From Source-to-Sea to Scale: Mediterranean Pathways for Water Resilience and the Ocean Pact

The adoption of the European Ocean Pact and the Water Resilience Strategy marks a new phase for the governance of aquatic ecosystems, calling for stronger integration between marine and freshwater policies and for a source-to-sea approach capable of linking innovation, territorial cooperation and investment. In this context, the Mediterranean basin represents a unique laboratory for translating European ambitions into concrete action.
Building on the experience of the EU Mission “Restore our Ocean and Waters by 2030”, BlueMissionMed, Interreg programmes, the Union for the Mediterranean and other regional initiatives, this session will explore how policies, governance frameworks and innovation ecosystems can jointly support the transition from pilot actions to large-scale deployment. Particular attention will be devoted to the role of the Mediterranean as a living laboratory for integrated water management and to the contribution of regional cooperation mechanisms in developing resilient and inclusive pathways. 
The discussion will focus on strengthening coordination across sectors and governance levels, accelerating the uptake of innovative solutions and enhancing the impact of investments through cooperation and participatory approaches. In doing so, the event will contribute to reinforcing synergies among European policies and initiatives while creating a bridge towards major international processes.
The session will conclude with a reflection on Living Labs as powerful instruments for co-creation, citizen engagement and collaborative governance.

Session Chair

Elisa Conti, CNR DSSTTA

Program

10.30 Welcome and Introduction
Chair: Elisa Conti, CNR DSSTTA

10.40 Roundtable 1 - Setting the framework: Policy and Governance for Water Resilience in the Mediterranean
Moderator: Francesco Camonita, CPMR IMC

Invited speakers (TBC):
Florika Fink-Hooijer, Director-General, DG ENV, European Commission - Water Resilience Strategy
Charlina Vitcheva, Director-General, DG MARE, European Commission - From Ocean Pact to Ocean Act
Michael Karnitschnig, Acting Director-General, DG MENA, European Commission - Mediterranean Pact and action plan
Alessandra Sensi, Union for the Mediterranean - Water Ministerial Declaration
Maria Spena, President of the One Water Italian Committee - EuroMediterranean Water Forum
Samson Bellières, Plan-bleu
Regione Veneto (TBD)

11.25 Roundtable 2 - From Innovation to Deployment: Scaling Mediterranean Solutions
Moderator: Elisa Conti, CNR DSSTTA

Invited speakers (TBC):
Wiebke Pankauke, Head of Unit B4, DG RTD, European Commission - EU Mission Restore our Ocean and Waters by 2030
Lorenzo Proia, UVIC - SEACURE
Vanessa Moschino, CNR ISMAR - INSPIRE
Stefania Campogianni, WWF Mediterranean
Claudiane de Corbiac, IFREMER - EPIC, Interreg Project
Stefano Valentini, ART-ER - BLUE ECOSYSTEM, Interreg Euro-MED 

12.10 Living Lab for Ocean and Waters in dialogue with MEDCONNECT
Moderator: Elisabetta Balzi, DG RTD, European Commission

Invited speakers (TBC):
Fantina Madricardo, CNR ISMAR - Living Lab for Ocean and Waters (CNR) and Mediterranean Blue Living Lab Network
Gotelenne Piaton, CMMI - MEDCONNECT

12.30 Closure by the Chair