On 5 and 6 June, the Institut Méditerranéen du Risque, de l'Environnement et du Développement Durable (IMREDD) at the Université Côte d'Azur hosted a major international event organised as part of the United Nations Conference on the Oceans 2025 (UNOC 2025). Entitled «ONE HEALTH: Well-being and sustainability in the blue economy», this official UNOC-certified event, co-organised with the Research Centre for Advanced Technologies for Health and Well-being at the San Raffaele University Hospital in Milan, marked an important step in strengthening cooperation between France, Monaco and Italy in the field of innovation for the blue economy.

A strong institutional commitment

Supported by the Consulate General of Italy in Nice, the Alpes-Maritimes department, the Nice Côte d'Azur metropolitan authority, the city of Nice and the Autonomous Region of Sardinia, the event brought together a number of personalities involved in cross-border cooperation, including :

• Emilio LOLLI, Consul General of Italy in Nice
• Laurence NAVALESI, Deputy Mayor of Nice with responsibility for cross-border relations
• Cécile SABOURAULT, Vice-President, International Relations, Université Côte d'Azur

Their speeches underlined the importance of a coordinated, transnational approach to meeting the environmental, economic and health challenges facing the Mediterranean, and making the blue economy a lever for sustainable, shared transition.

A transnational innovation ecosystem for the blue economy

The «ONE HEALTH: Wellbeing and Sustainability in the Blue Economy» programme is the result of collaboration between IMREDD, the San Raffaele University Hospital in Milan and the Consorzio Industriale Provinciale Nord-Est Sardegna (CIPNES Gallura). Launched in 2024 at the Fiera Nautica di Sardegna, this programme aims to create an integrated ecosystem of technological innovation based on industrial partnerships and research projects. It contributes to the structuring of an international network mobilised to meet the major challenges of the blue economy and promote the emergence of more sustainable, responsible and health-promoting lifestyles.

A dynamic B2B format to encourage concrete synergies

The event brought together 34 companies, start-ups and research laboratories from France, Monaco and Italy in a dynamic B2B format that encouraged networking, targeted meetings and the development of joint projects. Pitch sessions, meetings to put people in touch with each other and networking opportunities gave rise to concrete prospects for industrial collaboration and the creation of consortia to respond to calls for projects.

Participants were also able to test a technology available at IMREDD: AWABOT, a telepresence robot enabling a remote speaker to interact in real time and explore the site as if he or she were physically present.

Highlight: the Blue Innovation Awards

The highlight of the two-day event was the Blue Innovation Awards, which honoured seven outstanding initiatives for their impact, originality and contribution to a sustainable blue economy. The 2025 winners are :

• Technological innovation for the sea : WSENSE
• Marine biotechnology and health : INNOV&SEA
• Circular economy, marine waste management & eco-design : 2IDEM
• Marine ecotourism & green mobility : SEAZEN
• Water management solutions : BLUE GOLD
• Social impact & marine regeneration : OGYRE
• ONE HEALTH Special Prize: Well-being and sustainability in the blue economy« : ALGAE SCOPE

These awards reflect the diversity and dynamism of the Euro-Mediterranean ecosystem of innovation serving marine and ocean issues.

A lever for growth and cooperation

In partnership with the Autonomous Region of Sardinia, CIPNES Gallura presented concrete funding schemes for organisations wishing to set up or expand in Sardinia. Targeted actions are already planned to strengthen the internationalisation of Sardinian companies and promote exchanges with their French, Italian and Monegasque counterparts.

Towards a sustainable alliance in the Mediterranean

More than just a forum for reflection, this event laid the foundations for long-term operational cooperation, placing territorial collaboration, technology and innovation at the heart of the protection of marine ecosystems and the well-being of local populations. A key event for all those involved in the blue economy in the Mediterranean.

Outlook

A monitoring indicator will be set up after six months to measure the number of industrial collaborations, partnerships and consortiums created in response to calls for projects, as well as the economic activities generated by the event.

The future dynamic will be based on two key events: the Fiera Nautica di Sardegna and the Nice event, which will be renewed in the coming years and opened up to international players in the blue economy.

Collective support for a shared Mediterranean vision

Organised by IMREDD and the Research Centre for Advanced Technologies for Health and Wellbeing at the San Raffaele University Hospital in Milan, the event was supported by a number of institutional partners: the Consulate General of Italy in Nice, the Alpes-Maritimes Department, the Nice Côte d'Azur Metropolitan Area, the City of Nice, the Autonomous Region of Sardinia, the Ocean Rise & Coastal Resilience Coalition, CIPNES Gallura, the Nice Côte d'Azur Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Team Nice Côte d'Azur, and EU.TOPIA. The organisers warmly thank all the contributors for their essential role in the success and visibility of this initiative.