Xjenza Malta, the National Agency for Research, Innovation, and Space, in collaboration with WestMED – National Hub Malta/Italy and the Malta Maritime Forum, organised the joint Maltese-Italian event Navigating the Future – Innovative Solutions for Sustainable Maritime Development in the Mediterranean.
The one-day event, held at Esplora in Kalkara, brought together regional authorities from Malta, Italy, and other Mediterranean countries, along with research institutes, policymakers, and industry leaders. The participants discussed the importance of collaborative actions in protecting the Mediterranean waters while aligning with the EU’s goals.
In his opening address, Parliamentary Secretary for Youth, Research, and Innovation, Keith Azzopardi Tanti, emphasized Malta’s commitment to sustainability and highlighted the importance of engaging entrepreneurs and youth.
“By strengthening communication with our young people and fostering collaboration with enterprises, we are paving the way for a vibrant and forward-thinking ecosystem in Malta’s blue economy, which employs over 10,000 people and generates more than €406 million annually in gross value added,” said the Parliamentary Secretary.
Godwin Xerri, President of the Malta Maritime Forum, remarked during his address, “The maritime industry must be the driving force of decarbonization because it has itself fallen victim to climate change caused by emissions and pollution.”
This second edition of the joint Maltese-Italian WestMED national event reaffirmed the commitment of both countries to continue building on their collaboration. Stakeholders from Algeria, Tunisia, and Libya also participated in the event. Discussions covered various themes, including climate change and enhancing maritime sustainability in the Mediterranean.