Kerala, EU partner to host two-day Blue Economy Conclave in city from Sept 18

CM to deliver inaugural address on Sept 19

Trivandrum / September 15, 2025

Thiruvananthapuram, Sept. 15: The two-day Blue Economy Conclave starting here on September 18 will see convergence of leading experts and stakeholders from India and Europe to spotlight on sustainable development of ocean-based economic growth and partnerships.

Chief Minister Shri Pinarayi Vijayan will deliver the inaugural address to the conclave, “Blue Tides-Two Shores One Vision,” on September 19 at 9.30 am, Minister for Fisheries, Culture and Youth Affairs Shri Saji Cherian told a press conference here today.

Shri Saji Cherian will preside over the inaugural ceremony and Ambassador of the European Union to India and Bhutan Mr Hervé Delphin will deliver the keynote address.

The conclave is a major initiative of the Department of Fisheries, Government of Kerala, in collaboration with the Government of India and the European Union (EU).

Delegates from various European countries will attend the event, to be hosted at The Leela Kovalam, a Raviz Hotel besides Union Ministers, senior officials, policy experts, industry executives and domain experts, Shri Cherian said.

Over 500 delegates will attend the event, which will see leading experts and stakeholders from India and Europe sharing their thoughts on a range of themes relating to comprehensive and sustainable development of coastal ecosystem and forging partnerships, the Minister said.

Key objectives of the conclave include fostering sustainable development through ocean-based economic growth by building EU-Kerala partnership in marine logistics, marine fisheries, aquaculture, coastal tourism, renewable marine energy, and green technologies, promoting skill development, academic collaboration, labour mobility, policy innovation, joint R &D and startup innovation, the Minister said.

“Selected 100 investors from India and abroad will take part in the conclave. Besides, representatives of trade unions in fisheries sector, heads of various departments and universities will also attend. There will be a presentation before EU delegates about Kerala’s immense possibilities and potentials in fisheries sector on September 18,” he added.

Shri Abdul Nasar B, Special Secretary, Fisheries, Govt. of Kerala; Smt Chelsasini V, Director of Fisheries; Smt. Smitha R Nair, Additional Director of Fisheries; and Shri Mohammed Ansari MA, Chief Engineer, Harbour Engineering Department, were also present at the press conference.

So far, 17 European countries---Finland, France, Hungary, Poland, Slovakia, Slovenia, Sweden, Denmark, Bulgaria, Austria, Malta, Spain, Italy, Netherlands, Belgium, Romania and Germany—have  confirmed participation to the event.

The event will chart out future growth strategies and ways of positioning Kerala as a sustainable and resilient model in the domain, leveraging the EU’s expertise and the core advantages of the coastal state.

Union Minister of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry, Dairying and Panchayati Raj, Shri Rajiv Ranjan Singh Alias Lalan Singh; Union Minister of Ports, Shipping and Waterways, Shri. Sarbananda Sonowal; Minister of State for Fisheries, Animal Husbandry, Dairying and Minority Affairs, Shri George Kurian; will be among the guests of honour.

Also, Administrator of Union Territories of Lakshadweep, Dadra and Nagar Haveli and Daman & Diu, Shri Praful Patel; Minister for Finance, Govt. of Kerala, Shri K. N. Balagopal; Leader of the Opposition Shri V D Satheesan; Chairman and MD Lulu Group Shri M. A. Yusuff Ali and Shri T. S. Kalyanaraman of Kalyan Jewellers, will be present on the occasion.

Besides ambassadors from EU countries, Kerala Ministers Shri K Rajan, Shri K Krishnankutty, Shri G R Anil, Dr R Bindu, Shri P A Mohamed Riyas, Shri M B Rajesh, Shri P Rajeeve, Shri V Sivankutty, Shri V N Vasavan and Smt Veena George; Dr Shashi Tharoor, MP; Shri M Vincent, MLA; and Smt Arya Rajendran, Mayor, Thiruvananthapuram, will be the special guests at the inaugural ceremony.

Dr. A Jayathilak, Chief Secretary, Govt. of Kerala; Dr Abhilaksh Likhi, Secretary, Ministry of Fisheries, Govt. of India; Shri Sibi George, Secretary (West), Ministry of External Affairs, Govt. of India; Shri Abdul Nasar B, Special Secretary, Fisheries, Govt. of Kerala; and Smt Chelsasini V, Director of Fisheries, Govt. of Kerala, will also attend.

The conclave will feature panel sessions attended by Ambassadors and investors from EU and officials from Central and state governments. Policy leaders, industry experts, investors, academics and innovators will share their ideas and perspectives in various sessions.

In the session on ‘Coastal Development and Climate Resilient Infrastructures,’ the panelists will include Dr. Ramana Murthy, Mission Director, Deep Ocean Mission, and Director, NCCR, Ministry of Earth Sciences, Govt. of India; and Shri M G Rajamanickam, Secretary, Revenue and Disaster Management, Govt. of Kerala. Shri V. K. Ramachandran, Vice Chairperson, Kerala State Planning Board, will be the moderator.

Shri B Kasiviswanathan IRSME Chairperson, Cochin Port Trust; Shri Sagar Mehra, Joint Secretary (Inland Fisheries & Admin.), Department of Fisheries, Govt. of India; and Dr. A Kowsigan, Special Secretary, Ports, Govt. of Kerala, will speak on ‘Harbour Infrastructures, Ports, Logistics, Shipping and Connectivity Investments,’ which will be moderated by Shri Luxman Radhakrishnan, IAS (Rtd), MD, Malabar International Port & SEZ Ltd & Former Chairman of JNPT.

In the panel session on ‘Sustainable Fisheries, Aquaculture, Post-Harvest Management, Research and Investments,’ the line-up of speakers include Shri Dodda Venkata Swamy, Chairperson, Marine Products Export Development Authority (MPEDA) and Coastal Aquaculture Authority (CAA); Dr. Bijay Kumar Behera ARS Chief Executive, National Fisheries Development Board (NFDB); and Shri Abdul Nasar B, Special Secretary, Fisheries, Govt. of Kerala. Smt Neetu Kumari Prasad, Joint Secretary, Ministry of Fisheries, Govt. of India, will moderate the session.

Shri Puneet Kumar, Additional Chief Secretary, Power Department, Govt. of Kerala, will moderate the session on ‘Green Transition: Circular Economy, Renewable/Clean Energy and Investments,’ which will also have the presence of Shri Mir Mohammed Ali, Director, Ministry of New and Renewable Energy, Govt. of India; and Shri Seeram Sambasiva Rao, Special Secretary, Electronics and IT, Govt. of Kerala.

The session on ‘Education, Skills and Talent Mobility’ will feature Shri Amit Meena, Director, Ministry of Skill Development & Entrepreneurship, Govt. of India and Dr. Sharmila Mary Joseph, Principal Secretary, Higher Education, Govt. of Kerala, as speakers along with other representatives from EU. It will have Dr. Usha Titus, Chairperson & MD, ASAP Kerala, as moderator.

The session on ‘Coastal Tourism and Wellness (Ayush)’ will have the presence of Shri K Biju, Secretary, Kerala Tourism, and Shri Rajan Khobragade, Additional Chief Secretary, Health Department, Govt. of Kerala.

The EU Ambassadors, delegates along with other Central and state officials will also visit to a nearby traditional fishing hub, Vizhinjam Port and Kerala Arts and Crafts Village.

Ends