VEMBANAD DIALOGUES

Global Symposium on Keralam's Blue EconomyGlobal Symposium on Keralam's Blue EconomyGlobal Symposium on Keralam's Blue EconomyGlobal Symposium on Keralam's Blue EconomyGlobal Symposium on Keralam's Blue EconomyGlobal Symposium on Keralam's Blue EconomyGlobal Symposium on Keralam's Blue Economy

Opportunities, Innovation & Sustainable Development

Positioning Alappuzha as India's Blue Economy Capital

25–26 September 2026

Naipunnya School of Management, Cherthala, Kerala, India (Hybrid Mode)

About the Symposium

The Blue Economy framework promotes sustainable development by balancing economic prosperity, environmental stewardship, technological innovation, and social inclusion to support global SDGs through the responsible use of marine, coastal, and inland water resources. Endowed with a 590 km coastline, extensive waterways, the Vembanad Lake ecosystem, fisheries, backwater tourism, and a rich maritime heritage, Kerala is uniquely positioned to lead India's Blue Economy. Consequently, the Government of Kerala has envisioned Alappuzha as India's Blue Economy Capital under the Southern Kerala Economic Corridor. The Vembanad Dialogues: Global Symposium on Keralam's Blue Economy establishes a multidisciplinary platform connecting academia, policymakers, industry leaders, entrepreneurs, development agencies, students, and community stakeholders. It aims to foster evidence-based research, policy dialogue, innovation, entrepreneurship, and strategic partnerships for sustainable initiatives.

Symposium Objectives

The symposium seeks to:

• Foster interdisciplinary dialogue and collaboration among academia, industry, government, and communities.
• Encourage innovative research addressing contemporary coastal and marine challenges.
• Promote entrepreneurship, investment, and sustainable resource management in Blue Economy sectors.
• Support workforce readiness and generate inclusive coastal policy recommendations.
• Build long-term research collaborations and institutional partnerships.

Expected Outcomes

The symposium is expected to:

• Strengthen interdisciplinary Blue Economy research.
• Foster academia-industry-government collaboration.
• Encourage innovation and entrepreneurship.
• Promote sustainable livelihood opportunities.
• Support policy development for Kerala's Blue Economy.
• Publish quality research outputs.
• Establish research networks and collaborative projects.
• Release of the Alappuzha Blue Economy White Paper outlining strategic recommendations for sustainable Blue Economy development.

Call for Papers

Original and unpublished papers, including research, reviews, case studies, and policy analyses, are invited from academicians, researchers, policymakers, professionals, and students.

All submissions will undergo a double-blind peer review based on originality, rigor, relevance, innovation, and contribution.

Symposium Themes

Theme 1: Fisheries, Aquaculture & Coastal LivelihoodsTheme 1: Fisheries, Aquaculture & Coastal LivelihoodsTheme 1: Fisheries, Aquaculture & Coastal LivelihoodsTheme 1: Fisheries, Aquaculture & Coastal LivelihoodsTheme 1: Fisheries, Aquaculture & Coastal LivelihoodsTheme 1: Fisheries, Aquaculture & Coastal LivelihoodsTheme 1: Fisheries, Aquaculture & Coastal Livelihoods

Sub-themes: Sustainable Marine Fishing, Advanced Inland Fisheries, Mariculture Innovation, Seaweed Cultivation, Coastal Livelihood Diversification, Women Entrepreneurs in Fisheries, Fisher Welfare and Safety.

Theme 2: Blue Tourism, Recreation & Cultural HeritageTheme 2: Blue Tourism, Recreation & Cultural HeritageTheme 2: Blue Tourism, Recreation & Cultural HeritageTheme 2: Blue Tourism, Recreation & Cultural HeritageTheme 2: Blue Tourism, Recreation & Cultural HeritageTheme 2: Blue Tourism, Recreation & Cultural HeritageTheme 2: Blue Tourism, Recreation & Cultural Heritage

Sub-themes: Sustainable Beach & Backwater Tourism, Marine Cruise & Wellness Tourism, Eco and Cultural Tourism, Maritime Heritage and Ancient Trade, Maritime Museums, Coastal History.

Theme 3: Marine Industries & Blue BiotechnologyTheme 3: Marine Industries & Blue BiotechnologyTheme 3: Marine Industries & Blue BiotechnologyTheme 3: Marine Industries & Blue BiotechnologyTheme 3: Marine Industries & Blue BiotechnologyTheme 3: Marine Industries & Blue BiotechnologyTheme 3: Marine Industries & Blue Biotechnology

Sub-themes: Advanced Seafood Processing, Value-added Marine Products, Marine Biotechnology Applications, Blue Pharmaceuticals, Sea-based Nutraceuticals, Bioactive Marine Compounds.

