At the OECD Urban Days in Paris (14-17 April 2025), the International Association of Port Cities (AIVP), represented by Vice-President Alberto Cappato, contributed to the session “Spotlight on SDG 14: Life Below Water – A Territorial Approach to the Blue Economy.” The session highlighted the importance of local and regional action in promoting a sustainable blue economy, ahead of the UN Ocean Conference in June 2025.
Cappato emphasized the strategic role of port cities in the blue economy, pointing to sectors such as maritime transport, renewable energies, and tourism. He underscored that the port-city interface is vital not only for economic growth but also for building coastal resilience in the face of climate change. He called for more integrated planning between ports and cities and the involvement of all stakeholders to ensure sustainable and inclusive development.
The event brought together global leaders in ocean and urban policy, including representatives from the European Commission, the Azores Government, the City of Nice, and the Ocean & Climate Platform.
A key outcome from the event is a forthcoming call to action to be presented at the OECD Ministerial Meeting on Regional Development in Warsaw (19–20 May 2025). It will urge ministers to strengthen territorial approaches to SDG 14 and foster synergies between economic development and marine ecosystem protection. AIVP contributed to the content of the call to action, providing relevant inputs.
