12 October 2021 saw the official kick-off event of the Copernicus Marine and WEkEO Services in the next phase of the European Union’s world-leading Copernicus Earth Observation programme (2021 to 2027). This event marked the continued implementation of the two Services by Mercator Ocean International’s on behalf of the European Union beyond the initial phase 2015 to 2021.
Hosted by the European Commission’s Directorate-General for Defence, Space and Industry (DG DEFIS) – responsible for the Copernicus programme, the event took place in Brussels with representatives from MOi.
The DG DEFIS Director-General, Timo Pesonen opened the event with key messages on the Marine’s Service results and the European Commissions’ ambitions for Copernicus and its Services in Copernicus 2 (2021 – 2027).
On behalf of the Marine Service, Pierre Bahurel, Director General of MOi presented the Service’s achievements over the last seven years and the road map for the next seven years. The event also discussed how to ensure the Marine Service has a robust digital component, capitalising on artificial intelligence and high-performance computing that will be supported by the WEkEO infrastructure, and expanding Copernicus Marine’s international dimension.
This kick-off event follows the signing of the official agreement on 22 July 2021 between DG DEFIS and MOi for MOi to continue operating and developing the Marine Service, and the user component of the WEkEO service for the next seven years.
After seven years of successful implementation, innovation, collaboration and knowledge sharing, MOi is fully committed to ensuring that the Copernicus Marine and WEkEO Services continue to be an integral part of the Copernicus programme, the European and International marine monitoring ecosystem, and a valuable tool to support EU policies and objectives.
Representatives from DG DEFIS and Mercator Ocean International (MOi) during Copernicus Marine and WEkEO 2 kick-off event 12 Oct 2021 Left to right: Matthias Petschke (DG DEFIS SPACE DIRECTOR), Christine Bernot (DG DEFIS Head of Unit Financial Management and Internal Control), Fabienne Jacq (DG DEFIS Policy Officer), Richard Gilmore (DG DEFIS Policy Officer), Mauro Facchini (DG DEFIS Head of Unit Earth Observation), Fédérique Ponchaut (MOi Executive Officer), Pierre Bahurel (Director-General MOi), Pierre-Yves Le-Traon (MOi Scientific Director), Laurence Crosnier (MOi Head of Marketing and Communication Service), Alain Arnaud (WEkEO DIAS Programme Manager at MOi)
Pierre Bahurel, Mercator Ocean’s Director General at kick off of Copernicus Marine and WEkEO Services in Copernicus 2 (2021 – 2027)