The event brought together researchers and representatives from national ministries, the European Commission, and international organisations, including the Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission of UNESCO. Speakers stressed the need to align funding with policy priorities in order to support innovation and deliver concrete results in the sustainable blue economy, aligning local initiatives with European and global strategies.

The programme featured statements from Peter Grönwoldt (German Federal Ministry of Education and Research), Charlina Vitcheva (European Commission, DG MARE), Elisabetta Balzi (European Commission, DG RTD), and Alison Clausen (IOC-UNESCO).

Speaking on behalf of the German Federal Ministry of Education and Research, Peter Grönwoldt underlined the importance of the Partnership’s approach: “I am proud of the strong engagement to develop impactful cooperation activities, including ocean monitoring, and of the innovative solutions funded together across 30 countries with the European Commission.”

Partnership Coordinator Margherita Cappelletto added: “The Sustainable Blue Economy Partnership is a powerful instrument to co-fund and co-design solution-oriented research and innovation. It follows an impact-pathway approach that supports European competitiveness by aligning investment with strategic priorities and delivering tangible results.”

The programme also spotlighted broader political and policy instruments, such as the European Ocean Pact, the EU Mission “Restore our Ocean and Waters” and the UN Ocean Decade. These initiatives offer common reference points, and the Partnership's contribution lies precisely in translating these strategies into action by supporting research and innovation projects that tackle concrete challenges on the ground and support long-term sustainability in the blue economy.

A lighter moment came with the 'Ocean Quiz Challenge', an interactive knowledge game that tested participants’ ocean literacy and their familiarity with the Partnership's work. The quiz is now available online, offering anyone the chance to test their knowledge and learn more about the ocean and the blue economy in a few quick questions.

A short video capturing the atmosphere on board—including excerpts from the speakers and the quiz—will also be available soon.

Held aboard a working research vessel, METEOR, in the Port of Nice, the event was a space for informal dialogue at a major international conference. It also reinforced the Partnership’s role as a convening force: not just a funding mechanism, but a platform for cooperation across borders and sectors, aimed at delivering practical solutions for a sustainable ocean.