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.”CHERTHALA, KERALA — Naipunnya School of Management (NSM), Cherthala, affiliated with the University of Kerala, successfully hosted the two-day international Vembanad Dialogues: Global Symposium on Keralam’s Blue Economy on September 25 and 26, 2026. Bringing together experts, academics, policymakers, industry leaders, students, and other stakeholders, the symposium created a vibrant platform for meaningful dialogue on Opportunities, Innovation & Sustainable Development, while exploring new possibilities for Kerala’s marine, coastal, and backwater resources and strengthening the vision of positioning Alappuzha as India’s “Blue Economy Capital.”
The symposium brought together a diverse and distinguished gathering of national and international experts, researchers, policymakers, entrepreneurs, industry professionals, and young minds, fostering rich conversations and new perspectives on the future of the Blue Economy. Through insightful sessions, engaging discussions, and the exchange of ideas and experiences, Vembanad Dialogues provided a valuable platform to explore sustainable solutions, emerging opportunities, and innovative approaches for the responsible development of Kerala’s coastal and marine resources.
The conference 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 event began with formal inaugural session with welcome address by Rev. Fr. Dr. Benny John Maramparampil, 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. delivered the vote of thanks to conclude the opening proceedings.
The two-day programme also highlighted the immense potential of Kerala’s coastal and backwater ecosystems as drivers of sustainable economic growth, innovation, employment, and community development. The discussions encouraged greater collaboration among academia, government, industry, and local communities, while underscoring the importance of balancing economic opportunities with environmental stewardship. The symposium concluded on a positive note, with a shared commitment to taking forward the ideas and partnerships that emerged during the Vembanad Dialogues and translating them into meaningful initiatives for a sustainable and resilient Blue Economy.
Following the inauguration, the symposium’s academic and policy agenda commenced with Plenary Session I, led by Dr. P. Shinoj, Principal Scientist at ICAR-CMFRI, who discussed Kerala’s Blue Economy policy vision under the chairmanship of Dr. Jacob George C. The afternoon featured 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 participated in a dedicated Ideation Track at the Carlo ICT Lab, where they presented innovative concepts aimed at promoting coastal sustainability.
The first day’s afternoon panel discussion focused directly on positioning Alappuzha as a Blue Economy centre, bringing together prominent stakeholders from the tourism sector. The panel featured 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 of the Kerala Homestay and Tourism Society, and was moderated by Prof. (Dr.) Oommen Mammen. The evening concluded with parallel technical research sessions across three venues, covering fisheries and aquaculture at Nexus, coastal livelihoods and heritage at Pavitra Hall, and blue tourism development at Sagara.
The second day of the symposium, Saturday, September 26, began with a global perspective presentation by Dr. Sid Mehta, Founder & CEO of Canada-based Greenworks Inc., who highlighted the revitalization of indigenous cuisines as a pathway towards sustainable coastal economies. This was followed by Plenary Session II, featuring Sri Jackson Peter, Founder & MD of Cool Divers and Planet Ocean Foundation, who addressed ocean literacy as a cornerstone for blue growth. The session was chaired by Prof. (Dr.) Paulachan K.J. Kaithottungal. Panel Discussion II subsequently brought together stalwarts from ICAR-CMFRI, the Diocese of Alleppey, Fresh To Home, and Palm Fiber India Ltd, under the moderation of Prof. (Dr.) Sam Thomas, to deliberate on Kerala’s Blue Economy Vision 2030, with a focus on coir, agriculture, and sustainable farming.
In the early afternoon, participants took part in practical, parallel workshops across multiple specialized facilities. Sri S.P. Sujith Swaminikarthil led a session on new-generation farming at the Nexus Auditorium, Dr. A. Jayan facilitated a workshop on Ayurveda wellness and tourism at Pavitra Hall, and Chef Laiju E.R. conducted a live session on Kuttanad ethnic culinary heritage at the HM Lab. These workshops were 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 symposium featured 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 culminated in a Valedictory Session presided over by Sri A.D. Thomas, MLA. Joint Executive Director Fr. Ancil Maippan delivered the welcome address, Dr. Anu G.S. presented the official Alappuzha Blue Economy Vision 2030 Declaration, and Dr. Junaid K.C. delivered the vote of thanks, following the presentation of Best Paper Awards and certificates.
