Countries like ours, with such vast marine wealth, should make use of the sea, the technologies offered in relation to it in the context of a sustainable economic development. This was the important conclusion drawn in the context of the Regional Growth Conference organized by Peloponnisos newspaper at the Conference and Cultural Center of the University of Patras.
“The development, protection and regeneration of marine ecosystems is a critical policy priority for Greece, which holds a leading position in tourism, shipping and other activities, which makes the Greek economy fully interdependent on the marine ecosystem,” he said. the president of the Economic Chamber B.D. of Peloponnese and Western Greece Giorgos Papas.
An example to be followed of good practices, friendly to the environment, is the Mayor of Astypalaia, Nikolaos Komineas, who participated in the meeting emphasizing the following: “The new model that will help to change the situation is for the information to come to the local communities, which will they have the right to decide”.
The meeting was also attended by: o Professor of Regional Economic Analysis, Panteion University Ioannis Psycharis, o Professor of the University of Patras Giorgos Papatheodorou, Executive Director, Athanasios K. Laskaridis Foundation Angeliki Kosmopoulou, while the coordination was carried out by the Director, Data Consultants Theodora Tsokou.
#Blue #economy #Designing #holistic #policy #approach #tackling #climate #change
How can national policies be crafted to better support local initiatives in sustainable economic development related to marine wealth?
**Interview with Giorgos Papas, President of the Economic Chamber of Peloponnese and Western Greece**
**Editor:** Thank you for joining us, Mr. Papas. At the recent Regional Growth Conference, you emphasized the importance of sustainable economic development in relation to Greece’s marine wealth. Can you elaborate on how you envision this development taking shape in our country?
**Giorgos Papas:** Certainly. Greece is blessed with rich marine resources that are crucial not only to our economy but also to our cultural identity. The challenge lies in developing these resources sustainably. We need to focus on protecting marine ecosystems while utilizing them to foster industries like tourism and shipping.
**Editor:** The Mayor of Astypalaia, Nikolaos Komineas, spoke about empowering local communities to make decisions regarding marine resource management. How do you see the balance between local authority and national policy in this context?
**Giorgos Papas:** It’s about collaboration. Local communities are the frontline stakeholders in the use and preservation of marine resources. When they are equipped with information and the authority to make decisions, we can foster innovative solutions that are environmentally friendly and economically viable. National policies should support and enhance these local initiatives, creating tailored approaches based on the unique needs of each region.
**Editor:** The integration of technology in managing our marine wealth was highlighted at the conference. How crucial do you think technological advancements are in driving this sustainable approach?
**Giorgos Papas:** Technology is vital. It provides us with the tools to monitor and manage marine ecosystems effectively. With advancements like AI and data analytics, we can assess the health of our oceans, predict changes, and make informed decisions about resource allocation. This is essential for ensuring a balance between economic development and environmental protection.
**Editor:** As we discuss these important issues, I want to pose a question to our readers: Are we doing enough to balance economic development with the urgent need to protect our marine ecosystems? Can local communities truly lead the charge in sustainable practices, or is national policy needed to guide them? We invite you to share your thoughts and engage in this critical debate.
