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Maritime Forum
  • News announcement
  • 20 May 2020
  • Directorate-General for Maritime Affairs and Fisheries
  • 1 min read

Cancellation of European Maritime Day 2020

20 May is European Maritime Day. Every year the EU organises the EMD conference around that date. It is one of the highlights of the maritime calendar, with up to 1,500 stakeholders joining as we celebrate the blue economy.      

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© Ixpert/shutterstock.com

This year, the Commission had planned another great edition, together with Cork, the host city of EMD 2020. And together with maritime stakeholders, people and organisations who had registered in huge numbers. 

Unfortunately, because of the coronavirus and social distancing rules, the organisers - European Commission, the Irish government, and Cork City Council - have taken the collective decision to cancel the event altogether.

The Commission would like to thank all stakeholders and organisers for the work and enthusiasm they have put into this event over the past months and regrets that it was not possible to take advantage of the warm welcome and hospitality prepared by the Irish partners of EMD 2020 and hopes that the possibility for the City of Cork to host the EMD will arise at some time in the future. 

As Europe emerges from this crisis, the blue economy with its tremendous potential for smart, inclusive and sustainable growth can help the economic recovery in coastal areas and beyond. 

Oceans of Learning Campaign

In recognition of European Maritime Day and World Oceans Day on 8th June, the Irish Marine Institute will be celebrating our seas, our world’s shared ocean and our connection to the sea through its ‘Oceans of Learning Campaign’. Over the next 10 weeks, the Marine Institute and its partners, will share news and offer online interactive activities, videos and downloadable resources.  The campaign will raise awareness of the importance of our oceans through topics that were to be covered by EMD - from the food from our ocean, our changing ocean climate, ports and shipping, to our diverse marine biodiversity – and will promote the importance of collaboration – locally, nationally and internationally.

More info: #OceansOfLearning

Related links

Video message of Virginijus Sinkevičius, Commissioner for Environment, Oceans and Fisheries

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