EU takes action

The EU & policies

🧭 Moderated by Sheila Heymans (European Marine Board)

This session explores how to better coordinate ocean observations in Europe and ensure that the future European Ocean Observing System (EOOS) effectively supports the implementation of the EU Ocean Pact. It starts with an overview of the current ocean observing landscape in Europe, highlighting ongoing activities within the EOOS framework and outlining a vision for its future.

This is followed by insights into the importance of national coordination and integration of ocean observations for various Blue Economy sectors, illustrated through the example of the French Ocean Observing System (FrOOS).

A moderated discussion addresses the significance of the EU Ocean Observing Initiative for the Ocean Pact, identifies key actions required for EOOS to succeed, and examines the main challenges to achieving European coordination in ocean observation.

Welcome Elisabeth Hamdouch   - Directorate General for Defence Industry and Space - DG DEFIS

The EU Ocean Pact unveiles by the European Commission, beginning with a strategic overview by DG for Maritime Affairs and Fisheries (DG MARE). 

This is followed by three interventions from DG for Defence Industry and Space (DG DEFIS), DG   Research and Innovation (DG RTD), and DG for International Partnerships (DG INTPA), each outlining their Directorate’s contribution to the EU Ocean Pact’s implementation.

The session celebrates the 10-year milestone of the Copernicus Marine Service and highlights its continued evolution. It retraces the service’s development and underlines the ongoing support from key European space and meteorological agencies.

A real-time demonstration showcases the service’s operational capabilities and user-friendly tools. European partners and users shared how the service will continue to support research, environmental policy, marine operations, and the blue economy.

The session concludes with a forward-looking roadmap, presenting how Copernicus Marine will contribute to climate resilience, ocean sustainability, and digital ocean initiatives in the years to come.

This session introduces the EU Digital Twin Ocean as a key pillar of the EU Ocean Pact. It also launches the new operational phase through the starting EDITO2 project, with demos and a high-level roundtable.

Speakers from the European Commission, Mercator Ocean International and key marine research bodies explore how the Digital Twin Ocean responds to the EU Ocean Pact’s ambitions and how its architecture supports evidence-based decision-making.

Mercator Ocean and EUMETSAT discussed their cooperation on marine data services, and common ambition to strengthen their partnership through a Memorandum of Understanding. This aggreement enhances access to and use of satellite and oceanographic data, supporting EU Ocean policies and global sustainability efforts.