The Baku Ocean Declaration has been issued ahead of the 29th United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) Conference of the Parties (COP29), being held in Baku, Azerbaijan, 11-22 November. EMODnet is among the signatories of the declaration which emphasizes the crucial role that knowledge about the ocean plays in the well-being of people and communities, as well as the health of ecosystems worldwide, and the need for robust, long-term investments in ocean observations, research, and mapping to support efforts that will help meet key objectives of UN conventions on climate, biodiversity, and desertification.

Mark your calendars for the 4th edition of the EMODnet Open Sea Lab (OSL) Hackathon, happening online from 25 to 27 March 2025. The hackathon builds on the last 3 successful editions, with one key difference: In addition to using EMODnet services, participants will be given unparalleled access to the EMODnet and Copernicus Marine Service offer via the European Digital Twin Ocean infrastructure (EDITO). This is a very exciting time for marine digital services, and we invite all interested stakeholders, from data scientists to IT specialists and from policy makers to researchers, students and the private sector to join EMODnet in this unique hackathon - Stay tuned for more details, coming soon!

On 8 November 2024 JPI Oceans and Climate launched the 1st Assessment Report by the Knowledge Hub on Sea Level Rise. EMODnet was a key contributor with expert input to Chapters and to the editorial process. The webinar shared key highlights from the report and fostered discussions on the latest state-of-the-art in sea level rise data and knowledge, and how these can be used for coastal zone management, adaptation and mitigation. Access the recording, presentations and read all the highlights: Ocean Knowledge 2030: Advancing Ocean Data and Digitalisation.

On 21 November 2024, EMODnet’s Technical Coordinator, Conor Delaney, presented EMODnet at the Ocean Knowledge 2030 Conference held in Dublin, Ireland. The event focused on a National Irish strategy for Ocean Knowledge to 2030. Ireland is an active data provider and user of EMODnet and in the final session, Conor Delaney showcased the key role of Member States in the EMODnet value chain, and spoke on a panel focused on the pivotal role of ocean data and digitalisation in shaping public policy and driving a sustainable ocean economy.

EMODnet joined the Ocean Predict Symposium 2024 that took place at the UNESCO headquarters in Paris, France from 18-22 November. EMODnet presented a poster focusing on EMODnet Physics data supporting Copernicus Marine Service and Ocean Prediction, and the EMODnet Secretariat joined a roundtable, bringing EMODnet's regional expertise to a panel discussion on the implementation of the UN Ocean Decade's Ocean Digital Ecosystem.

EMODnet was presented during Marine User Days 2024, hosted by EUMETSAT in Lisbon, Portugal, on 6-7 November 2024, in collaboration with Copernicus Marine Service. Represented by EU MARE, EMODnet’s services were showcased in Plenary and at an exhibition stand that attracted marine data users from diverse sectors. The highly interactive event highlighted how EU marine data services, including EMODnet, address a wide range of user needs, supporting research, policy-making, and sustainable marine management.

Registration is now open for the AIVP Annual Conference, the premier event for all things port cities! Scheduled for 27-29 November 2024 in Lisbon, Portugal, this year’s conference, themed “Open Piers: Steering Flows Between People, Planet, and Port Cities,” will feature a dynamic line-up of discussions, expert panels, and networking opportunities with industry leaders. Don’t miss this chance to engage with top professionals and gain insights into the future of port cities. Sign up for the event here.

Join the Ocean Predict (OP) 2024 Conference from November 18-22 2024, to be held at the IOC-UNESCO headquarters in Paris, France. This event is specifically designed to strengthen cooperation and partnerships among diverse ocean science and service communities. The event will address sustainable development, the blue economy, and societal awareness. OP 24 will feature sessions on ocean predictions, covering global, basin-scale, coastal, regional, and polar ocean and sea ice predictions. Attendees will explore new developments in measurements, observations, modeling, data assimilation, machine learning/AI, and digital twins.

Get ready for the OceanPredict '24 Symposium, the premier event for ocean prediction and marine forecasting, taking place 4-8 November 2024, in Paris, France! Join global experts, researchers, and stakeholders to explore the latest innovations in ocean modeling, forecasting, and data assimilation. This conference is your chance to connect with leading minds in the field and contribute to the future of ocean prediction.

