A conference that drives Atlantic cooperation
The 12th edition of the Atlantic Stakeholder Platform Conference brought together in Galway on 13 November more than one hundred participants from Europe’s Atlantic regions under the theme “Tides of Cooperation: The Atlantic Strategy as a Catalyst for the European Ocean Pact”. The event highlighted how cooperation between territories can guide Atlantic regions towards a more sustainable and inclusive blue future.
The conference also hosted the 2025 Atlantic Project Awards, recognising outstanding initiatives aligned with the priorities of the Atlantic Action Plan 2.0. In this edition, five projects were honoured for their innovation, collaborative approach, and impact on Atlantic communities.
AquaWind wins the Marine Renewable Energy Award
In the Marine Renewable Energy category, the AquaWind project, coordinated by Javier Roo Filgueira from the Canary Islands Agency for Research, Innovation and Information Society, was recognised for its pioneering prototype that integrates offshore renewable energy with sustainable aquaculture. This initiative demonstrates the feasibility of combining different uses of marine space, creating both environmental and economic value and offering an advanced approach to integrated marine management.
Recognising excellence among Atlantic projects
In the Blue Skills category, the WIN-BIG project, represented by Dr Hasmik Grigoryan, was acknowledged for its work promoting gender equality and the development of blue skills across Europe’s sea basins. Its training and mentoring activities contribute to strengthening a more diverse and resilient maritime workforce.
In the Atlantic Ports category, the SMARTDEC project, led by Philippe Monbet of Pôle Mer Bretagne Atlantique, received the award for driving the transformation of ports into advanced energy hubs. Its approach connects research, industry and public policy to accelerate the decarbonisation of maritime transport and support the green transition.
In the Resilient Coasts category, the MARINNONET project, led by José Luis Soengas, was honoured for its contribution to creating a cross-border network bringing together researchers and industries in marine biotechnology. Its cooperation model reinforces the sustainable use of marine resources across the Atlantic area.
In the International Cooperation category, the OKEANO CSA project, represented by Laura McDonagh, was recognised for its work within the All-Atlantic Ocean Research and Innovation Alliance. The project connects partners from Europe, Africa and the Americas, turning political commitments into concrete actions to protect the ocean.
Both AquaWind and WIN-BIG are projects managed by CINEA, the European Climate, Infrastructure and Environment Executive Agency.
A space for dialogue and shared vision
Beyond the awards, the conference provided a forum to analyse the challenges and opportunities of the Atlantic region. Three plenary sessions addressed key topics: the role of ports in the transition towards blue energy, the importance of blue skills for strengthening resilient communities, and the growing impact of research and innovation under the European Ocean Pact.
These sessions gathered representatives from the Directorate-General for Maritime Affairs and Fisheries (DG MARE), CINEA, the Directorate-General for Research and Innovation (DG RTD), the Marine Institute, the Port of Vigo, INESC TEC and other leading institutions, who shared their perspectives on how cooperation and knowledge exchange can contribute to Europe’s maritime future.
