Coastal areas are the platform of vast economic and social activities. According to the published international statistics, more than 80% of the world's major cities are currently known as commercial and economic hubs. In the coastal regions of many countries, the share of the sea area in the gross national product is more than 10%, and this figure reaches 50% in developed coastal countries. With about 200,000 square kilometers of sea area and one third of all borderlines being coastal, our country is considered a maritime country, but it is not in a favorable position in terms of exploiting this God-given blessing.
In the southern sea area, with their geostrategic and geopolitical importance on a global and regional scale, the existence of numerous large and small commercial and fishing islands and ports, the benefit of huge oil and gas reserves and valuable natural and mineral resources, the Persian Gulf and the Sea of Oman play a special role in the development of the country's economy. Despite these assets, most of their economic capacities had remained unknown, especially in the Oman Sea and the coasts of Makran. By being aware of these potential capacities and actualizing them, it is possible for the country to play a more prominent economic and political role at the regional and global level. Accordingly, University of Hormozgan with regard to its strategic plan and special focus on identifying and solving maritime issues and challenges and its marine-based development policy intends to hold an international conference called "Blue Economy" with the following sea-based objectives:
• Creating a suitable platform for the participation and exchange of opinions of researchers and experts in the scientific and industrial fields on the issues related to maritime economy
• Familiarizing the national and provincial planning managers with the economic potentials and capacities of the Persian Gulf and the Sea of Oman.
• Introducing opportunities, challenges and solutions for economic development
• Examining the role and position of various sciences and technologies in economic development
• Gaining awareness and recognition of the unknown economic capacities of the Persian Gulf and the Sea of Oman and the implementation of appropriate programs to actualize these capacities.
• Being familiar and getting access to the latest scientific findings related to economic issues of the sea
• Creating alignment and synergy between university and industry
• Investigating the role of domestic and foreign investment in achieving the growth and development of the offshore economy
Conference themes:
1- Environment and marine laws
2- Nanotechnology and marine biotechnology
3- Remote sensing and sea monitoring technology
4- Fisheries, marine aquaculture and sustainable exploitation of marine resources
5- New technologies in seawater purification and desalination and renewable energies
6- Customs, transportation and marine industries
7- Marine Authority and its Impact on Blue Economy