Today, President of the European Commission Ursula von der Leyen and Prime Minister of Canada Mark Carney launched the OceanEye International Alliance for the Global Ocean Observing System at a high‑level pledging event in New York.
Held during the 81st UN General Assembly High‑Level Week, the event brought together heads of state and governments, ministers and 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. In total, 30 countries have joined the alliance so far.
As seed funding, the EU increased the funding for Ocean observation activities with an additional €92 million. The Co-Chair of the OceanEye International Alliance, Canada, pledged C$82 million CDN over five years to expand Canada's ability to observe the ocean. Altogether, the pledges from all partner countries so far amount to at least €211 million, with a mix of financial contributions, in‑kind support and the provision of assets such as research vessels, sensors, drones and data‑processing facilities.
The pledges will support:
- the maintenance of existing observation platforms;
- the closure of critical data gaps;
- the strengthening of the Global Ocean Observing System Secretariat;
- the Global Ocean Observing System coordination hubs;
- and the reinforcement 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, Cabo 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).
Opening the event, President of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen said: "As the underwater world rapidly changes, ocean observation gives us eyes and ears beneath the waves. With OceanEye, we can gather the data we need to understand and protect our ocean. And with our OceanEye Alliance, we will have a vital network across the world. For a better life with and on our blue planet."
Prime Minister of Canada, Mark Carney, added: "The ocean we share cannot be understood, or protected, by any nation alone. What none of us can do individually, we can achieve together. Every observation shared multiplies impact. That is what this Alliance builds: a picture none of us could see by ourselves, and none of us can afford to lose."
The event was organised in partnership with the Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission of UNESCO (IOC‑UNESCO) and the World Meteorological Organization (WMO), the two co-sponsoring organisations of the Global Ocean Observing System. The EU and Canada will now engage with the partners to improve coordination for global Ocean observation and make the alliance grow further. A next event is planned at COP31.
Background
Within this wider package of support, the European Union is making a substantial contribution of €92 million under Horizon Europe, demonstrating its firm commitment to strengthening global ocean observation.
This contribution is allocated across 3 actions:
- €50 million to directly support the Global Ocean Observing System observing networks, including the deployment of more equipment in the high seas and the optimisation of the observing system;
- €30 million to develop innovative ocean observation technologies through a European Innovation Council challenge;
- €12 million to safeguard and maintain crucial international marine in-situ data flows, through EMODnet for Global.
As part of the contribution of the EU to the OceanEye International alliance, Commissioner for fisheries and oceans Costas Kadis will sign today a Memorandum of Understanding formally setting a long-term strategic partnership with the Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission of UNESCO, crystallising the EU's commitment to support Global Ocean Observation.
The Global Ocean Observing System, co‑sponsored by IOC‑UNESCO and the WMO, delivers around 120 000 observations per day from 8,000 platforms operated by 64 countries and 17 global observation networks.
These observations are indispensable for understanding and forecasting weather and climate, improving maritime safety, protecting coastal communities, supporting marine biodiversity and enabling sustainable ocean-based economic activities.
Yet, the Global Ocean Observing System remains vulnerable to financial 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 effort for 2026-2028 and beyond. Further opportunities to make financial and in-kind pledges will be offered at upcoming international gatherings, including COP31, the 12th Our Ocean Conference held in Halifax, Canada, and the fourth UN Ocean Conference, in Busan, South Korea.
OceanEye also sets out a vision for a European Digital Ocean System, bringing together existing European services such as the Copernicus Marine Service,EMODnet, WISE Marine, and WISE Freshwater, creating a single-entry point for high-quality ocean data and marine knowledge. This system will also include the European Digital Twin Ocean, set to be fully operational by 2030, enabling real-time monitoring and predictive modelling for policy and industry.
The OceanEye International Alliance builds on the OceanEye initiative , which the European Commission adopted in June 2026 to strengthen and broaden the EU's role in ocean observation.
As a core pillar, it aims to secure long-term funding and support for Global Ocean Observation and establishes a framework for coordinated international action, helping to guarantee 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).
