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 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, Public Benefit Foundation Athanasios K. Laskaridis Angeliki Kosmopoulou while the coordination was done by the Director, Data Consultants Theodora Tsokou.
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How can local governments and communities effectively collaborate to implement sustainable marine policies that support both economic growth and environmental protection?
**Interview with Giorgos Papas, President of the Economic Chamber of Peloponnese and Western Greece**
**Interviewer:** Giorgos, at the recent Regional Growth Conference, you emphasized the importance of developing, protecting, and regenerating marine ecosystems. Can you elaborate on why this is critical for Greece’s economy?
**Giorgos Papas:** Absolutely. Greece has a unique marine wealth that is fundamental to our economy, particularly through tourism and shipping industries. Our growth is interconnected with the health of our marine ecosystems. If we want to continue benefiting from these resources sustainably, we need to prioritize their regeneration and protection.
**Interviewer:** You also mentioned the role of local communities in this process. How do you see community involvement shaping marine policies?
**Giorgos Papas:** Engaging local communities is essential. They are the frontline stewards of our marine environments. By empowering them with information and decision-making authority, we create a model that aligns economic development with ecological sustainability. This could be a game changer in how we manage our marine resources.
**Interviewer:** One of the notable attendees of the conference was Nikolaos Komineas, the Mayor of Astypalaia, who talked about good practices for local governance. Can you tell us more about these practices?
**Giorgos Papas:** Mayor Komineas highlighted an innovative approach where local governments actively participate in environmental decision-making. His success on Astypalaia serves as a blueprint for other regions, showing that localized strategies can effectively address environmental challenges while boosting local economies.
**Interviewer:** As we look towards sustainable development, what challenges do you foresee in implementing these policies?
**Giorgos Papas:** There are several challenges. First, there’s the need for adequate funding and resources to support sustainable initiatives. Second, we must overcome bureaucratic hurdles that can stifle local efforts. societal attitudes toward marine conservation need to shift towards recognizing its importance for long-term economic viability.
**Interviewer:** Many people are keen to discuss how sustainable practices can also tackle climate change. What do you think could be the outcome if we develop a holistic policy approach to the blue economy?
**Giorgos Papas:** A holistic approach could lead to policies that integrate economic incentives with environmental protection. This would not only mitigate climate change impacts but can also drive innovation in green technologies and create new job opportunities in sustainable industries. It’s a win-win situation that benefits both the economy and the planet.
**Interviewer:** That’s certainly a hopeful perspective. To our readers, we ask: How can local communities balance economic growth with the urgent need to protect marine ecosystems? What role do you think government and private sectors should play in this collaborative effort?
**Giorgos Papas:** Those are vital questions for us all to ponder. Engaging in this dialog is crucial as we move forward.
