New OceanEye alliance brings together 31 members to expand ocean observation, close critical data gaps and protect the infrastructure underpinning weather and
climate forecasting.
The European Union and Canada have secured almost €220 million in financial, technical and in-kind commitments to strengthen global ocean observation, as leaders and representatives from 31 members launched a new international alliance focused on improving the world's ability to monitor the oceans.
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney launched the OceanEye International Alliance for the Global Ocean Observing System during a high-level pledging event in New York, held alongside the 81st United Nations General Assembly High-Level Week.
The initiative aims to address persistent weaknesses in the global ocean-observation network at a time when reliable data is increasingly important for weather forecasting, climate modelling, maritime safety, coastal protection and the development of the blue economy.
The alliance currently comprises the European Union and 30 countries, including Canada, the United Kingdom, Germany, France, Italy, Spain, Portugal, Belgium, the Netherlands, Norway, Brazil, Mexico, South Korea and several island and coastal states.
EU and Canada provide initial funding
As part of the initiative, the EU is committing an additional €92 million to global ocean-observation activities through Horizon Europe.
Canada, which co-chairs the OceanEye alliance, has pledged C$82 million over five years to expand its national capacity to observe and monitor the ocean.
Together with commitments from the other participating partners, the total value of pledges announced so far is approaching €220 million. The support includes direct financial contributions as well as research vessels, sensors, drones, data-processing infrastructure and other assets.
The new funding will be used to maintain existing observation platforms, fill critical gaps in ocean data, reinforce the international coordination structure and strengthen the systems responsible for collecting and sharing observations.
Particular attention will be given to the Global Ocean Observing System (GOOS) Secretariat, its coordination hubs and the OceanOPS data-reporting centre.
A global network for a changing ocean
Opening the New York event, Ursula von der Leyen said that increasingly sophisticated and coordinated observation is needed to understand changes taking place beneath the ocean surface.
“As the underwater world rapidly changes, ocean observation gives us eyes and ears beneath the waves.”
She said the OceanEye initiative would create a wider international network capable of collecting the information required to better understand and protect the world's oceans.
Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney stressed the importance of international cooperation, arguing that no individual country can build a complete picture of the global ocean on its own.
“Every observation shared multiplies impact.”
The alliance, he said, is intended to combine national capabilities and data so that governments and scientists can see changes across the world's oceans more effectively.
€92 million EU package
The EU's contribution is divided into three areas.
€50 million will support GOOS observation networks directly, including the deployment of additional equipment in international waters and measures designed to improve the efficiency of the existing observing system.
A further €30 million will fund the development of new ocean-observation technologies through a challenge launched by the European Innovation Council.
The remaining €12 million will help protect and maintain international marine in-situ data flows through EMODnet for Global, supporting continued access to critical marine information.
As part of the EU's commitment, European Commissioner for Fisheries and Oceans Costas Kadis is also signing a Memorandum of Understanding with the Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission of UNESCO (IOC-UNESCO). The agreement establishes a long-term strategic partnership aimed at reinforcing international cooperation on global ocean observation.
Strengthening the Global Ocean Observing System
GOOS is jointly sponsored by IOC-UNESCO and the World Meteorological Organization (WMO). Its network currently provides approximately 120,000 ocean observations every day, drawing on around 8,000 platforms operated by 64 countries and 17 global observation networks.
The information collected by the system supports a wide range of activities, from forecasting storms and other extreme weather to monitoring climate change, improving navigation and maritime safety, protecting coastal communities and supporting marine conservation.
Ocean data also plays an increasingly important role in economic activity, including shipping, fisheries, offshore energy and other sectors of the growing blue economy.
However, the international observing system remains exposed to funding shortages and geopolitical disruption. Its continued operation depends heavily on a relatively small group of major contributors, creating vulnerabilities when financial or operational support is interrupted.
The OceanEye alliance is intended to broaden that support base and make global ocean observation more resilient.
The EU and Canada will now work with the participating countries and international organisations to improve coordination, expand membership and develop the alliance further. A further high-level OceanEye event is expected to take place at COP31. Photo by Boaventuravinicius, Wikimedia commons.