In recent times, concepts such as blue economy, green economy and ocean economy have been circulating in the global development institutions. Capital is flowing into new industries and the ocean is supposed to boost growth in the West and fight poverty in the South. At the same time, the world’s oceans and fish stocks are in worse shape than ever. For people on the coasts of the South, this is a matter of survival.

As competition for the sea increases and more needs to be protected, their space for livelihoods is shrinking. ‘Ocean grabbing’ on the one hand, global agreement on protection on the other. Can we protect the ocean while using it for food and economic purposes? Who wins – coastal people, governments, businesses, the environment? Or all of them? What role does Swedish aid play in the fair and sustainable development of coasts and seas, and what are its effects? Does it promote Swedish interests? What do we know and what knowledge do we need?

In the discussion, speakers will deepen our understanding of the economy of the sea, the effects of aid and the knowledge that is needed with concrete examples from cooperation and aid efforts.