Tomorrow.Blue Economy Charts a Course to Boost the Blue Economy
Barcelona, Spain, November 14, 2024 — The path towards a future where the blue economy plays a pivotal role in societal development became more defined during the third edition of the Tomorrow.Blue Economy World Congress (TBEWC). Over 250 international experts convened to share insights into harnessing the extraordinary potential of seas and oceans. The event emphasized using innovation and sustainability to establish oceans as economic powerhouses.
One of the standout sections of the congress was the Smart Ports: Piers of the Future forum, organized by the Port of Barcelona. Additionally, conferences led by the World Ocean Council (WOC) addressed major challenges faced by strategic infrastructures in urban areas and explored paths to minimize marine pollution.
The TBEWC took place from November 5 to 7 at Barcelona’s Gran Via venue, co-organized by Fira de Barcelona in partnership with the Barcelona City Council through Barcelona Activa, the Port of Barcelona, the World Ocean Council, and Smart Ports: Piers of the Future, an initiative by the Port Authority of Barcelona.
During the congress, discussions centered on the importance of ocean resources, their potential, and conservation. Featuring over 250 specialists from around the globe, the event offered a comprehensive conference program with more than 40 informative sessions.
Coinciding with the congress, on November 5 and 6, the sixth edition of Smart Ports: Piers of the Future took place. The Port of Barcelona’s initiative attracted authorities worldwide, featuring over 60 speakers in various panels. Notable participants included Tino Klemm, CFO of the Hamburg Port Authority; José Alberto Carbonell, General Director of the Port of Barcelona; and Michael DiBernardo, Deputy Executive Director of Marketing and Customer Relations at the Port of Los Angeles.
Topics discussed ranged from the use of drones in port activities to combating drug trafficking and organized crime. Other crucial focuses were actions to minimize marine pollution, particularly from plastics, and the impact of artificial intelligence on port infrastructure management. The event was supported by an alliance of key ports from Antwerp-Bruges, Barcelona, Busan, Gothenburg, Hamburg, Los Angeles, Montreal, and Rotterdam, all aiming to promote the digital and sustainable transformation of ports.
Further enriching the congress, the Tomorrow.Blue Economy World Congress hosted the Sustainable Ocean Summit (November 5-6) and the Global Blue Finance Summit (November 7). These forums, orchestrated by the WOC, were pivotal in fostering business collaboration and developing innovative financial solutions to support the growth of the blue economy.
TBEWC was held alongside the Tomorrow.Mobility World Congress and Tomorrow.Building World Congress, in conjunction with the Smart City Expo World Congress 2024. The Expo is recognized as the largest global event focused on cities and urban innovation. This year it welcomed more than 1,100 exhibitors and representatives from 850 cities and 140 countries. Over three days, the events attracted more than 25,771 attendees from over 130 countries at the Fira de Barcelona’s Gran Via venue.
