From Organized by Fira Barcelona with the Port de Barcelona as Global Partner, and in collaboration with the World Ocean Council (WOC) and OCEANOVATION, the Tomorrow.Blue Economy World Congress (TBEWC) will take place from November 3 to 5, 2026, at the Gran Via Venue in Barcelona.
Co-located with the Smart City Expo World Congress – the world’s leading event on urban innovation – the platform places the ocean economy at the center of global conversations on cities, infrastructure, and climate innovation, overcoming political and financial barriers to build resilient coastal cities and waterfronts.
The congress will be structured around key flagship programmes, integrating high-level conferences, exhibition areas, and scientific peer-review sessions to analyze the value chain of port ecological transition, maritime digitalization, and biodiversity protection:
Global Blue Finance Summit (BlueFIN)
Curated entirely by the World Ocean Council, this summit will examine capital flows and financial models to close the sector’s funding gap. Working groups will analyze the real-world effectiveness of blended finance strategies, mechanisms to transform political signals into a credible pipeline of investable ocean projects, and investment insights for the next five years. Special sessions will explore risk management through innovative insurance products for coastal infrastructure and interactive solution-oriented workshops to unlock international markets.
Smart Ports: Piers of the Future
Coordinated by the Port de Barcelona, this section serves as a global stage for pioneering port authorities committed to port-city integration, decarbonization, and logistics automation. Panels will analyze the outcomes of open innovation initiatives such as the New Latitude and Lighthouse programmes (managed by BlueTechPort), exploring how to convert legacy infrastructure into smart ecosystems and structure strategic investments for long-term economic return. A key highlight will be the presentation of the Barcelona Manifesto, a global roadmap designed to promote science- and data-based solutions for coastal urban resilience against socio-economic and territorial risks.
Sustainable Ocean Summit (SOS) & OCEANOVATION Hub
The Sustainable Ocean Summit will stand as the premier global forum for regenerative ocean industry leadership, bringing together CEOs, policymakers, and sustainability experts to align business growth with ocean stewardship. Concurrently, the OCEANOVATION Hub (Ocean Innovation Showcase) will serve as a vibrant platform for breakthrough startups, featuring fast-paced pitch showcases focusing on artificial intelligence, port electrification, water quality monitoring, and marine renewable energy solutions.
The congress is tailored for urban planners, port and municipal authorities, institutional investors, blue finance fund managers, environmental scientists, civil engineers, IT programmers, and global policymakers.
More Information
https://www.tomorrowblueconomy.com/