The EU and Canada secure nearly 220 million euros in pledges for Global Ocean Observation

The President of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, and the Prime Minister of Canada, Mark Carney, launched the OceanEye International Alliance for the Global Ocean Observing System at a high-level event held in New York. 

Held during the High-Level Week of the 81st United Nations General Assembly, the event brought together heads of state and government, ministers and other stakeholders to strengthen support for global ocean observation. Reliable ocean observation is essential for safe navigation, weather forecasting, climate predictions, coastal protection and a thriving blue economy. To date, 30 countries have joined the alliance.

As seed funding, the EU increased funding for ocean observation activities by an additional 92 million euros. Canada, co-chair of the OceanEye International Alliance, pledged 82 million Canadian dollars over five years to expand Canada’s ocean observation capacity . In total, contributions from all partner countries to date amount to nearly 220 million euros, comprising a combination of financial contributions, in-kind support and the provision of resources such as research vessels, sensors, drones and data-processing facilities.

The pledges will support:

• the maintenance of existing observation platforms;
• the filling of critical data gaps;
• the strengthening of the Secretariat of the Global Ocean Observing System;
• the Global Ocean Observing Systemcoordination centres ; 
• and the strengthening of the OceanOPS data reporting centre

A total of 31 members have joined the OceanEye International Alliance, including the EU and 30 countries (Angola, Belgium, Brazil, Canada, Chile, Colombia, Cape Verde, Costa Rica, Croatia, Cyprus, France, Germany, Greece, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Madagascar, Malta, Mauritius, Mexico, Norway, Namibia, Palau, Portugal, Slovenia, South Korea, Spain, the Netherlands, the Faroe Islands and the United Kingdom).  

At the opening of the event, the President of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, stated: ‘As the underwater world changes rapidly, ocean observation gives us eyes and ears beneath the waves. With OceanEye, we can gather the data needed to understand and protect our oceans. And with our OceanEye Alliance, we will have a vital global network. For a better life on our blue planet.”

Canada’s Prime Minister, Mark Carney, added: “The ocean we share cannot be understood or protected by any one nation alone. What none of us can do individually, we can achieve together. Every shared observation multiplies the impact. That is what this Alliance builds: a vision that none of us could see on our own, and that none of us can afford to lose.”

The event was organised in collaboration with the Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission of UNESCO (IOC-UNESCO) and the World Meteorological Organisation (WMO), the two co-sponsoring organisations of the Global Ocean Observing System. The EU and Canada will now work with partners to improve the coordination of global ocean observation and further strengthen the alliance. A further event is planned for COP31.

Background

As part of this broader support package, the European Union is making a substantial contribution of 92 million euros under Horizon Europe, demonstrating its firm commitment to strengthening global ocean observation.

This contribution is divided between three actions:

• €50 million to directly support the observation networks of the Global Ocean Observing System, including the deployment of further equipment on the high seas and the optimisation of the observation system;
• €30 million to develop innovative ocean observation technologies through a call for proposals by the European Innovation Council;
• €12 million to safeguard and maintain crucial international in situ marine data flows through EMODnet for Global.

As part of the EU’s contribution to the international OceanEye partnership, the Commissioner for Fisheries and Oceans, Costas Kadis, will sign a Memorandum of Understanding formally establishing a long-term strategic partnership with UNESCO’s Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission, thereby cementing the EU’s commitment to supporting Global Ocean Observation.

The Global Ocean Observing System, co-sponsored by the IOC-UNESCO and the WMO, provides around 120, 000 daily observations from 8,000 platforms operated by 64 countries and 17 global observation networks. 

These observations are essential for understanding and forecasting weather and climate, improving maritime safety, protecting coastal communities, supporting marine biodiversity and enabling sustainable ocean-based economic activities. 

However, the Global Ocean Observing System remains vulnerable to funding shortfalls and geopolitical disruptions. It still relies heavily on a limited number of major contributors. Without a broader and more stable support base, gaps in ocean data could re-emerge, jeopardising weather forecasts, climate projections and marine conservation efforts worldwide. 

Next steps

The launch event marks the start of a broader international mobilisation initiative for the period 2026–2028 and beyond. New opportunities to make financial and in-kind contributions will be offered at upcoming international meetings, such as COP31, the 12th Our Ocean Conference in Halifax, Canada, and the fourth United Nations Ocean Conference in Busan, South Korea.  

OceanEye is also presenting a vision for a European Digital Ocean System, which integrates existing European services such as the Copernicus Marine Service, EMODnet, WISE Marine and WISE Freshwater, creating a single point of access to high-quality marine data and knowledge. This system will also include the European Digital Twin of the Ocean, which will be fully operational by 2030, enabling real-time monitoring and the development of predictive models for policy-making and industry.

The OceanEye International Alliance builds on the OceanEye initiative, which the European Commission adopted in June 2026 to strengthen and expand the EU’s role in ocean observation.

As a key pillar, it aims to secure long-term funding and support for Global Ocean Observation and establishes a framework for coordinated international action, helping to ensure reliable, open and free access to ocean data and knowledge for both the EU and its international partners.

The OceanEye International Alliance also supports the implementation of United Nations Sustainable Development Goal 14 (Life Below Water) and the Agreement under the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea on the conservation and sustainable use of marine biological diversity of areas beyond national jurisdiction (BBNJ Agreement).

 

More information: European Commission