Blue Economy is a trending policy field. All around the world, individual States, UN and regional organizations are initiating meetings on Blue Economy, Blue Growth, Ocean’s Economy or Maritime Economy. Although Blue Economy is still being developed as a concept, policy makers and leaders seem to see the urgency to pay more in-depth attention to our oceans. How can we apply our Green Economy to a Blue World?

The Clingendael Institute is house to renowned experts in the fields of economic diplomacy, maritime security, climate change, water issues and sustainable development. This expertise combined with skills training, case studies and expert meetings with practitioners in the field results in a new upcoming training programme. Financed by the Netherlands Ministry of Foreign Affairs, a group of 37 mid-career diplomats from the Small Island Developing States (SIDS) will travel to The Hague from 26 April till 4 May - a group who has never been trained by Clingendael before.

What is Blue Economy?
For many, Blue Economy means unlocking the vast economic potential of the oceans. National Blue Economy strategies typically cover sectors of aquaculture, marine transport (covering 80% of global trade) and manufacturing, offshore oil and gas and tourism. Focus also lays on difficulties of water scarcities and sea level rises. Fuelling the Ocean’s Economy in a sustainable way is vital, particularly in light of climate change.

Maritime security is an important component of Blue Economy. Maritime Security – unlike most other forms of security – has a strong economic driver. How to ensure that the oceans, seas, internal waters and harbours are safe, open and secure for trade and commerce to flourish.

Why this training?
Successful Blue Economy strategies are preconditioned by two factors: (1) extensive and comprehensive knowledge across the scope of Blue Economy topics and (2) understanding and adopting the main governance principles (UN-based) of Blue Economy, which are:

• Holistic and long-term in character;
• Cross-sectoral (public-private partnerships)
• Breakdown of silos, hierarchy and bureaucracy
• Innovative and proactive ( the “Solut-ing” approach)

Programme Blue Economy for SIDS
This training at Clingendael in the Netherlands will allow the participants to be exposed to a variety of experts, practitioners and thinkers regarding the Blue Economy. New perspectives, ways of thinking will be shared, and obstacles in implementation and inspiring ideas for innovations will be discussed.

Contributions of experts and workshops / simulations are combined. This includes:

• Maritime Relations:  Legal aspects of the use of the oceans and Settlements of Disputes. Meeting with arbiter of the Permanent Court of Arbitration (PCA) and working visit to the Peace Palace;
• Trade Relations: the role of SIDS diplomats in promoting trade over oceans. Lectures and working visit to the Port of Rotterdam (largest in Europe);
• Branding techniques: the opportunities of Blue Economy for tourism;
• Multilateral negotiation skills for sustainable development
• Energy and the potential and effects of offshore exploration.

Also interested?
Interested in setting up a Blue Economy programme with us? Or do you have ideas for contributions to our SIDS programme? Please do not hesitate to contact us. For more information about Clingendael Academy courses, please visit our webpage.