On 23 and 24 December 2025, Ukraine held the “Blue Skills seminar for a sustainable future” in Odesa and Mykolaiv. Despite the challenging context caused by the war of aggression against Ukraine, the two-day seminar brought together more than 65 participants from educational institutions, research organisations, NGOs, national authorities and international networks. This diverse community of stakeholders remains committed to advancing Ukraine’s blue economy and strengthening regional cooperation, knowledge exchange and capacity‑building in support of the CMA for the Black Sea.
The event combined presentations, insights, field visits and thematic discussions. The opening session introduced participants to the goals of regional development, environmental sustainability and innovation through cooperation between Black Sea countries. Speakers presented national initiatives in maritime research and development, including the emerging National Marine Infrastructure Consortium, highlighting the need to reinforce Ukraine’s scientific and monitoring capabilities. Subsequent presentations focused on environmental monitoring, marine spatial planning and the blue skills.
Participants continued the seminar with field visits to the Ukrainian Scientific Centre of Ecology of the Sea and Kuyalnytskyi National Nature Park, where they learned about ongoing work in marine monitoring, coastal ecosystem restoration and the sustainable management of protected areas. These visits provided first‑hand insight into the environmental challenges facing the Black Sea region and the practical measures being implemented to address them.
The second day was in the Petro Mohyla Black Sea National University in Mykolaiv, where representatives from academia, national authorities, and NGOs gathered for plenary sessions on the development of Ukraine’s blue economy. Discussions covered aquaculture, fisheries, marine research infrastructure, maritime transport safety, marine energy, pollution response and sustainable tourism. Experts emphasised the strategic importance of enhancing blue skills across sectors, presenting current projects and exploring new pathways for collaboration with European institutions.
Speakers showcased models for developing the aquaculture market, approaches to restoring ecosystems damaged by hostilities and digital tools for improving environmental data collection. The war’s impact on the Black Sea, including oil spills and coastal degradation, was evaluated through scientific assessments and proposals for international cooperation. Participants also emphasised the value of educational programmes and interdisciplinary research groups in equipping future professionals with the skills needed for sustainable blue development.
Ukraine’s two-day event concluded with a shared recognition of the importance of continued regional cooperation, innovation and evidence‑based policymaking. Participants agreed that strengthening blue skills is essential not only for Ukraine’s economic recovery but also for the long‑term environmental health of the Black Sea. The seminar successfully laid the foundations for new project ideas and future cooperation under the CMA framework, reinforcing Ukraine’s commitment to a sustainable and resilient blue economy.