The 2025 International Forum on Blue Carbon and Sustainable Development (BCSD2025) took place in Qingdao, China, on 11–12 May 2025. Co-organized by the Center for Ocean Carbon Neutrality (COCN), the Ocean University of China (OUC), and the University of Portsmouth (UoP), the Forum brought together leading scientists, policy experts, and practitioners to explore the latest advances and challenges in the fields of blue carbon, ocean governance, and climate mitigation.

As part of the keynote session, our project coordinator, Elisa Furlan, presented the DesirMED project. Her talk highlighted several Nature-based Solutions (NbS) best practices being implemented across the project's demonstration regions. She also provided a first look at the AI-based modeling framework currently under development for the Sardinia Demonstrating Region, designed to support climate adaptation planning by integrating multi-risk assessments and NbS suitability. Elisa’s participation underscored DesirMED’s relevance in the broader dialogue on ocean-based climate action. The project’s approach reflects a growing consensus on the importance of leveraging natural ecosystems (such as seagrass meadows) not only for carbon sequestration but also for building long-term coastal resilience. In an era of accelerating impacts (either related to climate change or more direct human stressors), the integration of science, technology, and nature-based solutions/strategies remains crucial for shaping sustainable marine futures.

Title of the presentation:
AI-powered transformative adaptation planning: advancing multi-risk and NbS suitability modelling for climate resilience in marine and coastal areas