The Italian Presidency of the Council of the European Union, together with the General Fisheries Commission for the Mediterranean (GFCM) of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) and in cooperation with the European Commission and the Italian Ministry of Agricultural Food and Forestry Policies (MiPAAF) are organizing, from 9 to 11 December 2014, a Regional Conference on “Blue Growth in the Mediterranean and the Black Sea: developing sustainable aquaculture for food security”. This event will take place at the International Centre for Advanced Mediterranean Agronomic Studies of Bari (CIHEAM Bari), Italy.

Against the background of a rising food demand from a world population set to rise to 9.6 billion people in 2050, aquaculture is called to play a major role in key areas such as food security, environmental sustainability and employment. At a time when this promising sector continues to develop, in particular in the Mediterranean, there is a strong need to make substantial progress towards its harmonious growth at the regional level taking into account the priorities and specificities of each country in the region. This requires the implementation of coherent and coordinated strategies to ensure sustainable and responsible growth in the sector, also bearing in mind Blue Growth as a whole.

The main objective of this Regional Conference is to take stock of the progress made by aquaculture in the Mediterranean and to address the main challenges for its sustainable development. It also aims to renew commitment among countries and actors concerned to promote a common strategy for aquaculture in the region.

About 180 participants, representatives of international organizations, officers, delegates, experts and professionals from Mediterranean and Black Sea countries (Albania, Algeria, Bulgaria, Croatia, Egypt, France, Greece, Italy, Malta, Morocco, Montenegro, Portugal, Romania, Spain, Tunisia, Turkey and Ukraine) are expected. The High-level Conference, due to take place on 11 December, will give authorities and representatives of interested countries in the region the opportunity to express the views and agree upon future actions to face challenges ahead. It will be preceded by a two-day technical event with panel discussions to address the most salient issues for the aquaculture sector.

For further information, please visit the conference website www.aquaculture2014.org or contact:

Dominique Bourdenet

General Fisheries Commission for the Mediterranean (GFCM)

Palazzo Blumenstihl - Via Vittoria Colonna, 1, 00193 Rome, Italy

Tel: +39 06 57056557, Fax: +39 06 57055827

E-mail: [email protected]

Website: www.gfcmonline.org