On September 23–24, 2025, Nyborg, Denmark hosted the DK Presidency Mission for the Ocean conference, a pivotal event supporting the EU Mission “Restore our Ocean and Waters.”

Valerie de Liedekerke presented key highlights from the BlueMissionAA project, showcasing the WaveLinks repository of solutions, the PESTEL-informed Theory of Change Framework, recommendations on how to better align Regions’ Smart Specialisation Strategies with the objectives of the EU MissionOcean, and stakeholder-engagement events.

Organized by the University of Southern Denmark and DTU with European Commission funding, the conference convened EU policymakers, researchers, NGOs, and industry leaders to chart a strategic roadmap for the mission’s deployment phase. Discussions centered on lessons learned, transferable solutions, and actionable recommendations to enhance the resilience and sustainability of Europe’s marine and aquatic ecosystems.
Her contribution underscored the importance of transatlantic collaboration and science-policy integration in advancing the mission’s objectives.