Following the international SOS Ocean event in Paris, Mercator Ocean International confirms its commitment to its role in scientific innovation and its support for international initiatives for sustainable Ocean management.
The SOS Ocean Manifesto was presented in Paris on Sunday March 31 by opinion leaders, policymakers, scientists and Ocean advocates from around the world. It is a call for action on the Ocean, and highlights Mercator Ocean’s essential contributions to observing and understanding the marine environment, including:
- The development of innovative tools, such as the Digital Twin of the Ocean developed by Mercator Ocean for the EU
- Mercator Ocean’s transition to an Intergovernmental Organization (IGO)
Pierre Bahurel, Director General of Mercator Ocean International, was present at SOS Ocean. He said: “The demand for reliable and actionable Ocean knowledge is clear. Thousands of users on all continents, ranging from scientists to operators and policymakers, demand accessible and verified information to inform Ocean governance. SOS Ocean, and soon UNOC, are opportunities to demonstrate how this ‘science in action’ can meet the urgent needs of decision-making and European sovereignty.“
SOS Ocean calls for an ambitious action plan to address major Ocean challenges and prepare for the third United Nations Ocean Conference (UNOC), scheduled for June this year.
Three major movements for digital Oceanography to meet the challenges
To respond to the pressing demand for reliable, science-based and actionable marine environment knowledge, Mercator Ocean focuses on three strategic priorities:
- A new governance of the organization: The evolution of Mercator Ocean to intergovernmental organization status will strengthen international coordination and ensure the sustainability of Ocean forecasting services. The future governance of Mercator Ocean will provide a stable framework for the development and sharing of knowledge, while ensuring a balanced representation of member states’ interests, and creating a European trust space essential to address global challenges related to Ocean health. The intergovernmental organization process is now open to 31 member states, with the aim to finalise the convention in time to allow for its opening signature at UNOC.
- A technological breakthrough with the Digital Twin: Thanks to the development of advanced technologies like the Digital Twin of the Ocean, Mercator Ocean multiplies its capacity to gather, create, and share reliable data on the marine environment, accessible to all. The Digital Twin will help in anticipating environmental challenges such as plastic pollution or coastal erosion, while supporting sustainable maritime policies. The Digital Twin of the Ocean will be presented and accessible to all at the European Digital Ocean Pavilion at UNOC.
- An engaged international community: Acting within the framework of actions supported by the Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission of UNESCO, Mercator Ocean federates a global network of Ocean forecasting centres while actively contributing to capacity development on all continents. Key actors of this new Oceanography, like Costa Rica, will be present at UNOC and at the European Digital Ocean Pavilion to testify to their common commitment to open, operational digital Oceanography.
Objective UNOC: Highlighting European expertise
Mercator Ocean is actively preparing for UNOC, which will be held in Nice in three months. The organization will coordinate the European Digital Ocean Pavilion on behalf of the European Commission, highlighting European contributions to global Ocean governance and the importance of digital Oceanography.
The pavilion will show the integration of cross-cutting digital technologies, including satellite and in situ observations, artificial intelligence, and cutting-edge modelling, to provide a dynamic view of the ocean’s past, present, and future. Through state-of-the-art simulations, multimedia screens, and interactive installations, visitors will be able to visualize ocean processes, explore “what-if” scenarios, and better understand the ocean’s vital signs. The Pavilion underscores Europe’s commitment to harnessing digital innovation for informed decision-making, sustainable ocean management, and global collaboration in ocean conservation.
Read the press release in French here.
