 12:30
This session will present the new Barcelona Blue Economy Strategy 2026–2030, outlining the city’s roadmap to strengthen its position as a leading hub Blue Economy. The first part will introduce the key priorities, strategic axes and flagship initiatives of the new strategy. This will be followed by a roundtable bringing together key actors of the blue ecosystem to discuss how they are contributing to its implementation and how collaboration across science, businesses and governments can drive tangible impact.
*Organised by Barcelona Activa
12:30 - 13.15
A rapid-fire showcase of start-ups and scale-ups driving innovation across the blue economy.
*Organised by World Ocean Council & OCEANOVATION
13:15 - 14:15
Blue Sparks Announcements:
Brief announcements highlighting new partnerships, projects and opportunities emerging through the World Ocean Council network.
*Organised by World Ocean Council
14:15 - 15:00
A rapid-fire showcase of 9-10 start-ups and scale-ups driving innovation across the blue economy.
*Organised by OCEANOVATION
15:00 - 15:45
Brief insights from key actors from Barcelona and internationally showcasing existing tools, initiatives and approaches to accelerate the development and scaling of blue economy solutions. The session will highlight practical mechanisms for technology transfer, funding access, venture building and global deployment, addressing key barriers to scaling and connecting innovation with market opportunities.
*Organised by Barcelona Activa
15:45 - 16.15
Barcelona Activa’s CONNECTIO platform brings together blue economy corporations with specific innovation challenges and startups offering market ready solutions. The conversation will explore how real business needs can be translated into collaboration opportunities, pilot projects and clear pathways towards adoption.
*Organised by Barcelona Activa
16:15 - 17:45
Building directly on the previous conversation, corporates and startups will take part in a series of structured ten minute meetings focused on identifying potential collaborations, pilot projects and deployment opportunities. Applications to participate will open in early October.
*Organised by Barcelona Activa