Black Sea 2030 International Forum Held in Burgas

Filip Pavlov, BTA correspondent Stanimir Dimitrov

Black Sea 2030: Partnership for a Sustainable Future International Forum in Burgas, October 24, 2025 (BTA Photo/Hristo Stefanov)

Burgas, on the Black Sea,

24.10.2025 17:25

(BTA)

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Burgas hosted the Black Sea 2030: Partnership for a Sustainable Future International Forum on Friday. It brought together representatives of national and local authorities, European institutions, academia, business and non-governmental organizations from the Black Sea region, focussing on the sustainable development of the region, the green transition, marine environment protection, climate change adaptation, digitalization and innovations in the blue economy.

"The Black Sea region needs bold ideas and responsible solutions, as well as technologies that do not destroy but restore and policies that not only adapt but also transform," Bulgarian Energy Minister Zhecho Stankov said in a video address to the forum. Stankov emphasized that the Black Sea region is not just a geographical space but an area where economy, energy, transport, culture and environment are intertwined. The Minister argued that the region should be viewed as "a centre of opportunities, where Europe meets Asia, innovation meets nature, and sustainable development meets the real needs of people".

Tourism Minister Miroslav Borshosh stressed that the tourism sector must be aligned with sustainable development and environmental protection. If real actions are not taken to protect the sea and the coast, future generations will inherit a risky and difficult-to-manage environment, he stressed, adding that tourism is a key driver of the regional economy, but in order to be sustainable, it must be integrated into the blue and green economies.

Regional cooperation between the Black Sea countries is key to achieving sustainable management and protection of the Black Sea Region, Environment and Water Minister Manol Genov stated. “Only through close coordination and partnership between institutions, local authorities, businesses, the non-governmental sector, academic communities, and citizens can sustainability in the management and protection of the Black Sea Region be achieved,” Genov stressed.

Science and innovation can support the sustainable development of the Black Sea Region and the balance between security, growth and climate action in the region, Ekaterina Zaharieva, European Commissioner for Startups, Research and Innovation, pointed out in a video address. "The topic that brought us together today is not just rational, but strategic. Because the future of the Black Sea Region is part of the future of Europe. Every time we talk about the Black Sea, we talk both locally and strategically. We talk about many things, from tourism and the environment, through energy, to security and defense. Finding a balance between all of them is not an easy task", she stated, adding that science and innovation are not a panacea, but they can help a lot for this balance.

Charlina Vitcheva, Director-General for Maritime Affairs and Fisheries at the European Commission, presented the European Ocean Pact as a key initiative for sustainable management of the seas and oceans during the forum. "We discussed this pact a few months ago with representatives of local authorities, business communities, mayors. The pact was presented at the UN Ocean Conference in Nice, France and was one of the most attractive proposals. This proposal was presented by the President of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, and the President of the European Council, Antonio Costa," Vitcheva recalled.

Burgas Municipality is looking for ways to develop the city as a city of innovation, science, knowledge and young people, Burgas Mayor Dimitar Nikolov noted. He said that although Burgas Region is located on the periphery of the European Union and is directly affected by the consequences of the war in the northwestern part of the Black Sea, the residents of Burgas do not give up living, creating and developing there. "We (continue to) find the reason to live here, to create and develop," the mayor said, pointing out that it is through such forums that institutions, business, universities and the non-governmental sector find a common platform for implementing good ideas in the region.

Burgas State University with its laboratories and specialists is one of the leaders in areas such as blue, circular and green economy, Rector Prof. Sotir Sotirov emphasized. He said that sustainable development, innovation and technological progress are unthinkable without the involvement of universities. "These things cannot happen without universities, which provide young people and qualified personnel who do science, create technologies and offer solutions," the rector pointed out.

The Black Sea 2030: Partnership for a Sustainable Future International Forum is organized by Burgas Municipality, in partnership with the ProspectiM Association and with the support of the scientific community, maritime business and the non-governmental sector. It focused on the green transition, the protection of the marine and coastal environment, digitalization and the promotion of innovations in the blue economy. The goal of the forum is to create a platform for visionary ideas and the exchange of good practices.

/NF/