BLACK SEA 2030: SECURITY, RESILIENCE, INNOVATION
Ladies and Gentlemen,
Save the date: 30 October 2026, for the second edition of the International Forum “Black Sea 2030: Security, Sustainability, Innovation”, to be held at the International Congress Centre in Burgas.
The forum is organised as part of the implementation of the Blue Gates BSB00189 project – “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.
The forum will feature an exhibition area entitled “Technologies for a Secure and Sustainable Black Sea”, showcasing innovative solutions in maritime security, environmental monitoring, the blue economy, artificial intelligence, digital twins, drones, energy connectivity, sustainable ports and climate adaptation.
The forum will bring together representatives of European institutions, national and local authorities, international organisations, businesses, academia, the media and young innovators. Participating in the exhibition area will give you the opportunity to present your solutions to a strategic audience, establish new partnerships and contribute to a shared vision for a secure, sustainable and innovative Black Sea region by 2030.
We welcome expressions of interest in participating as an exhibitor.
We look forward to welcoming you to Burgas!
Organisers of BLACK SEA 2030
Burgas Municipality
ProspektiM Association
DRAFT PROGRAMME
08:30 - 09:30 REGISTRATION, COFFEE AND VISITS TO THE EXHIBITION AREA
Format: Welcoming participants, informal networking, initial meetings with exhibitors and demonstrations.
09:30 - 09:40 OFFICIAL OPENING
Dimitar Nikolov, Mayor of Burgas Municipality
Ekaterina Zaharieva, European Commissioner for Startups, Research and Innovation
09:40 - 10:00 OPENING KEYNOTE ADDRESS
THE NEW REALITY IN THE BLACK SEA REGION: SECURITY, SUSTAINABILITY AND COMPETITIVENESS BY 2030
Invitation to Ms Kristalina Georgieva, Managing Director of the International Monetary Fund, to present the global perspective (possible topic: “The Black Sea Region in a Changing Global Economy: Opportunities for Sustainable Growth, Connectivity and Innovation”).
Possible areas of focus:
• economic resilience amid global uncertainty;
• investment in infrastructure and connectivity;
• the role of education and skills;
• artificial intelligence and the future of work;
• prospects for the Black Sea region as a bridge between Europe, the Caucasus and Central Asia.
10:00 - 10:45 HIGH-LEVEL STRATEGIC PANEL: THE BLACK SEA IN THE NEW SECURITY ARCHITECTURE
Key questions:
• What does security in the Black Sea region mean after 2022?
• How can the EU, its Member States and partners build a more resilient regional approach?
• How are maritime, energy, economic, climate and digital security interconnected?
• What is the role of Burgas as a regional hub for dialogue, policy and innovation?
Invited participants:
• Yordanka Chobanova, Head of the European Commission Representation in Bulgaria;
• Aleksandar Pulev, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Economy, Investment and Industry;
• Admiral Prof. Dr Kalin Kalinov, Head of the Nikola Vaptsarov Naval Academy;
• Representative of the Organization of the Black Sea Economic Cooperation (BSEC).
10:45 - 11:00 OFFICIAL OPENING OF THE EXHIBITION AREA “TECHNOLOGIES FOR A SECURE AND SUSTAINABLE BLACK SEA”
11:00 - 11:45 PANEL I: TECHNOLOGIES AND INNOVATION FOR A SECURE AND SUSTAINABLE BLACK SEA
Key topics:
• artificial intelligence and data analytics;
• digital twins of coastal and marine systems;
• satellite observation and space data;
• maritime drones and autonomous systems;
• technologies for monitoring the marine environment;
• innovation for ports, cities and critical infrastructure.
Invited participants:
• Raycho Raychev, Founder and CEO, EnduroSat (keynote speaker);
• Ivan Vasilev, Minister of Innovation and Digital Transformation;
• Prof. Dr Sotir Sotirov, Rector of Burgas State University “Prof. Dr Asen Zlatarov”;
• Elisabetta Balzi, Active Senior, Directorate-General for Research and Innovation, European Commission;
• Representative of the Black Sea Assistance Mechanism / Common Maritime Agenda.
11:45 - 12:30 PANEL II: ECONOMIC SECURITY, ENERGY CONNECTIVITY AND TRANSPORT CORRIDORS
Key topics:
• energy diversification and sustainable energy systems;
• ports, logistics and transport corridors;
• TEN-T, Global Gateway and strategic investment;
• modernisation of port and industrial infrastructure;
• the blue economy, competitiveness and new value chains.
Invited participants:
• Iva Petrova, Minister of Energy;
• Georgi Peev, Minister of Transport and Communications;
• Representative of a Black Sea port / port infrastructure / Maritime Administration;
• Prof. Dr Milen Baltov, Rector of Burgas Free University, member of the European Ocean Board and Bulgaria’s representative on the European Innovation Council;
• Representative of the World Bank.
12:30 - 13:15 LUNCH BREAK, EXHIBITION VISITS AND B2B MEETINGS
13:15 - 13:30 SPECIAL KEYNOTE ADDRESS
THE EUROPEAN OCEAN PACT AND THE FUTURE OF THE BLACK SEA
• Charlina Vitcheva, Director-General of the European Commission’s Directorate-General for Maritime Affairs and Fisheries.
13:30 - 14:15 PANEL III: CLIMATE AND ENVIRONMENTAL SECURITY: THE FUTURE OF THE BLACK SEA
Key topics:
• climate risks and adaptation of coastal communities;
• marine pollution and water quality;
• biodiversity conservation;
• sustainable tourism and natural capital;
• insurance, financing and risk management;
• the link between environmental security and economic development.
Invited participants:
• Rositsa Karamfilova-Blagova, Minister of Environment and Water;
• Adrian Stănică, General Director of the National Institute for Research and Development on Marine Geology and Geo-ecology – GeoEcoMar;
• Assoc. Prof. Dr Stelian Dimitrov, Head of the Department of Geospatial Systems and Technologies and Director of the National Centre for Geospatial Research and Technologies, Sofia University “St. Kliment Ohridski”;
• George Kremlis, Honorary Director of the European Commission and Director of the Institute of Climate and Circular Economy at the European Public Law Organization.
14:20 - 15:10 DIALOGUE WITH FUTURE LEADERS
Black Sea 2030: What kind of future do we want to leave to the next generation?
Format: Dialogue between leaders, young people, the media, entrepreneurs and scientists.
Partners: Burgas Free University, Burgas State University, Sofia University, public service media (Bulgarian National Radio, Bulgarian National Television and Bulgarian News Agency).
Key questions:
• What does security mean to young people in the Black Sea region?
• Which technologies can truly transform the region by 2030?
• How can Burgas become a place where policy, science and business meet?
• Which three priorities should emerge as the forum’s key messages?
The final session includes audience questions collected in advance via a QR code and proposals for the “top three messages of the forum”.
15:10 - 15:30 CLOSING PANEL
• The road to Black Sea 2030 – key messages from the forum;
• Opening of the “Sea” Scientific Conference – in partnership with the Marine Scientific Society.
15:30 Tasting of local wines and culinary specialities