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European Coast Guard Functions Forum 2026

Italian Coast Guard Chairmanship

Plenary Conference – Catania, 5-7 October

Draft Agenda

October, 5, 2026 - Monday:

TIME AGENDA ITEM VENUE/NOTE

Daytime ECGFF Delegates Arrival

18:30 Ice breaker for ECGFF Delegates

Hotel Baia Verde

Terrace

DRESS CODE: SMART CASUAL

2

October, 6, 2026 - Tuesday:

TIME AGENDA ITEM VENUE/SPEAKERS/NOTE

09:00 – 09:30 Registration of participants

Hotel Baia Verde – meeting room

DRESS CODE: FORMAL ATTIRE AND UNIFORM FOR MILITARY PERSONNEL

09:30 – 10:45 Welcome speeches and opening remarks

VADM (ITCG) Sergio LIARDO

ITN

ITGdF

Italian Authorities TBD

European Commission/DG MARE

Agencies’ Executive Directors

(EMSA/EFCA/FRONTEX)

10:45 – 11:00 COASTEX Introduction ITCG (3rd Department)

11:00 – 11:05 Family photo

11:05 – 11:30 Coffee break Garden

11:30 -13:00 COASTEX Live demonstration taking place in the waters off Hotel Baia Verde

13:00 – 14:30 Light lunch Restaurant “L’Oleandro”

14:30 – 14:40 COASTEX streaming ITCG (3rd Department)

14:40 – 15:00

WORKSHOP EMSA

Maritime challenges: from addressing geopolitical shifts to capacity building in support of coast guard operations

TBD

3

TIME AGENDA ITEM VENUE/SPEAKERS/NOTE

15:00 – 15:20

WORKSHOP EFCA

Implementation of Multipurpose Maritime Operations (MMOs) and use of innovative technologies in fisheries control activities

TBD

15:20 – 15:30 COASTEX streaming ITCG (3rd Department)

15:30 – 15:50

WORKSHOP FRONTEX

Advancing EU Maritime Drone Capabilities: Bridging Gaps for Stronger Coast Guard Responses

TBD

15:50 – 16:10 EU Coastguard Cybersecurity Working Group

TBD

16:10 – 16:15 Conclusion of the first day ITCG

16:15 – 16:45 Coffee break Terrace

19:00 – 22:00 Cocktail + Networking Dinner

Hotel Baia Verde restaurant

Restaurant “L’Oleandro”

DRESS CODE: FORMAL ATTIRE

4

October, 7, 2026 - Wednesday:

TIME AGENDA ITEM VENUE/SPEAKERS/NOTE

09:00 – 09:30 Registration of participants

Hotel Baia Verde – meeting room

DRESS CODE: FORMAL ATTIRE AND UNIFORM FOR MILITARY PERSONNEL

09:30 – 09:40 Opening and Wrap-up of the previous day

ITCG

09:40 – 10:00 Young Representatives working group - outcomes

ITCG

10:00 – 10:15 COASTEX outcomes ITCG (3rd Department)

10:15 – 10:45 Coffee break Terrace

10:45 – 11:30 Panel Discussion speakers from ECGFF Secretariat

Moderator: ITCG

11:30 – 12:15 Panel Discussion

speakers from DG MARE and EU Agencies

Moderator: ITCG

12:15 – 12:25 ToR update ITCG

12:25 – 12:35 Handover Ceremony

Italian Coast Guard

DGMM (Spanish Directorate General for Merchant Marine)

12:35 – 12:50 ECGFF – Future framework ECGFF Next Chairmanship (Spain)

12:50 – 13:00 Closing remarks ECGFF Chairmanship (Italy)

13:00 – 14:30 Light lunch Restaurant “L’Oleandro”

15:30 – 18:30 Social Event

ITALIAN COAST GUARD CHAIRMANSHIP

PLENARY CONFERENCE 5 – 7 October 2026, Catania, Italy

Via A. Musco, 8 – 95021 Aci Castello Catania, Sicily, Italy

Practical Information

EVENTS LOCATION

Grand Hotel Baia Verde

Via A. Musco, 8, 95021 Aci Castello, Catania, Sicily, Italy.

Date From Monday 5 October 2026 to Wednesday 7 October.

REGISTRATION TO THE EVENT

To register for the event, delegates are kindly requested to fully complete the Excel form attached to the invitation (Annex 2).

