Spanning four distinct macro-sessions, this institutional journey gathers local and regional authorities, European policymakers, international innovators, and industry experts to address crucial challenges: from the green and digital transition of tourism to combating aquatic pollution and fostering global circular economy alliances.
Key Structural Sessions of the Day:
• Session 1: FU-TOURISM – Shaping the Future of Tourism of European Regions and Cities
This opening session explores the ongoing challenges and opportunities facing the tourism sector, focusing heavily on Digitalization, Circular Economy, Resilience, and the Energy Transition. Backed by European policymakers and global travel advisors, the block addresses upcoming EU funding opportunities for sustainable tourism and highlights regional voices from the ecosystem. It culminates with the launch of the Tourism Challenge under the Ibagué Startup Europe Awards 2027.
• Session 2: One Blue – Addressing Emerging Pollutants from a Regional and Local Perspective A dedicated technical session focusing on governance in Europe's municipalities and regions. This block tackles the ecological and public health challenges posed by emerging pollutants in oceans, seas, rivers, wetlands, and lakes, identifying local solutions to safeguard biodiversity and human health.
• Session 3: ECOFFEE Circular Model – From Coffee Waste to Agricultural Resource
Framed as an official partner event of the EU Green Week, this block demonstrates how regional bioeconomy works in practice. It outlines territorial policy recommendations and showcases industrial circular innovations—such as reverse logistics, digital traceability, and transforming waste into animal feed and biocidal products—along with transatlantic synergy debates between Europe and Latin America.
• Session 4: Bridging Regions: Circular Economy & International Cooperation.
The final block, under the Cumbre Glocal de Economía Circular (Nova-Next Summit), positions the circular economy as a geostrategic tool for decentralized cooperation. Through successive expert panels, it explores interregional cooperation frameworks and funding instruments across global regions, bridging the European Union with Eurasia, the MENA region (featuring projects like MedGreenSkills and Afrimac), and Latin America.
Venue
European Committee of the Regions (CoR)
Conference room JDE 51
5th floor of JDE-Bâtiment Jacques Delors
Rue Belliard 101, B-1040, Brussels