OCEAN WEEK 2026: 2027, THE EU’S DEFINING YEAR FOR THE OCEAN Moving an ambitious Ocean Act forward

OCEAN WEEK 2026:
2027, THE EU’S DEFINING YEAR FOR THE OCEAN

Moving an ambitious Ocean Act forward

Hosted by MEP Christophe Clergeau, SEArica Chair

Organised with the support of the Conference of Peripheral Maritime Regions

WEDNESDAY 30 SEPTEMBER 2026 – 18:00 to 20:00

European Parliament, Room SPINELLI 3G2, Brussels

Since the publication of the Ocean Pact in June 2025, the European Union has moved forward with key strategies and announcements for its Ocean Policy. The announcement of the Ocean Eye, the publication of the Maritime Industrial Strategy, EU Ports Strategy, Strategies for Islands, for Coastal Communities, and for Outermost Regions, Vision 2040 for Fisheries and Aquaculture, Ocean R&I Strategy, and the proposed new financial architecture for the 2028-2034 MFF have all contributed to making 2026 a keystone year. The European Ocean Act can now finalise this ambition. Its expected publication in December 2026 will mark the end of this first phase of implementing the Pact and the start of legislative work on what has been framed as the cornerstone legislation for the future of EU ocean action.

This SEArica high-level Event within the context of the Ocean Week 2026 will serve as a major moment for discussing the way forward, as we seek to make 2027 a defining year for finalising and implementing the ambitions and objectives of the Ocean Pact.