We respectfully ask that you complete all required fields accurately, in order to facilitate the accreditation process.

FLIGHT ARRANGEMENTS ✈

The Italian Chairmanship will provide roundtrip flights for 3 delegates per Member States, up to a total value of € 600,00 per participants . This coverage is provided at national level, regardless of how many different Administrations from that country are invited. It will therefore be up to each Country to decide which Administration will benefit from the financial support. Therefore, the Administrations invited to the event must inform us which individuals from these organisations will benefit from reimbursement by the Italian Chairmanship, providing names, ranks and positions of the three delegates.

Please be advised that delegates entitled to reimbursement must book flight tickets exclusively through the official partner agency Losurdo Viaggi no later than 31 July 2026, at the following email address:

([email protected])

If the cost of the selected flight exceeds the aforementioned amount, the remaining balance shall be payed by the delegate directly to the agency before ticket issuance .

Losurdo Viaggi, in accordance with delegates, will prioritize direct flights to Catania and, alternatively, stopover solutions via Rome Fiumicino, providing for the economy flex fare with a cabin bag and a hold bag. It is highly recommended that delegates book their flights as soon as possible. This will ensure they avoid the additional costs typically arising from limited availability as the departure date approaches.

Delegates wishing to participate at their own expense (from the fourth person onwards) will bear all flight costs personally.

Delegates are kindly requested to keep and send their boarding passes for expense justification to both the Italian Chairmanship ([email protected]) and

the Losurdo Viaggi Agency ([email protected]).

ACCOMODATION Grand Hotel Baia Verde, Via A. Musco, 8, 95021 Aci Castello, Catania, Sicily, Italy. The Italian Chairmanship will provide the hotel accommodation for 3 delegates per Member State . It will therefore be up to each country to decide which Administration will benefit from the financial support. Invited Administrations must inform us of the selected delegates who will benefit from the reimbursement, providing their full name, rank, and position. Rooms have already been reserved by the Italian Chairmanship in order to allow those who are entitled to reimbursement to stay at the same hotel where the Plenary Conference will be held.

Check-in is on Monday, October 5th, 2026 from 3:00 pm. Check-out is on Thursday, October 8th, 2026 by 10:00 am.

Should delegates decide to extend their stay before October 5 or beyond October 8, the additional cost will be entirely at their own expense.

Please note that due to limited availability, the Grand Hotel Baia Verde cannot accommodate extra delegates whose expenses are not covered by the Italian Chairmanship. However, convenient alternative accommodations are available nearby for independent booking.

Zeus Residence Hotel – Aparthotel Via Antonello da Messina – 95021 Aci Castello

(Distance from the Grand Hotel Baia Verde: 1 minute by car, 3 minutes on foot)

Hotel Four Points by Sheraton Via Antonello da Messina n.45 – 95021 Aci Castello (Distance from the Grand Hotel Baia Verde: 2 minute by car,

6 minutes on foot)

B&B Il Giardino dei Limoni Via Rosso di San Secondo n. 4 – 95021 Aci Castello (Distance from the Grand Hotel Baia Verde: 2 minute by car,

8 minutes on foot)

B&B Oasi della Perla Via Sciarelli n. 55 – 951021 Aci Castello

(Distance from the Grand Hotel Baia Verde: 4 minute by car, 6 minutes on foot)

ARRIVAL AND TRANSPORTATION

The Grand Hotel Baia Verde is located in Aci Castello, in the district of Cannizzaro, approximately 12-15 km from airport. The nearest airport is Catania-Fontanarossa International Airport “Vincenzo Bellini”. We would like to outline how you can reach the Grand Hotel Baia Verde independently:

Taxi

It is the fastest solution.

Taxis are located just outside the Arrivals terminal exit.

• Travel time: approximately 20-30 minutes.

• Estimated cost: Between € 30 and € 45.

• Some private transfer companies or radio-taxi services apply fixed rates around €48.

Public Transport

There is no direct bus from the airport to the hotel, so you will need to change buses in the city center.

• Alibus (Airport → City Center): Take the Alibus, which departs every 25 minutes. Get off at the Central Train Station (Piazza Giovanni XXIII). The cost is about € 5,00.

• AMTS Bus (City Center → Hotel): From Central Station, take line 434 or 534 towards Aci Castello. Ask to get off at the stop closest to the Grand Hotel Baia Verde. The cost is included in the Alibus ticket if you are within the 90-minute limit; otherwise, an additional €1,20 is required.

