Commissioner Costas Kadis delivered a video message at the 2026 Global Sustainable Islands Summit, outlining a comprehensive approach to support islands and coastal communities in the European Union as pivotal players in ocean stewardship and sustainable development. He announced two forthcoming EU strategies—one for islands, focusing on coordinated policy frameworks for energy, connectivity, fisheries, marine innovation, and ocean renewables; and another for coastal communities aimed at promoting economic and climate resilience and improving quality of life. These strategies are expected to be adopted together by June 2026. Kadis also highlighted the allocation of at least €19.3 billion from EU cohesion policy funds for 2021–2027, dedicated to boosting competitiveness, green transition, innovation, connectivity, housing, sustainable tourism, and inclusive growth in island regions.
This announcement builds on a series of recent initiatives by Commissioner Kadis to advance the EU's ocean agenda. On March 31, 2026, Kadis inaugurated the European Ocean Board to guide implementation of the European Ocean Pact, adopted by the Commission in June 2025, which consolidates ocean-related policies into a unified framework with 90 concrete actions and 30 flagship initiatives. Earlier, on March 27, Kadis addressed the European Youth Parliament, proposing a youth-centric European Ocean Pact for a sustainable blue economy. At the 'Climate Action in the Eastern Mediterranean and Middle East' conference on April 8, Kadis introduced OceanEye—an innovative European Ocean Observation Initiative unveiled by President von der Leyen earlier this year—and outlined measures for enhanced marine protection and regional cooperation. The upcoming Ocean Act and OceanEye Initiative, planned to be operational by 2030, aim to consolidate governance for ocean health, biodiversity, and maritime sectors, and enhance ocean observation via a global alliance.
The speech also emphasized cross-border cooperation through Interreg programs and the European Ocean Pact, illustrating increased EU involvement and integration in maritime and environmental governance. This follows a clash in the European Parliament's REGI committee on April 14, 2026, where Joris Bengevoord from the Association of European Border Regions and Peter Berkowitz representing DG REGIO debated the autonomy of Interreg in post-2027 EU funding. Kadis's proposed strategies reflect a strengthening of EU powers and coordination in the blue economy sector, with increased regulation and governance over island and coastal development. EU Member States and regional authorities are expected to gain enhanced frameworks to guide national policies. The fishing and aquaculture sectors may face evolving sustainability and innovation requirements aligned with the Commission’s Vision 2040 and energy transition roadmap. Civil society and local communities could benefit from greater economic resilience, environmental protections, and respect for cultural heritage. However, industry stakeholders may encounter administrative and compliance costs associated with new sustainability standards.
Kadis’s message indicates a shift towards more integrated, EU-led sustainable development strategies for islands and coastal areas, leveraging EU funding and policy instruments to address environmental, economic, and social challenges in these regions.
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