As part of the Ministerial process, the UfM Stakeholders Conference on Blue Economy was organised for the 10-11th of March in Barcelona. However, due to the COVID-19 crisis and the impracticability to undertake the UfM Stakeholders Conference on Blue Economy itself, the UfM Co-Presidency and Secretariat launched an online consultation among the same group of stakeholders between the 11th and 25th of March 2020, as immediate alternative modality of exchange within the blue economy community.

The consultation was structured around priority themes identified with the UfM Member States, ranging from maritime governance, sustainable food, tourism, maritime transport and ports management to adaptation to climate change, marine energy, blue skills development and employment, safety and surveillance. Around 100 entities - including research centres and universities, public administrations, private sector, international organisations and non-governmental organisations - submitted over 350 substantial feedbacks. Inputs in full can be downloaded in EN and FR here.