UNIDO–WTCA Blue Economy Global Call 2026

30th September 2026 | Rome, Italy— The UNIDO–WTCA Blue Economy Global Call 2026 concluded with an award ceremony held as part of the Euro-Mediterranean Water Forum 2026, celebrating six innovative solutions selected for their potential to advance a more sustainable and inclusive Blue Economy.

The international initiative was implemented by UNIDO ITPO Italy — the Italian Investment and Technology Promotion Office of the United Nations Industrial Development Organization — in collaboration with the World Trade Centers Association (WTCA), bringing together innovators and stakeholders working across key areas of the Blue Economy. The 2026 edition attracted 300 applications from 85 countries, reflecting the growing international interest in innovative solutions addressing environmental sustainability, economic development and the responsible use of marine and freshwater resources.

Following a rigorous evaluation process, six winning solutions were selected across the initiative’s categories:

• Blue Renewable Energy: Shana Fatina, Founder & CEO of Komodo Water from Indonesia;
• Sustainable Blue Food: Luis Alberto Moreno Meléndez, CEO of Suplitutto Agrocomodities from Venezuela;
• Green Maritime Transport & Smart Ports: Fabio Bignolini, Co-Founder & CEO of Northern Light srl from Italy;
• Coastal & Marine Tourism & Recreation: Nermin Sena Özger, Founder & CEO of Nesea Bio-Material and Marine Technologies from Türkiye
• Sea, Lakes & River Health & Restoration: Yanik Nyberg, Co-Founder & CEO of NARA Climate Ltd from Scotland;
• Blue Tech & Biotechnology: Cha Wan Young, Founder & CEO of Marine Innovation Co. Ltd from South Korea.

The award ceremony provided an opportunity to recognize the six winners and showcase their innovative approaches to an international audience of public- and private-sector stakeholders, policymakers, industry representatives, investors, and other actors engaged in the development of the Blue Economy. The diversity of the selected solutions reflects the breadth of innovation taking place across the Blue Economy, from renewable energy and sustainable food systems to maritime transport, ecosystem restoration, tourism, and biotechnology.

Through the UNIDO–WTCA Blue Economy Global Call, UNIDO ITPO Italy and WTCA aim to strengthen the visibility of innovative solutions and facilitate connections between entrepreneurs, institutions, businesses, and other stakeholders that can support their development and potential scale-up. The 2026 edition further highlighted the importance of international cooperation and innovation in addressing shared challenges affecting oceans, seas, lakes and rivers, while creating new opportunities for sustainable economic activity and inclusive growth.