Blue Economy Science Summit 2026 (BESS)

The Blue Economy Science Summit (BESS) 2026 will take place on 6 October 2026 at the InnovOcean Campus in Ostend, Belgium, bringing together representatives from science, industry and policy to strengthen the connection between marine research and practical applications within the blue economy. The summit will focus on knowledge exchange, innovation, entrepreneurship and collaboration, with sessions covering data and digital twins, zero pollution, blue carbon, and floating offshore wind. Participants will also learn about innovation and funding mechanisms, including incubator and accelerator programmes, the Water Knowledge and Innovation Community, and future Mission Ocean Hubs. The event provides opportunities for networking and collaboration between researchers, businesses, policymakers and innovators. Participation is free of charge but registration is required.