With the oceans and seas critical elements of the global economy, food and energy security, and livelihoods, the blue economy concept is rapidly gaining currency as an essential element of national security and prosperity. The rising popularity of the blue economy concept has in turn led to a deepening appreciation of the role of navies as key enablers of the blue economy.
In preparation for the Royal Australian Navy’s (RAN) Sea Power Conference 2017, the Sea Power Centre - Australia (SPC-A), in conjunction with the Australian National Centre for Ocean Resources and Security, published The blue economy in Australia. This volume served as the thematic basis for two of the sessions at the Sea Power Conference 2017.
The paper presented here collects in edited form the presentations delivered at the two blue economy sessions of the Sea Power Conference 2017. These presentations were delivered by current and former senior naval officers from around the globe, including several chiefs of navy.
Each chapter of this paper provides a unique perspective on the blue economy. Although some chapters are focussed on a particular geographic region, such as in the Baltic Sea or the waters around Fiji, all chapters emphasise the global importance of the blue economy.
These chapters highlight the crucial role that navies play in enabling the blue economy. Navies secure the maritime domain and make possible the responsible stewardship of domestic and international waters. Navies assist with everything from environmental monitoring and protection to escorting merchant vessels and responding to piracy and terrorism.
Several chapters also touch on the contribution of naval shipbuilding to the blue economy. In this way, navies provide inputs to the blue economy as well as protecting it. This is an especially salient point in light of the Australian Government's Naval Shipbuilding Plan and historic recapitalisation of the RAN.
With the blue economy concept growing in importance, this volume serves as a valuable snapshot of global perspectives in this critical area. This volume will hopefully improve global understanding and foster both intellectual and practical cooperation on the blue economy. I commend this paper to you.
