Economy

Kerala and EU Unite: How This Conclave Will Supercharge Blue Economy Growth

Kerala, EU host “Blue Economy Conclave” to boost sustainable ocean growth and partnerships.

September 15, 2025, 5:06 PM

Houseboats on a tranquil river flowing through lush green paddy fields and palm trees in Kerala, India

An aerial view of traditional houseboats cruising along a serene river in the beautiful backwaters of Kerala, India. By ebin francis / Shutterstock.com.

Executive Summary

Kerala will host a two-day “Blue Economy Conclave” with the European Union (EU) starting September 18, aiming to foster sustainable ocean-based economic growth and strengthen India-EU partnerships.

The conclave, a collaborative initiative between the Department of Fisheries, Government of Kerala, the Government of India, and the EU, seeks to build partnerships across marine sectors like logistics, fisheries, aquaculture, tourism, and renewable energy, while also promoting skill development, research, and innovation.

Over 500 delegates, including experts, policy leaders, industry executives, investors, and representatives from 17 European countries, will participate to leverage EU expertise and Kerala’s potential to position the state as a sustainable model in the blue economy domain.

The Story So Far

The upcoming “Blue Economy Conclave” in Kerala is a significant collaborative initiative between the Department of Fisheries, Government of Kerala, the Government of India, and the European Union, specifically designed to foster sustainable ocean-based economic growth. This event aims to strengthen partnerships between India and Europe by leveraging the EU’s extensive expertise and Kerala’s inherent advantages as a coastal state, thereby developing comprehensive and sustainable coastal ecosystems across critical marine sectors, promoting skill development, and encouraging joint research and innovation.

Why This Matters

The upcoming Blue Economy Conclave in Kerala, a joint initiative with the European Union, is set to significantly strengthen India-EU partnerships across crucial marine sectors, including fisheries, aquaculture, and renewable energy. This collaboration is poised to attract substantial investment and expertise, positioning Kerala as a sustainable model for coastal development, and potentially driving economic growth, skill development, and policy innovation in the region’s blue economy.

Who Thinks What?

The Government of Kerala and India view the Blue Economy Conclave as a significant collaborative initiative to foster sustainable ocean-based economic growth, build partnerships with the EU across critical marine sectors, leverage European expertise, and position Kerala as a sustainable and resilient model in the blue economy domain.

The European Union sees the conclave as an opportunity to strengthen global partnerships in the blue economy sector, share expertise, and collaborate with India and Kerala towards a shared vision of prosperous and sustainable coastal ecosystems.

Kerala is set to host a two-day “Blue Economy Conclave” with the European Union (EU), commencing on September 18, aiming to foster sustainable ocean-based economic growth and strengthen partnerships between India and Europe. Titled “Blue Tides-Two Shores One Vision,” the event will feature an inaugural address by Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan on September 19, alongside a keynote speech from Hervé Delphin, the Ambassador of the European Union to India and Bhutan.

Conclave Objectives and Collaboration

The conclave is a significant collaborative initiative between the Department of Fisheries, Government of Kerala, the Government of India, and the European Union. Its primary objectives include building EU-Kerala partnerships across critical marine sectors such as marine logistics, fisheries, aquaculture, coastal tourism, renewable marine energy, and green technologies.

Beyond economic growth, the event seeks to promote skill development, academic collaboration, labour mobility, policy innovation, joint research and development, and startup innovation. These areas are central to developing a comprehensive and sustainable coastal ecosystem.

Participation and Scope

Over 500 delegates are anticipated to attend the conclave, comprising leading experts, stakeholders, policy leaders, industry executives, and 100 selected investors from both India and abroad. Representatives from 17 European countries, including Finland, France, Hungary, Poland, Slovakia, Slovenia, Sweden, Denmark, Bulgaria, Austria, Malta, Spain, Italy, Netherlands, Belgium, Romania, and Germany, have confirmed their participation.

The event will also see the presence of Union Ministers, senior officials, trade union representatives from the fisheries sector, and heads of various departments and universities, ensuring a broad spectrum of perspectives and expertise.

Leveraging Expertise for Future Growth

A key focus of the conclave will be a presentation to EU delegates on Kerala’s immense possibilities and potential within the fisheries sector. The aim is to leverage the EU’s extensive expertise and Kerala’s inherent advantages as a coastal state to chart future growth strategies.

This collaboration is designed to position Kerala as a sustainable and resilient model in the blue economy domain. Panel sessions throughout the event will provide platforms for Ambassadors, investors, and government officials to share ideas and perspectives, contributing to policy innovation and strategic planning.

Fostering Sustainable Marine Development

The Blue Economy Conclave represents a pivotal step towards enhancing international collaboration in sustainable marine development. It underscores Kerala’s strategic importance and the EU’s commitment to global partnerships within the blue economy sector, working towards a shared vision of prosperous and sustainable coastal ecosystems.