Together with Copenhagen Malmö Port (CMP), World Maritime University (WMU), and Union of the Baltic Cities (UBC) - the City of Malmö is hosting a pivotal conference on Future-proofing Our Port Cities, taking place 30 September – 1 October 2025. The conference brings together decision-makers, representatives from business, academia and the public sector from across Europe to jointly discuss future strategies for Europe's coastal and port cities in light of climate change.

The conference is taking place in response to the increased risks linked to climate change, such as rising sea levels and intensified torrential rains. They pose serious threats to critical infrastructure and buildings. The conference highlights the challenges and solutions required to enable effective climate adaptation in coastal and port cities. Focus will be on the strategic role of ports as vital infrastructure and for secure supply chains, sustainable growth and the green transition.

"Port cities like Malmö have a dual mission: to promote growth and accessibility while preparing for a changing climate. The conference provides an important forum for raising the level of ambition, strengthening collaboration and creating long-term resilience for future generations.”
—  Katrin Stjernfeldt Jammeh, Mayor of Malmö

Conference Themes

Theme 1: How we future-proof our port cities – growing cities in response to the sea
Many of our port cities in Sweden and around the world face the challenge of adapting cities to a rapidly changing climate. In the first theme of the conference, we discuss how we adapt our port cities to rising seas.

Theme 2: The role of ports for growth, the green transition, and as critical infrastructure
The second theme of the conference focuses on the pivotal role of ports in driving innovation, ensuring supply security, supporting growth and, trade, and advancing the green transition.

• Event page with more details and programme
• Link to the registration (incl. conference fee) – remember to use the code UBC-VIP when registering

The conference will feature a rich variety of presentations including experiences from cities and ports of Malmö, Copenhagen, Gothenburg, Hamburg, Gdansk, Trelleborg. Participants will also walk along 3 study visits!

Study visits

⚓ City of Malmö: The Southern shipyard basin, one of Malmö's oldest and most central shipyard areas. Examples of redevelopment and discussion about reimagining the former deep shipyard basin.

⚓ World Maritime University (WMU) with a tour of its extraordinary headquarters building and a presentation about the University's mission and work.

⚓ Copenhagen Malmö Port, giving first-hand insights into the commercial port operations in Malmö. The Danish-Swedish venture Copenhagen Malmö Port AB (CMP) is the largest port company in the Öresund region.