EU and Canada Launch OceanEye Alliance for Global Ocean Observation with €211 Million Pledge

The European Union and Canada have launched the OceanEye International Alliance for Global Ocean Observation at a high-level pledging event in New York. The event, held during the 81st UN General Assembly High-Level Week, aimed to strengthen support for global ocean observation.

The alliance brings together heads of state and governments, ministers, and stakeholders to ensure reliable ocean observation for safe navigation, weather forecasting, climate predictions, coastal protection, and a thriving blue economy. So far, 30 countries have joined the alliance.

The EU has pledged an additional €92 million as seed funding for Ocean observation activities under Horizon Europe. Canada has committed C$82 million CDN over five years to expand its ability to observe the ocean. The total pledges from all partner countries amount to at least €211 million, with a mix of financial contributions, in-kind support, and provision of assets such as research vessels, sensors, drones, and data-processing facilities.

The OceanEye International Alliance will support various aspects of global ocean observation, including the maintenance of existing platforms, closure of critical data gaps, strengthening of the Global Ocean Observing System Secretariat, coordination hubs, and reinforcement of the OceanOPS data-reporting centre. The alliance also sets out a vision for a European Digital Ocean System, bringing together existing European services to create a single-entry point for high-quality ocean data and marine knowledge.