Philippe Fourrier, co-founder of the Ilago agency and coordinator of the Assises de l'économie de la mer (AEM), the 19th edition of which will be held at the Palais des Congrès in Bordeaux on 19 and 20 November, reveals the secrets behind this not-to-be-missed event for players in the maritime sector. Organised since 2005 by Le Marin, the specialist media arm of the Ouest-France group, the event brings together every year the leading decision-makers and experts in this sector, which alone accounts for 1.5% of France's GDP.
What are the key issues at stake in this major event?
The Assises de l'économie de la mer is the annual meeting of the entire French maritime ecosystem. That's what makes it so special: this national event covers all aspects of the sector. Its comprehensive content will cover issues ranging from defence, marine energy and boat building and equipment to fishing, leisure, boating and tourism. Over two days, more than 1,500 participants are expected to attend, all united by the common bond of the sea.
Do you have a new theme for this 2024 edition? Can you tell us a bit about it?
‘The maritime economy in transition’ will be the main theme of this year's Assises, with plenary sessions, conferences and editorial round tables. Each year, Le Marin works with an editorial committee that includes the French Maritime Cluster to draw up the programme. This highly topical theme is therefore the fruit of regular discussions and exchanges. And for the first time, we will be running a parallel series of conferences throughout the morning of the second day on subjects such as: erosion in coastal areas, velelic transport, the markets for autonomous ships and military drones, the life cycle of ships, pleasure boating in the context of the energy transition, marine renewable energies, etc.
The three amphitheatres facing each other in the Palais des Congrès make it easy for participants to move from one conference to the next.
The Assises de l'économie de la mer are usually attended by leading figures from the sector or the business world: who will be headlining this year?
We are now certain that the Minister Delegate for the Sea and Fisheries, Fabrice Loher, will be present, as will Jean-Yves Le Drian, former Minister of Defence and former Minister of Europe and Foreign Affairs, and also Nicolas Vaujour, Chief of Staff of the French Navy. We're also expecting most of the big names in the maritime industry to attend, including Edouard Louis-Dreyfus, Chairman of Armateurs de France, and Pierre-Eric Pommelet, Chairman and CEO of Naval Group, for example... All the major players who ‘count’ in the maritime sector will be present: that's the strength of this unmissable event.
Was Bordeaux a long-planned destination for the Assises?
Absolutely! Bordeaux is a river and maritime city with significant maritime and port activities. The importance of its industry and its ecosystem made it a natural choice to host this conference... It was high time we came to Bordeaux at last!
