On October 16, 2025, in Trieste, at the headquarters of the Presidency of the Autonomous Region of Friuli Venezia Giulia, the workshop “Green and Smart Ports: Shaping the Future of Green Transition and Skills Development in the Adriatic–Ionian Region” took place, focusing on the role of ports in the green and digital transition of the Adriatic-Ionian Macroregion.

The event, organized by the Central European Initiative (CEI) in collaboration with the Autonomous Region of Friuli Venezia Giulia, was held in partnership with Pillar 2 – Transport and Energy of the European Union Strategy for the Adriatic-Ionian Region (EUSAIR).

The workshop brought together representatives from ports, universities, European institutions, regional authorities, training centers, and research organizations to discuss how innovation, coordinated policies, and the development of new skills can accelerate the transformation towards more sustainable and energy-efficient port systems.

During the sessions, various aspects of the green transition of EUSAIR ports were explored – from technological and digital innovation to decarbonization, necessary investments, and the alignment of professional skills. It became clear that the energy and digital transition cannot be achieved without investing in human capital, which requires the creation of new career paths and professional profiles, innovative partnerships, and adaptive governance models.

Key messages emerged from the presentations and discussions:

• The green transformation of ports must be based on multilevel governance and a shared macroregional vision across transport, energy, and education sectors;
• Cross-sector collaboration between port authorities, universities, training centers, and economic operators is essential to anticipate professional needs and address labor market mismatches;
• Public and private investments must be directed toward long-term planning, with flexibility and sustainability at the core of development strategies.

The dialogue between EUSAIR pillars – Blue Growth (Pillar I), Transport and Energy (Pillar II), and Social Cohesion (Pillar V) – also highlighted the potential of EUSAIR in linking technological innovation with human capital development. The challenge now is to turn these reflections into concrete actions through joint projects, more structured cooperation frameworks, and renewed political commitment.

Thanks to these efforts, EUSAIR ports will not only meet decarbonization goals but also become drivers of change, engines of sustainable growth and innovation for the entire macroregion.