Seas, oceans and inland waters play a central role in the preservation of critical ecosystems, climate- related dynamics, biodiversity, energy efficiency, as well as for the provision of food, renewable energy and the need of the industry. Water scarcity, water quality, sustainable fishing, water and wastewater treatment, ocean preservation, marine and freshwater ecosystems management, critical raw materials, circular economy, just to name a few, are all topics of growing concern.

The need for sustainable and coherent political initiatives at all levels to tackle these challenges, calls for a much more innovative public-private and cross-sector cooperation. Innovation and technology play a critical role in scarcity and safety, water efficiency, ocean conservation, utility operations, monitoring and treatment and data and analytics. We live in an age of unprecedented technological innovation, and new technologies abound in the waters and ocean fields, but their adoption is too slow.

The European Parliament is considering that the European Institute of Innovation and Technology (EIT) is the right instrument at EU level to enhance the cross-border, multi-disciplinary collaboration and to fully exploit the potential of the knowledge triangle in the water, marine and maritime sectors. A Water KIC, with a holistic and integrated approach, has all the elements to help address the major economic, environmental and societal challenges. Waters and ocean-related fields have a strong knowledge base and high market potential.

This workshop will present the preliminary findings of the study that provides essential insights for the establishment of WaterKIC and its alignment with EU climate goals. It aims to inform policy makers about the establishment of the WaterKIC, reinforce the case of strengthening the network of stakeholders active in these fields, and ultimately contribute to the Commission's ongoing work.

Programme

14:00 - 14:10 Welcome

• Christian EHLER, MEP and STOA Chair

14:10 - 14:20 The Water KIC in the EIT Strategic Innovation Agenda for 2021-2027

• Pernille WEISS, MEP and STOA Panel member
  

14:20 - 14:50 Presentation of the study

• Siri Granum CARSON, Norwegian University of Science and Technology
• Richard SEMPERE, Aix Marseille University (video message)
• Sveinung SÆGROV, Norwegian University of Science and Technology

14:50 - 15:00 Introduction by the moderator of Panel 1

• Siri Granum CARSON, Norwegian University of Science and Technology

15:00 - 15:45 Panel 1: Building innovation ecosysyems

• Manuel IRUN MOLINA, EIT Liaison Officer, Head of Public & Community Affairs section
  
• Luca PEREGO, Head of Unit 'Innovation and EIT', DG Education and Culture, European Commission
• Richard ZALTZMAN, CEO, EIT Food

Q&A session

15:45 - 15:55 Break

15:55 - 16:05 Introduction by the moderator of Panel 2

• Sveinung SÆGROV, Norwegian University of Science and Technology

16:05 - 16:50 Panel 2: Attracting private investment for education and innovation

• Durk KROL, Executive Director, Water Europe
• Kestutis SADAUSKAS, Deputy Director-General Maritime Affairs and Fisheries in charge of Mission Ocean, European Commission
• Margherita CAPPELLETTO, Coordinator, Sustainable Blue Economy Partnership
• Joaquim POÇAS MARTINS, University of Porto

Q&A session

16:50 - 17:00 Closing remarks

• Pernille WEISS, MEP and STOA Panel member
  
  

The event will be held in English only, without interpretation.