events event: The first ever EU Algae awareness summit

Date: October 05, 2023 to October 07, 2023

Place:  Hybrid (Online & Maison de l’Océan), Paris - France

Description of the event: 

Introduction:

The first ever EU Algae Awareness Summit will be held 5-7 October 2023 at the Maison de l’Océan in Paris. The Summit will kick off a process and raise awareness among EU Member States’ administrations and the general public on the benefits algae cultivation may bring to national and regional economies, to people, and to the regeneration of our Ocean. Through a round of pitches on the algae sector developments globally and in Europe, high-level panel conversations, participatory group discussions, algae products tasting an exhibition area with possibility to explore various algae products and a virtual reality experience, event participants may learn about algae’s multifaceted contributions to society and be inspired to increase their support to the algae sector developments.

The event will be co-organised by the European Commission, French Government and the Global Seaweed Coalition (UN Global Compact) with the support of the Oceanographic Institute, Prince Albert I of Monaco Foundation.

Background:

The European Commission has recently devoted lots of support to algae sector developments in the European Union (EU). Among other actions, it adopted a dedicated EU Algae Initiative on 15 November 2022 and created a European Algae Stakeholder platform EU4Algae that already comprises more than 840 registered algae sector stakeholders within and outside the EU. Lack of awareness about the benefits and opportunities that algae can bring to national economies and lack of acceptance of algae products in the EU have been recognized among the key bottlenecks preventing algae sector developments. To address these, the European Commission is organizing a collaborative 1st EU Algae Awareness Summit to inspire EU national and regional aquaculture authorities in charge of regulations and governance to facilitate allocation of licenses and maritime space for algae cultivation.

Physical participants will have the opportunity to learn about algae sector developments across the world and in Europe (thanks to the Global Seaweed Coalition (GSC) and EU business organizations). The three day event will include an exhibition that will be structured around the following thematic areas: algae for food, feed, cosmetics, bio-packaging, biostimulants, textile/art/design, other applications, enabling technologies, science, coalitions and enabling organizations, farmers and producers. While participation on 5 and 6 October will be by invitation only, the Maison de l’Ocean will be open to the public on 7th October. Please see the provisional agenda below.

5 October :(invitation only)

The webstreaming link (14:00-19:00):

https://channel.royalcast.com/avex/#!/avex/20231005_1

Morning: a closed session of the Global Seaweed Coalition

Afternoon (all participants): A round of of introductions from global leaders supporting algae

sector developments and presentations from all across the world on algae sectors on good practices, trends and opportunities

Evening (all physical participants): A networking dinner, including tasting of algae products

6 October: (invitation only)

The webstreaming link (9:00-13:00):

https://channel.royalcast.com/avex/#!/avex/20231006_1

High-level presentations and a moderated high-level panel discussion We expect the participation of the European Commissioner for Environment, Oceans and Fisheries, Virginijus Sinkevičius, the French high level government official, His Serene Highness Albert II, Sovereign Prince of Monaco (video message), the Member of European Parliament (tbc) and Mr. Robert Calcagno, Chief Executive Officer, Oceanographic Institute, Prince Albert I of Monaco Foundation and more.

This session and panel discussions will be moderated by Ms Nichola Dyer, Senior Advisor to the Global Seaweed Coalition.

Presentation of the EU Algae Initiative and EU4Algae Platform

Setting the scene for break out discussions:

Taking stock of global efforts, recap from 1st day

EU algae sector landscape

EU representative’s pitches with operational algae stories from within the EU

3 break-out discussions, allowing each participant the opportunity to discuss each of the three 3 themes

Collaborative algae sector session

Report-outs from all break-out discussions to the plenary

7 October (Saturday): open to general public

The webstreaming link (10:00-13:00):
https://channel.royalcast.com/avex/#!/avex/20231007_1

A day open to the public – 10:00 – 17:00
The aim of the day is to create awareness and inspiration among the general public on various algae sector activities, products, business opportunities and to highlight its positive impact on climate and the environment etc. In the morning, some inspiring speeches are expected by sector leaders such as Alexandra CousteauVincent DoumeizelBrune PoirsonRomain Trouble (Tara Oceans). Chefs will also be invited to share their insights on ways algae can enhance flavor and nutrition. Some educative workshops about and around algae will be available during the day.

Type: By Invitation Only

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