Overview   Policy

Join us online on 13 November 2025 (15:00–16:30 CET) for the official launch of the EMODnet Vision 2035 — a forward-looking strategy outlining the next decade of Europe’s marine data services. Discover EMODnet’s core assets and strategic pillars, explore how its services are driving progress in policy, science, the Blue Economy, and society, and hear directly from members of the EMODnet Vision Drafting Group, representing partners and stakeholders across the marine data value chain. Register today and join the discussion.

The UN Ocean Decade corporate data group has released new guidelines on marine megafauna data sharing, aimed at companies working in the marine environment who collect data on large marine animals (megafauna). This follows a previous guideline on Bathymetry data guidelines with more to come.

How is ocean data shaping global governance and policymaking? The ERC research project TwinPolitics is investigating this question through a new international survey exploring how ocean data, knowledge, and emerging technologies—such as the Digital Twin of the Ocean (DTO)—inform decision-making. The survey is open to policymakers, diplomats, researchers, NGOs, and stakeholders involved in ocean governance. Available in six UN languages and German, it takes around 15 minutes to complete and aims to identify how ocean data is used, what challenges exist, and how it can better support policy. Take the survey: https://univie.questionpro.eu/oceandatasurvey

At the Living Data 2025 conference, which took place 21–24 October 2025 in Bogotá, Colombia, EMODnet Biology showcased its diverse work through several presentations, highlighting the consortium’s broad activities and its connections to other European and global marine-data initiatives.

EMODnet’s Chemistry experts presented at SciDataCon 2025, an integral part of International Data Week 2025 which took place in Brisbane, Australia, 13-16 October 2025. Taking part in a session on the transformative role of data in SDGs and disaster resilience, EMODnet presented on how its service supports international marine policy against marine pollution. This included A wide range of EMODnet use cases, involving various types of data providers and users. The marine knowledge value chain at the European and global levels was also explained, together with highlighting EMODnet’s key role as a regional data service. The EMODnet Chemistry representative concluded with a call to action to facilitate dialogue between scientists and policymakers.

The Digital Ocean Forum 2025 (DOF) will take place on 27–28 November in Brussels, marking an important milestone in the co-development of the European Digital Twin Ocean (EDITO). As the in situ marine data component, EMODnet plays a key role in EDITO and is co-organising the DOF with EMODnet experts also contributing to high-level discussions, demonstrations, and technical sessions shaping Europe’s digital ocean future. The event will unveil Phase 2 of EDITO which includes wider onboarding of stakeholders.

The 18th EMODnet Technical Working Group meeting took place on 14–15 October, chaired by the EMODnet Secretariat and supported by the EMODnet Portal Technical Team. The TWG gathered technical experts from across EMODnet’s seven thematics and Data Ingestion, together with EC DG MARE and CINEA, to discuss the latest developments in EMODnet’s core services, thematic offer and data ingestion, including cross-cutting topics such as metadata harmonisation and EMODnet’s collective contribution to EDITO. The meeting was chaired by EMODnet Secretariat and EC DG MARE.

The stage is set for the EMODnet Open Conference 2025, taking place on 25–26 November in Brussels with the launch of the full programme online. The event titled “EMODnet: an essential marine data service for the European Ocean Pact” will bring together EMODnet partners and wider marine data experts, policymakers, scientists, non-governmental organisations, the private sector and more to explore how EMODnet is a cornerstone of EU Marine Knowledge central to delivering the European Ocean Pact, and how EMODnet can further evolve to meet emerging EU policy, Blue Economy and wider user needs.

Abstract submissions are now open for the Living Data 2025 conference, taking place on 21–24 October 2025 in Bogotá, Colombia. Join the global biodiversity data community to discuss everything from technical advances in data standards to the role of data in science-policy action. Deadline: 20 May 2025.

Find more information: Living Data 2025 - Information that together, transforms 

Join the European Marine Science Educators Association (EMSEA) from 6–9 October 2025 in Ostend, Belgium, for a special 10th anniversary edition of its annual conference. EMSEA 2025 will celebrate a decade of impact in ocean literacy while bringing together educators, researchers, practitioners, and policymakers to share best practices, innovative tools, and collaborative approaches for shaping the future of ocean education across Europe and beyond.

Learn more and register: https://www.emseanet.eu/conferences/2025-ostend-belgium

Register now for the EMODnet Open Conference 2025, taking place on 25–26 November 2025 in Brussels, Belgium that will showcase EMODnet as an essential marine data service for the European Ocean Pact, EU Ocean Observation Initiative, European Digital Twin Ocean (EU DTO) and global digital ocean data ecosystem.

The Conference will also present the EMODnet community Vision 2035 and will include dialogues on EMODnet's future service evolution. The EMODnet Conference is held back-to-back with the Digital Ocean Forum 2025, as part of a European Marine Knowledge Week.

We kindly invite you to register to attend and share the invitation throughout your network.

We look forward to seeing you at OC2025!