Theme 4: Climate Action, Conservation & Renewable EnergyTheme 4: Climate Action, Conservation & Renewable EnergyTheme 4: Climate Action, Conservation & Renewable EnergyTheme 4: Climate Action, Conservation & Renewable EnergyTheme 4: Climate Action, Conservation & Renewable EnergyTheme 4: Climate Action, Conservation & Renewable EnergyTheme 4: Climate Action, Conservation & Renewable Energy

Sub-themes: Mangrove Restoration, Wetlands Protection, Marine Biodiversity, Blue Carbon Markets, Offshore Wind & Wave Energy, Floating Solar Power, Marine Plastic Recycling.

Theme 5: Education, Skills, Communication & Digital Blue EconomyTheme 5: Education, Skills, Communication & Digital Blue EconomyTheme 5: Education, Skills, Communication & Digital Blue EconomyTheme 5: Education, Skills, Communication & Digital Blue EconomyTheme 5: Education, Skills, Communication & Digital Blue EconomyTheme 5: Education, Skills, Communication & Digital Blue EconomyTheme 5: Education, Skills, Communication & Digital Blue Economy

Sub-themes: Blue Economy English, English as Economic Infrastructure, Maritime Communication, Specialised Maritime Education, Blue Entrepreneurship Training, Marine GIS & Remote Sensing, Oceanographic Sciences, AI applications in Fisheries, AI for Blue economy, IT for conservation and sustainability, Digital Humanities.

Theme 6: Coastal Agriculture & Blue CuisineTheme 6: Coastal Agriculture & Blue CuisineTheme 6: Coastal Agriculture & Blue CuisineTheme 6: Coastal Agriculture & Blue CuisineTheme 6: Coastal Agriculture & Blue CuisineTheme 6: Coastal Agriculture & Blue CuisineTheme 6: Coastal Agriculture & Blue Cuisine

Sub-themes: Integrated Coastal Agriculture, Saline-resistant Farming, Commercial Aquaponics, Coastal Ethnic Culinary Traditions, Sustainable Blue Cuisine.

Theme 7: Blue Finance & Emerging Policy PerspectivesTheme 7: Blue Finance & Emerging Policy PerspectivesTheme 7: Blue Finance & Emerging Policy PerspectivesTheme 7: Blue Finance & Emerging Policy PerspectivesTheme 7: Blue Finance & Emerging Policy PerspectivesTheme 7: Blue Finance & Emerging Policy PerspectivesTheme 7: Blue Finance & Emerging Policy Perspectives

Sub-themes: Sustainable Blue Investments, Blue Bonds & ESG Financing, Interdisciplinary Policy Research, Regional Policy Dialogue, Blue Innovation Ecosystems, Coastal Resilience Policy.

We also welcome submissions on related topics aligning with the symposium objectives, encouraging innovative, interdisciplinary research that advances sustainable Blue Economy knowledge and practice.

Guidelines for Paper Submission

• Papers must be original and unpublished.
• Abstract should not exceed 300 words and include 3–5 keywords.
• Full papers should be 4,000–6,000 words.
• Manuscripts must follow APA 7th Edition referencing style.
• Use Times New Roman, 12-point font, 1.5 line spacing.
• Submit manuscripts in MS Word (.doc/.docx) format.
• All submissions will undergo plagiarism screening and peer review.

Abstract Submission Portal: https://forms.gle/wMD5yfEYPbnH1HxK7

Registration Fee

There is no separate fee for paper presentation or participation. A single registration fee applies to all delegates according to their category.

Registration includes:

• Access to all technical sessions
• Keynote lectures and panel discussions
• Delegate kit
• Working lunch and refreshments
• Participation certificate
• Presentation certificate (for paper presenters)
• Digital conference proceedings (where applicable)

Venue (Hybrid)

Naipunnya School of Management
Near Manorama Junction, Cherthala
Alappuzha – 688524
Kerala, India

Mode: Hybrid (In-person & Online)

Organising Committee

• General Convenor - Executive Director & Principal
• Joint Convenors - Dr. Ajai Krishnan & Team NRF

Contact Information

Symposium Secretariat

Naipunnya School of Management
Near Manorama Junction, Cherthala,
Alappuzha – 688524, Keralam, India

Rev. Fr. Dr. Benny John Maramparampil
Executive Director & Principal
principal@naipunnyacollege.ac.in | +91-9447460124

Dr. Ajai Krishnan G.
Dean, Academics and Research
dean@naipunnyacollege.ac.in | +91-9645626109

Dr. Junaid K.C.
HoD, PGDTM
drjunaid@naipunnyacollege.ac.in | +91-9498855994

Dr. Anu G.S.
Asst. Prof., PGDC
dranugs@naipunnyacollege.ac.in | +91-9633610640