The Minister of the Sea, Marta Villaverde, attended the presentation of the first edition of the FARO Summit 2026 – Future Alliance for Resilient Oceans at the Parador de Baiona. This international event, promoted by the Concello de Baiona and the Port Authority of Vigo, will take place on November 19 and 20.
The summit will bring together experts, the scientific community, port managers, and industry to discuss the future and sustainability of the oceans. During her speech, Villaverde highlighted Galicia's strategic role as the European Union's leading fishing power. The Galician community accounts for nearly half of the Spanish fleet and leads a maritime-industrial chain that generates around 9 billion euros annually and creates thousands of jobs.
The minister, accompanied by the local mayor, Jesús Vázquez Almuíña, and the president of the Port Authority of Vigo, Carlos Botana, noted that this event coincides with the tenth anniversary of Vigo's Blue Growth strategy. Villaverde emphasized that "from the Galician Government, we are absolutely clear that environmental sustainability is only lasting and real if it advances hand in hand with economic viability and social justice".
The head of the Ministry of the Sea stressed the importance of such initiatives in applying innovation and energy transition to benefit fishing guilds, ports, and seafarers. She assured that "from the Ministry of the Sea, we will continue working so that Galicia continues to set the course for the blue economy in Europe".
