Representatives from ports and universities to European institutions, regional authorities, training centres, and research organisations gathered in Trieste on 16 October 2025, at the Friuli Venezia Giulia Regional Government Building (Italy) to attend the workshop “Green and Smart Ports: Shaping the Future of Green Transition and Skills Development in the Adriatic-Ionian Region”.
Organised by CEI in partnership with the Friuli Venezia Giulia Region, and under the coordination of the EUSAIR Pillar II – Transport and Energy, the gathering to explored how innovation, coordinated policies, and targeted skills development can accelerate the shift toward sustainable, energy-efficient port systems.
Deputy Secretary General Zsuzsanna Kiraly opened the workshop emphasising that:
“New technologies bring with them the challenge of workforce adaptation. The European Skills Agenda offers an important framework for reskilling and lifelong learning, helping align labour market needs with the demands of a decarbonised port economy. The future of EUSAIR ports—and of the Adriatic–Ionian region—will depend not only on sustainable infrastructure but also on the strength of our human capital.”
Regional Councillor Fabio Scoccimarro emphasised the importance of regional cooperation in achieving ambitious environmental and human capital objectives, while Professors Pierluigi Coppola and Sergio Garribba, Coordinators of EUSAIR Pillar II, underscored the value of initiatives of this kind in fostering collaboration among diverse institutions and promoting cross-pillar dialogue across EUSAIR’s framework; and Captain Giovanni Baici from the Maritime Authority of Friuli Venezia Giulia also reaffirmed the Authority’s ongoing commitment to advancing sustainability-related skills in the maritime sector.
Aligned with the UN 2030 Agenda and the European Green Deal, the CEI continues to promote regional connectivity, low-carbon transport, and sustainable economic growth. The workshop marked an important step toward a shared educational and professional ecosystem capable of driving the energy transition in the region’s ports.