Join us on 25–26 November 2025 in Brussels for the fourth EMODnet Open Conference, a flagship event in Brussels that will showcase EMODnet as an essential marine data service for the European Ocean Pact and a core marine knowledge pillar for the EU Ocean Observation Initiative and European Digital Twin Ocean (EU DTO). The Conference will also present the EMODnet community Vision 2035 which includes recommendations to strengthen and evolve the EMODnet service to meet emerging Marine Knowledge needs. The EMODnet Conference is held back-to-back with the Digital Ocean Forum 2025, as part of a European Marine Knowledge Week. Register now to secure your place: link

The World Conference on Marine Biodiversity 2026 (WCMB2026) will take place in Oostende, Belgium, 18–22 May 2026, bringing together researchers, policymakers, conservation practitioners, industry and citizen science. Abstract submission is now open, with registration to follow on 17 November 2025. EMODnet will host a session on Demonstrating the Power of Cross-Thematic Open and FAIR Data for Evidence-Based Marine Biodiversity and Ecosystem Decision-Making: The EMODnet Example. Learn more and submit your abstract: here

Save the Date for the CoastPredict and GlobalCoast Annual Assemblies will take place in Mérida, Yucatán, Mexico, from 21–24 April 2026. CoastPredict is a programme under the UN Decade of Ocean Science for Sustainable Development, aiming to transform coastal forecasting and knowledge. These assemblies will bring together global experts to advance coastal resilience and data-driven decision-making. With strong synergies to EMODnet, which provides essential marine data to support coastal and ocean EU and global initiatives, this event will be a key moment for collaboration across science, policy, and data communities. Registration and more information coming soon on the dedicated website.

A new IODE Data Management Plan (DMP) guide has been released to support ocean projects and programmes in ensuring that marine data are properly collected, documented, stored, and shared throughout their lifecycle. This resource underscores the importance of planning for data accessibility and preservation from the outset, helping to improve data maturity, literacy, and compliance. Services, like EMODnet, play a key role in this process, offering open access to harmonised marine datasets that align with FAIR principles and support evidence-based decision-making. The DMP guide includes a detailed template covering ethical, legal, and technical considerations, making it an essential resource for any marine data initiative. Review the full DMP here.

Published this year by the IOC UNESCO, the MSPglobal Data Toolbox offers a comprehensive guide for establishing and managing a Spatial Data Infrastructure (SDI) to support effective Marine Spatial Planning (MSP). Among its key outputs is the European MSP data layer, developed by EMODnet, which serves as a vital communication tool for planners, stakeholders, and decision-makers. By providing high-quality, harmonised marine data, EMODnet plays a central role in enabling evidence-based regulatory measures and visualising the outcomes of planning processes. This Toolbox is a valuable resource for coastal and marine authorities, aligning with global efforts under the UN Decade of Ocean Science for Sustainable Development to advance sustainable ocean governance. View the full MSPglobal Data Toolbox here.

In June, the 2025 UN Ocean Conference (UNOC3), held in Nice, France, brought together thousands of stakeholders under the theme “Accelerating action and mobilizing all actors to conserve and sustainably use the ocean.” A new Stakeholder Engagement Impact Report, published by UN DESA, captures the depth of participation and global mobilisation around ocean sustainability—including contributions to the Nice Ocean Action Plan. With nearly 6,000 stakeholder participants and over 450 side events, the report highlights the power of inclusive dialogue. Initiatives like EMODnet, which provide open access to marine data, play a vital role in supporting evidence-based action and informed decision-making across many of the themes discussed at UNOC3. Read the full report here

On 25 September 2025, the EMODnet Secretariat and EC DG MARE presented at the fourth EU Ocean Decade webinar, co-organised by EMODnet, Copernicus Marine, EUMETSAT and the Early Career Ocean Professionals (ECOP) network. EMODnet highlighted its many contributions to Ocean Decade challenges, including as an EU component global in situ ocean observation and marine data (Challenge 7) and on training, capacity building and ocean literacy, including EMODnet’s Marine Knowledge used in the EC communication tool, the European Atlas of the Seas (Challenges 9 & 10). And the EC and Secretariat presented on EMODnet’s core role in Europe and beyond in Digital Twins of the Ocean (Challenge 8).

Registration is now open for the Digital Ocean Forum 2025 (DOF 2025), taking place on 27–28 November 2025 in Brussels. This event is part of a 'Marine Knowledge Week' which includes the EMODnet Open Conference on 25-26 November. DOF 2025 will bring together policymakers, innovators, researchers and the wider ocean community to take stock of recent progress and explore new opportunities for co-creating the European Digital Twin Ocean (EDITO). Organised by the European Commission in collaboration with Mercator Ocean International, Flanders Marine Institute and Seascape Belgium, the Forum will feature policy discussions, technical workshops, community use cases, and a live demonstration of the EDITO platform. Register now to join in person or online.

Join us online on 18 September 2025, 15:00–16:30 CEST for the official launch of EMODnet Vision 2035 – a forward-looking communication developed by the EMODnet community on opportunities and priority areas for EMODnet service evolution over the next decade. Discover EMODnet’s core assets and key pillars, explore how EMODnet is already making a difference to support policy, science, the Blue Economy and society, and hear directly from the EMODnet Vision Drafting Group representing the EMOD-network and key actors across the EMODnet value chain.