• Total time: Approximately 60-80 minutes.

Car Rental

Perfect choice if you plan to visit the surrounding areas (Aci Trezza, Taormina, Etna). The hotel has a large free parking area.

• Travel time: approximately 20-30 minutes.

• Cost: the average rate for an economy car is approximately €45-€60 per day.

• Route: Take the Asse Attrezzato/SP70, follow the signs for Catania Centro/Circonvallazione, and continue towards Ognina/Aci Castello along the seafront.

Hotel Private Transfer

The Grand Hotel Baia Verde often offers a shuttle service upon reservation for its guests.

• Cost: Generally higher than a standard taxi (around €55-€65), but with the advantage of a personalized meet-and-greet service.

• How to book: Contact the hotel reception directly at least 24 hours before your arrival.

MEETING ROOM

The event will be held in the conference hall “Congressi” at the Hotel Baia Verde,

equipped with audiovisual technology and Wi-Fi.

MEALS & COSTS The ECGFF presidency will cover the meals mentioned in the agenda during

meeting session.

Light Lunches will be served in the restaurant hall of the

Grand Hotel Baia Verde “L’Oleandro”.

In the same location, the Networking Dinner will take place.

SOCIAL EVENT

• Welcome Cocktail at 6:30 pm, 5 October 2026

• Cocktail and Networking Dinner at 7:00 pm, 6 October 2026 ✨

• Visit to a ITCG Offshore Patrol Vessel at about 3:30 pm, 7 October 2026

DRESS CODE

• During the Meeting: formal attire/uniform for military personnel

• During Cocktail and visit to ITCG Offshore Patrol Vessel: smart casual

• During Networking Dinner: formal attire

CONTACT INFORMATION

For any inquiries, please contact:

[email protected] – ECGFF Chairmanship

([email protected]) – Losurdo Agency (for booking flights and accomodation)

We look forward to welcoming you to Catania, where every detail finds its place between sea

and beauty!

European Coast Guard Functions Forum - Italian Chairmanship -

Invitation to the ECGFF Plenary Conference on 5-7 October 2026

Dear ECGFF Members and Observers,

The Italian Coast Guard as Chairman of the European Coast Guard Functions Forum 2026 is pleased

and honoured to invite you, in on-site format, to the Plenary Conference, which will take place in:

Aci Castello, Catania (Sicily Island)

at Hotel Baia Verde

(Via Angelo Musco, 8, 95021)

from 5 to 7 October 2026.

This event will bring together Coast Guard Authorities and EU Agencies, providing a valuable

opportunity for dialogue and cooperation at a European level.

The Conference aims to promote constructive exchanges focused on strengthening cross-sectoral

synergies and fostering the sharing of experiences and best practices among participants. Over the course of

two days, participants will explore the outcomes of the workshops organised in collaboration with EMSA,

EFCA and FRONTEX. These workshops were held in Lisbon, Chioggia and Warsaw throughout the year 2026.

Participants will also explore the outcomes of the Cybersecurity and Young Representatives working groups.

Another key element will be the COASTEX 2026 exercise: a multipurpose maritime exercise taking place in

the waters off Catania on 6 October. Delegates attending the Plenary Conference will observe the exercise

from the venue’s terrace.

This invitation includes a tentative draft agenda for your reference (Annex 1).

The ECGFF Chairmanship would like to cover the expenses for up to 3 (three) representatives from the

relevant national authorities carrying out Coast Guard functions from your Member State, regardless of the

number of administrations represented.

Designated persons are invited to register for the event by 31 July 2026. Please fill in the excel file

(Annex 2) and send it back to [email protected].

Attached is a practical information note containing logistical arrangements, transport information, rules

on expense reimbursement and other useful details (Annex 3).

Please note that reimbursement is only available to registered participants, and all supporting

reimbursement documents must be submitted within 30 calendar days of the event's end date. Member States

with more than three Coast Guard Authorities and with more than three participants must indicate which

delegates will receive reimbursement for their expenses.

United by a shared sense of responsibility and a commitment to building a sustainable future for our

seas, we look forward to welcoming you to Catania. We are confident that your valuable contribution will

enrich the dialogue and strengthen European cooperation.

Yours sincerely, The Commandant

of the Italian Coast Guard

Vice Admiral Sergio LIARDO