General Fisheries Commission for the Mediterranean - GFCM

Programme

The conference will open on 3 October 2023 with multidisciplinary panels exploring the challenges faced and potential solutions as we look to the future. These will be followed, on the second day, by a high-level segment where ministers and their representatives will announce how they intend to accelerate their commitments towards delivering on their sustainability pledges and defining the future outlook, means and opportunities for this important sector. Other events are also planned to be held in parallel with the conference.

Tuesday 3 October 2023

Multidisciplinary panels: transformative actions in Mediterranean and Black Sea fisheries and aquaculture

Moderated by: Mr Miguel Bernal, Executive Secretary, GFCM
9.30 – 12.30

Welcome by the host country and general introduction

The Hon. Ms Alicia Bugeja Said, Parliamentary Secretary for Fisheries, Aquaculture and Animal Rights, Malta

Session 1
Adapting to change: towards long-term sustainability and resilience for Mediterranean and Black Sea fisheries and aquaculture

Moderated by Ms Alexandra Cousteau, Explorer and Ocean Advocate
  • Keynote address
    Ms Zakia Driouich, Secretary General for Maritime Fisheries, Ministry of Agriculture, Maritime Fisheries, Rural Development, Water and Forests, Morocco
  • Expert panel
    Ms Susan Steele, Executive Director, European Fisheries Control Agency
    Mr Ali Cemal Gücü, Professor, Middle East Technical University, Türkiye
    Mr Chadi Mohanna, Director of Rural Development and Natural Resources, Ministry of Agriculture, Lebanon
  • Discussion

Session 2
Fishers of the future: attracting a new generation of professionals to the fishing sector

Moderated by Mr Marco Costantini, Fisheries Regional Manager, WWF Mediterranean Initiative
  • Keynote address
    Ms Charlina Vitcheva, Director-General for Maritime Affairs and Fisheries, European Commission
  • Expert panel
    Mr Šime Barić, Cooperative Manager, Velebit Champions, Croatia
    Mr Ramazan Özkaya, President, Sür-Koop, Türkiye
    Ms Giusy Donato, Fisher, Italy
  • Discussion
12.30 – 14.30

Lunch

13.15– 14.15

Side event: Discovering pathways to sustainable Mediterranean fisheries – MedPath’s transformative and participatory approach

Organized by Marine Stewardship Council

Side event: The importance of protecting the deep sea – the case of Cabliers Bank

Organized by Oceana
14.30 – 17.30

Session 3
Transforming our aquatic food systems: towards socially viable and ecologically sustainable value chains

Moderated by Mr Eric Banel, Director General of Maritime Affairs, Fisheries and Aquaculture, France
  • Keynote address
    Mr Carlos Fuentevilla, Fishery Officer, Fisheries and Aquaculture Division, FAO
  • Expert panel
    Ms Mervat Sabreen, Assistant to the Minister for Social Solidarity, Egypt
    Ms Ismini Bogdanou, Director of Communications and Public Relations, Hellenic Aquaculture Producers Organization
    Mr Giampaolo Buonfiglio, Vice-Chairperson, Mediterranean Advisory Council
  • Discussion

Wrap-up session and take-away messages

Ms Alexandra Cousteau, Explorer and Ocean Advocate
Mr Marco Costantini, Fisheries Regional Manager, WWF Mediterranean Initiative
Mr Eric Banel, Director General of Maritime Affairs, Fisheries and Aquaculture, France

Closing address

Mr Karmenu Vella, Special Advisor to the European Commissioner for Environment, Oceans and Fisheries
17.30–18.30

Side event: Calling for decisive action to strengthen transparency, compliance, and the enforcement of measures to end illegal bottom trawling

Organized by Med Sea Alliance
20.00

Celebratory event

Presentation of awards on innovative practices in fisheries and aquaculture

Official dinner

Wednesday 4 October 2023

High-level segment: accelerating commitments

Moderated by Ms Charlina Vitcheva, Director-General for Maritime Affairs and Fisheries, European Commission
9.30 – 12.30

Welcome speeches

The Hon. Mr Anton Refalo, Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Animal Rights, Malta

Keynote address

Mr Karmenu Vella, Special Advisor to the European Commissioner for Environment, Oceans and Fisheries

Scene-setter video

Advances on MedFish4Ever initiatives

Mr Miguel Bernal, Executive Secretary, GFCM

High-level dialogue: transformative action to accelerate commitments

H.E. Eleftherios Avgenakis, Minister for Rural Development and Food, Greece H.E. Abbas Hajj Hassan, Minister for Agriculture, Lebanon The Hon. Ms Alicia Bugeja Said, Parliamentary Secretary for Fisheries, Aquaculture and Animal Rights, Malta Mr Karmenu Vella, Special Advisor to the European Commissioner for Environment, Oceans and Fisheries Mr Arian Palluqi, Adviser to the Minister for Agriculture and Rural Development, Albania Mr Mansour bin Hilal Al Mushaiti, Vice Minister for Environment, Water and Agriculture, Saudi Arabia Mr Zdravko Tušek, State Secretary, Ministry of Agriculture, Croatia Mr Ridha Gabouj, State Secretary, Ministry of Agriculture, Water Resources and Fisheries, Tunisia Mr Costas Hadjipanayiotou, Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Agriculture, Rural Development and Environment, Cyprus Mr Patrizio Giacomo La Pietra, Undersecretary of State, Ministry of Agriculture, Food Sovereignty and Forestry, Italy (TBC) Mr Eric Banel, Director General of Maritime Affairs, Fisheries and Aquaculture, Ministry of the Sea, France Ms Zakia Driouich, Secretary General for Maritime Fisheries, Ministry of Agriculture, Maritime Fisheries, Rural Development, Water and Forests, Morocco Ms Katarina Burzanovic, Director, Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Water Management, Montenegro Ms Isabel Artime García, Secretary General for Fisheries, Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, Spain Mr Mustafa Altuğ Atalay, Director-General, Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry, Türkiye Mr Nir Froyman, Director, Fisheries and Aquaculture Division, Ministry of Agriculture, Israel

Closure of the conference

Ms Charlina Vitcheva, Director-General for Maritime Affairs and Fisheries, European Commission Mr Roland Kristo, Chairperson, GFCM