BLACK SEA 2030: Security, Resilience, Innovation
Second edition of the International Forum • 30 October 2026 • Burgas International Congress Centre
Register nowDate
30 October 2026
Venue
Burgas International Congress Centre
Edition
Second edition of the Forum
Organizers
Municipality of Burgas and ProspectiM Association
About the Forum
At a time when the Black Sea region stands at the crossroads of geopolitical, economic, technological and climate transformations, the Forum will bring together European leaders, representatives of international institutions, national and local authorities, financial institutions, business, academia, media, next generation leaders and innovators, to discuss a shared vision for the future of the region.
The Forum will explore security and resilience in their broadest sense – encompassing maritime and energy security, economic competitiveness, climate adaptation, critical infrastructure, regional connectivity and the transformative role of emerging technologies.
The Forum is organised within the implementation of the project Blue Gates BSB00189 – "Empowering Blue and Smart Transformation of the Black Sea Basin", co-funded by the European Union under the Interreg NEXT Black Sea Basin Programme 2021–2027.
Key Topics
Geopolitics & Maritime Security
Geopolitics, maritime security and regional resilience.
Energy Connectivity & Investments
Energy connectivity, transport corridors and strategic investments.
Climate & Environmental Security
Climate risks, adaptation of coastal communities and protection of the marine environment.
AI & Digital Twins
Artificial intelligence, digital twins and technologies for a sustainable future.
The European Ocean Pact
The European Ocean Pact and the future of the Black Sea.
Closing Dialogue
A special closing dialogue bringing together leaders, media representatives and young people to discuss the future of the region.
Expo Zone "Technologies for a Secure and Sustainable Black Sea"
Within the Forum, an expo zone will present innovative solutions in maritime security, environmental monitoring, the blue economy, artificial intelligence, digital twins, drones, energy connectivity, sustainable ports and climate adaptation.
Participation in the expo zone will give you the opportunity to present your solutions to a strategic audience, build new partnerships and become part of the shared vision for a secure, resilient and innovative Black Sea region by 2030.
Apply as an exhibitorProgramme
Draft programme
08:30 – 09:30
Welcome and registration
Coffee and Innovation Expo preview.
09:30 – 10:00
Official opening
10:00 – 10:55High-level dialogue
Security: The Black Sea in the New Security Architecture
- Rositsa Karamfilova-Blagova, Minister of Environment and Water
- Flotilla Admiral Prof. Kalin Kalinov, PhD, Rector of the Nikola Vaptsarov Naval Academy
- Gheorghe Constantin, Deputy General Director, General Directorate for Waters, Ministry of Environment, Waters and Forests of Romania
- Savvas Karafyllidis, Chair and Founder of the Bulgarian-Hellenic Chamber of Commerce and Industry
- Prof. Milen Baltov, PhD, Rector of Burgas Free University and Chair of the Marine Scientific Society
- James Morrison, Director, Directorate-General for Research and Innovation, European Commission
10:55 – 11:15
Networking
Coffee, media meetings and Expo live.
11:15 – 12:15Solutions dialogue 1
Resilience: From Strategic Vision to Concrete Projects for the Black Sea Region
- Vesna Baltina, Deputy Mayor of Burgas Municipality
- Ina Agafonova, Chair of the Management Board of the Via Pontica Foundation
- Assoc. Prof. Ilian Gospodinov, PhD, Director-General of the National Institute of Meteorology and Hydrology (NIMH)
- Elisabetta Balzi, Senior Expert, Directorate-General for Research and Innovation, European Commission
- Prof. Annemie Wyckmans, Head of NTNU Smart Sustainable Cities, Norwegian University of Science and Technology (NTNU)
- Liane Girier-Dufournier, Expert, Resilience and Climate Adaptation, ICLEI
- George Kremlis, Honorary Director of the European Commission, Director of the EPLO Institute for Climate, Environment, Energy and Circular Economy, and EPLO Ambassador to Bulgaria
12:15 – 12:30
Protocol and technical break
Arrival of the European Commissioner.
12:30 – 13:30Solutions dialogue 2
Innovation: Technologies for a Secure and Resilient Black Sea Region
- Ekaterina Zaharieva, European Commissioner for Startups, Research and Innovation
- Ivan Vasilev, Minister of Innovation and Digital Transformation (tbc)
- Raycho Raychev, Founder and CEO of EnduroSat and Ambassador of the European Innovation Council
- Prof. Stelian Dimitrov, PhD, Vice-Rector for Research, Research Projects and Information Activities at Sofia University St. Kliment Ohridski
- Prof. Sotir Sotirov, PhD, Rector of Prof. Dr Assen Zlatarov University
- Dimitar Enchev, Co-founder of Helios Marine and CWP
- Gordon Campbell, Head of Resilience and Competitiveness Section, Directorate of Earth Observation Programmes, European Space Agency (ESA)
13:30 – 14:20
Innovation Expo tour
Short demonstrations at selected stands and presentations of university and business projects. Lunch and networking.
14:20 – 15:10Future perspective
Black Sea 2030: Demography, Identity and the Future Choices of Young People
14:20 – 15:10Future voices
Black Sea 2030: The Next Generation’s Perspective
Students, young researchers and entrepreneurs from Burgas Free University, Prof. Dr Assen Zlatarov University, Sofia University and partner initiatives.
15:10 – 15:30Key messages
The Road to Black Sea 2030
Official opening of the Marine Scientific Society conference. Acknowledgements and group photo.
15:30+
Networking
Expo area, B2B and media meetings.
