FREE AND OPEN TO ALL. Ports play a central role in advancing sustainability across economic, environmental, and social dimensions. Economically, they enhance value chains by improving efficiency, market access, and competitiveness. Environmentally, well-managed ports support responsible fishing practices, reduce waste, and promote resource conservation. Socially, ports contribute to community livelihoods, safety, and equitable opportunities, strengthening the resilience and inclusiveness of coastal populations.
The FAO Blue Ports Initiative (BPI) seeks to strengthen and support countries and fishing ports in optimizing their operations to promote the sustainable development of coastal communities. Today, the Initiative engages over 26 countries within a global network of blue ports and collaborates with more than 20 regional, national, public, and private partners. 

This Session will provide a platform for dialogue on how enhanced port management, infrastructure, and public-private collaboration can create added value for fisheries, while supporting the transition toward more sustainable, inclusive, and resilient coastal economies. In addition, recognizing the strategic economic role of ports as critical nodes in the fisheries value chain, this session will highlight how ports serve not only as key entry points for landing and first sale, but also as vital hubs for quality control, traceability, processing, and logistics, impacting the efficiency, competitiveness, and sustainability of the entire fisheries sector.