3-5 NOV 2026
GRAN VIA VENUE – BARCELONA

Day 1 Programme
Day 2 Programme
Day 3 Programme

Day 2 | 4 November

Sustainable Ocean Summit

By World Ocean Council

The Market

09:45 - 10:15

The Ocean at a Turning Point


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

Marine Carbon Dioxide Removal: Building a Responsible Market


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

MODERATOR:

  • Allyson Beach, Blue Acceleration Adviser, World Ocean Council

SPEAKERS:

  • Brian Tsuyoshi Takeda, Secretariat of International Affairs/Co-founder, Japan Blue Economy Association/ Restorae

11:00 –11:30

Coffee Break
(SOS delegates only)

11:30 - 12:15

Decarbonising and Redefining Maritime: The Reality of the Transitions

 

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

MODERATOR:

  • Will Symons, Deloitte Asia Pacific Sustainability & Infrastructure Leader, Deloitte

    SPEAKERS:
  •  Colleen Martin, Chairperson / Strategic Partnerships Director, BMT Ltd
  • José Manuel Antón García, Head of the Project Management Office, Naval and Maritime Technology Center
  • Wassim DAOUD, Head of CSR and Sustainability, Ponant

12:15 -13:00

Barcelona’s Boating Decarbonisation: From Local Action to Global Impact

 

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

SPEAKERS:
  • Adrià Jover, President, International Electric Maritime Association
  • Laureà Fanega Macías, Director General, Fundació Barcelona Capital Nautica

13:00 -14:00

Lunch Break
(SOS Delegates only)

14:00 - 14:20

 Circular Ocean Economy: From Ambition to Practice

 

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: Hype, Hope or High-Growth Sector?

 

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

MODERATOR:

  • Chris Ninnes, CEO, Aquaculture Stewardship Council 

SPEAKERS:

  • Deniz Ficicioglu, Founder, Wunderfish and Oceanfruit

15:00-15:30

Coffee Break

15:30 -17:00

How Resilient Is Your Coast?
A Coastal Resilience Scorecard Workshop

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

MODERATORS:
  • Cheryl Hapke, Coastal Resilience Strategist, Hapke Coastal LLC
  • Eugene Montoya, Founder & Principal, Sandmont Natural Capital

17:00 - 18:00

Drinks Reception
(SOS delegate only)

Tomorrow Blue Economy 

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

SPEAKERS: 

  • Fed DeGobbi, Founder, The Ocean Age
  • Ignasi Ferrer, CEO and Co-Founder, Ocean Ecostructures

10:15 - 11:15

Making Waves: 5-Minute Start-Up Pitches

 

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

Blue Spark Announcements


Brief announcements highlighting new partnerships, projects and opportunities emerging through the World Ocean Council network.

*Organised by World Ocean Council

11:45 - 12:30

Barcelona Blue Economy Strategy 2026–2030: From Vision to Action

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

MODERATOR: 

  • Anna Majó, Director of Strategic Sectors and Innovation, Barcelona Activa

SPEAKERS:

  • Raffaele Mancini,  Director, Decade Collaborative Centre, Sustainable Ocean Economy
  • Roz Guarnori,  Exhibition Portfolio Director, Transport Technology, UKi Media & Events 

12:30 - 13.15

Making Waves: 5-Minute Start-Up Pitches

 

A rapid-fire showcase of start-ups and scale-ups driving innovation across the blue economy.

12.30
Slow Mill Wave Power

12.35
ITACA Futures

12.40
Dottir Labs

12.45
Floating Power Plant

12.50
PANSSARI

12.55
Moshun.Earth

13.00
Kendoo

13.05
Ovue

*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

Making Waves — 5-Minute Start-Up Pitches


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

Existing Tools to Boost Blue Innovation

 

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

SPEAKERS: 

  • Ruben Hernandez, Head of BlueTechPort & Strategic Development, Company

15:45 - 16.15

CONNECTIO: From Blue Innovation to Market Impact

 

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

CONNECTIO meetings: From Blue Innovation to Market Impact

 

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

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