GLOBAL SYMPOSIUM ON KERALA’S BLUE ECONOMY
NV Paulose, Chairman, Global TV +91 98441 82044
CHERTHALA, KERALA — Naipunnya School of Management (NSM), Cherthala, affiliated with the University of Kerala, has announced that it will organize a comprehensive two-day international event titled Vembanad Dialogues: Global Symposium on Keralam’s Blue Economy on September 25 and 26, 2026. Center-staged around the overarching theme “Opportunities, Innovation & Sustainable Development,” the symposium is designed as a global collaborative platform to explore marine, coastal, and backwater resources while laying down a strategic blueprint to position Alappuzha as India’s “Blue Economy Capital.”
The conference will open on Friday, September 25, at the Nexus Auditorium with a keynote address delivered by Prof. (Dr.) Biju Kumar, Vice-Chancellor of the Kerala University of Fisheries and Ocean Studies (KUFOS), focused on re-imagining ocean wealth for inclusive and resilient growth. The formal inaugural session will feature a welcome address by Rev. Fr. Dr. Benny John Maramparampil, a presidential address by Cherthala MLA Sri P. Prasad, and an inaugural address by Deputy Speaker Adv. Shanimol Osman, alongside a video message from Chief Minister Adv. Sri V.D. Satheesan and guest of honour remarks from Msgr. Anto Cheranthuruthy. Dr. Ajai Krishnan G. will deliver the vote of thanks to conclude the opening proceedings.
Following the inauguration, the symposium’s academic and policy agenda will commence with Plenary Session I led by Dr. P. Shinoj, Principal Scientist at ICAR-CMFRI, discussing Kerala’s Blue Economy policy vision under the chairmanship of Dr. Jacob George C. The afternoon will feature a global perspective lecture by Prof. (Dr.) Thomas Hahn from Stockholm University’s National Resilience Centre on ecosystem resilience. Running parallel to these core sessions, high school and undergraduate students will participate in a dedicated Ideation Track at the Carlo ICT Lab to pitch innovative concepts aimed at coastal sustainability.
The first day’s afternoon panel discussion will focus directly on positioning Alappuzha as a blue economy center, bringing together prominent stakeholders from the tourism sector. Panelists include Sri Rupesh Kumar K. of the Kerala Responsible Tourism Mission Society, Sri Vinod V. of the All Kerala Houseboat Owners Association, Sri Venugopal G. of the Houseboat Owners Federation, and Sri M.P. Sivadathan from the Kerala Homestay and Tourism Society, moderated by Prof. (Dr.) Oommen Mammen. The evening will close with parallel technical research sessions across three venues covering fisheries and aquaculture in Nexus, coastal livelihoods and heritage in Pavitra Hall, and blue tourism development in Sagara.
Day two of the symposium, Saturday, September 26, will begin with a global perspective presentation by Dr. Sid Mehta, Founder & CEO of Canada-based Greenworks Inc., who will highlight the revitalization of indigenous cuisines for sustainable coastal economies. This will be followed by Plenary Session II featuring Sri Jackson Peter, Founder & MD of Cool Divers and Planet Ocean Foundation, addressing ocean literacy as a cornerstone for blue growth, chaired by Prof. (Dr.) Paulachan K.J. Kaithottungal. Panel Discussion II will then assemble representatives from ICAR-CMFRI, the Diocese of Alleppey, Fresh To Home, and Palm Fiber India Ltd, under the moderation of Prof. (Dr.) Sam Thomas, to debate Kerala’s Blue Economy Vision 2030 with a focus on coir, agriculture, and sustainable farming.
In the early afternoon, participants will transition to practical, parallel workshops spanning multiple specialized facilities. Sri S.P. Sujith Swaminikarthil will lead a session on new-generation farming in the Nexus Auditorium, Dr. A. Jayan will facilitate a workshop on Ayurveda wellness and tourism in Pavitra Hall, and Chef Laiju E.R. will conduct a live session on Kuttanad ethnic culinary heritage in the HM Lab. These workshops will be immediately followed by a position paper presentation on seafood safety and food fraud by Prof. Roy D. Palmer, CEO of Australia’s Seafood Consumers Association Ltd.
The final academic segment of the conference will consist of parallel technical paper presentations addressing digital blue economy and AI, blue finance and emerging policy, and coastal agriculture across the primary presentation venues. The symposium will culminate in a Valedictory Session presided over by Sri A.D. Thomas, MLA, featuring Minister for Tourism, Culture & Cinema Sri P.C. Vishnunath as the Chief Guest. Joint Executive Director Fr. Ancil Maippan will offer the welcome address, Dr. Anu G.S. will present the official Alappuzha Blue Economy Vision 2030 Declaration, and Dr. Junaid K.C. will close the event with a vote of thanks following the presentation of Best Paper Awards and certificates.
