3rd European GREEN Conference – EGC 2025

10-13 June 2025 | Vodice, CROATIA

Plenary Speaker

Challenges and opportunities for the Blue Economy
Andreea STRACHINESCU OLTEANU

Abstract
If we are to take advantage of the unprecedented opportunities for the blue economy offered by rapid advances in technologies such as artificial intelligence, robotics and bioengineering, we will need to tackle challenges such as expanding our limited knowledge of what is happening and what will happen beneath the surface of the ocean to meet tough targets on decarbonisation and nature restoration, whilst at the same time increasing the EU’s strategic autonomy and remaining competitive in the face of fierce rivalry from traditional and emerging competitors. No EU nation can do this on its own. In response, the European Commission will shortly adopt an Ocean Pact setting out how we can work together to make the blue economy a key player in its ambition to guarantee a secure future with better living standards for EU citizens. It involves resetting its research and innovation strategy by building on Mission Ocean to focus on results and targets, shifting to a radically different and more efficient approach to knowledge and observation that embraces the principle of measure once and use for many purposes and following up the BlueInvest initiative by bringing in more private finance and exploring carbon and nature credits for blue carbon.

Short biography

Andreea Strachinescu is Head of Unit Maritime Innovation, Marine Knowledge and Investment in the Directorate General for Maritime Affairs and Fisheries. She is responsible for developing and promoting strategic innovation of emerging marine and maritime technologies and solutions and ensuring broad dissemination of marine knowledge and research. The Unit fosters innovation and provides policy input to the EU’s research programme, Horizon Europe, and has the lead role in implementing the Mission Restore Our Ocean and Waters. It steers
the development of ocean observation and marine knowledge in the EU, with targeted support to EMODNET (European Marine Observation Data Network) and European Digital Twin of the Ocean. It aims to create a greater public understanding of the ocean resources and human influence on them through ocean literacy initiatives. It is also responsible for developing investments strategies for the blue economy through the BlueInvest business assistance platform and by mobilising private capital for clean tech in the blue economy. Prior to this position, Ms. Strachinescu was Head of Unit responsible for New Energy Technologies and Innovation in the Directorate General for Energy, European Commission, in charge with the development of policy and actions on non-nuclear energy research and innovation.

e-mail: magdalena-andreea.strachinescu-olteanu@ec.europa.eu

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