The Food and Agricultural Organisation of the United Nations (FAO) has published its “Guidance to Become a Blue Port” methodological roadmap to assist fishing ports in their sustainability path. It also has the aim to help local, regional, and national authorities to gain a better understanding of the process of a blue transformation. The AIVP contributed to the document by adding our expertise regarding the blue economy, the sustainability transition in ports, and port-city collaboration.

The metropolitan council of Nice (France) has set in motion plans to turn the district into a city-port interface zone around the “Infernet” dock and port. The clear aim is to build a congress centre by July 2025 to host the United Nations Ocean Conference, which will be attended by representatives from 180 countries. Nice Métropole Côte d’Azur hopes that the newly redeveloped precinct will act as a showcase to regenerate the waterfront, fund new events facilities, and support the sustainable blue economy. The council ruling also stipulates that the port of Nice will return to municipal control this summer. To oversee this local project with global implications, a public interest grouping will be created including the French State, Nice Métropole Côte d’Azur, the State of Costa Rica (which is co-organising the event), and the UN.

As part of the European “Living Ports” project, funded by the Horizon programme, the 300 m2 space is dedicated to marine ecology in the centre of the city of Vigo (Spain). The initiative, led by the company ECOncrete (AIVP member), includes 330 m2 of ecological seawalls, recreating natural habitats. The subaquatic aquarium, installed in one of the port basins, is open to the public, enabling visitors to see the teeming life in the port and city basins. There are weekly tours with no charge for admission on Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays.

Busan’s historic North Port (South Korea) is being redeveloped in preparation of the proposed World Expo 2030 and in line with its Expo Bid “Transforming Our World, Navigating Toward a Better Future”. The redevelopment project started in 2007, with the aim of redeveloping the old port area for marine tourism and an international business hub. The aim is to restore the port in an eco-friendly manner, utilizing existing features and building sustainable transportation systems. The Transformation Square, pavilions, and exhibitions are planned to occupy 2km². In collaboration with U.N.-Habitat, the Busan city government will install a floating island to suggest an alternative space showing how to adapt to rising sea levels and climate change.