Get ready for OceanPredict '24, the premier event for ocean prediction and marine forecasting, happening from November 4-8, 2024, in Paris, France. Join global experts, researchers, and stakeholders to explore the latest innovations in ocean modeling, forecasting, and data assimilation. This conference is your chance to connect with leading minds in the field and contribute to the future of ocean prediction.
More information and registration: https://www.oceanpredict24.org/

The Baku Ocean Declaration has been issued ahead of the 29th United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) Conference of the Parties (COP29), being held in Baku, Azerbaijan,11-22 November 2024. EMODnet is among the signatories of the declaration which emphasizes the crucial role that knowledge about the ocean plays in the well-being of people and communities, as well as the health of ecosystems worldwide, and the need for robust, long-term investments in ocean observations, research, and mapping to support efforts that will help meet key objectives of UN conventions on climate, biodiversity, and desertification. For more information visit the website.  

Registration is now open for the launch webinar of the Knowledge Hub’s First Assessment Report on Sea Level Rise in Europe. This comprehensive report represents a two-year collaborative effort involving over 70 leading climate and marine experts and contributions from various stakeholders. The webinar will provide an in-depth look into the report’s findings, covering key topics such as sea level rise observations, future projections, impacts, adaptation strategies, and governance challenges. Attendees will also have the opportunity to engage directly with the report’s lead authors during a Q&A session. Register to join the webinar online.

On 1 October 2024 EMODnet’s partner Dick Schaap (MARIS) presented EMODnet and specifically the EMODnet Chemistry eutrophication offer at a meeting organized by Copernicus Marine Service and OSPAR on ocean eutrophication and ocean acidification. The presentation explored needs and requirements by OSPAR Working Groups for data/data products and the value of combining satellite and in situ data. Also discussed were EMODnet’s collaborations with OSPAR as the Regional Sea Convention (RSC) for the Northeast Atlantic Ocean.

On 23 October 2024, the EMODnet Secretariat attended the launch event in Brussels, Belgium, of the European Marine Board (EMB) Navigating the Future Six (NFVI), the latest edition in its marine science policy foresight series. EC DG MARE Delilah Al Khudhairy spoke at the event, with interventions also from EC RTD and JPI Oceans, among others. NFVI provides essential scientific guidance for governments, policymakers, and funders on the Ocean's vital role within the Earth system, outlining priority marine research and identifies key collaborators needed to tackle global challenges, focusing on four themes: Ocean and People, Ocean and Climate, Ocean and Freshwater, and Ocean and Biodiversity. Marine knowledge is a cross-cutting requirements across all of these themes and EMODnet Head of Secretariat, Kate Larkin, took the floor to note that EMODnet is ready to continue serving marine research, policy and Blue Economy needs for such integrated marine knowledge. Download Navigating the Future VI and discover research recommendations for a sustainable future.

EMODnet’s Bathymetry Coordinator, Shom, France, EMODnet Human Activities experts and the EMODnet Secretariat were among EMODnet experts at the Maritime Spatial Planning (MSP) Week Conference in Marseille, France on 22-24 October, celebrating a decade of EU achievements. Conor Delaney, EMODnet Technical Coordinator, spoke on the panel “Data, Innovation, and Harmonisation within MSP” highlighting EMODnet’s key role in shaping European MSP, including making EU Member State MSP plans available in geospatial format.

Discussing the scientific and technical basis for coordinating, standardising and harmonising the monitoring of seafloor litter and the management of associated data at a global level was the aim of the recent international workshop in China. EMODnet Chemistry was one of the speakers at this invitation-only event, representing the full network, and in particular bringing its long-standing expertise in delivering the European marine litter database, in collaboration with the Joint Research Centre and Technical Group on Marine Litter of the EU MSFD. During the workshop it was emphasised that EMODnet could play an important role in the definition and development of the global database.

The Ocean Decade envisions "the science we need for the ocean we want" and serves as a global framework, bringing together diverse sectors to co-design and implement the knowledge and partnerships required for a comprehensive understanding of the ocean. This collaborative effort aims to deliver science-based solutions in support of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. To realize this vision, the Ocean Decade is inviting partners to submit transformative Decade Action programmes, projects, or activities that contribute to achieving these goals. You are encouraged to request endorsement for your initiatives through this Call for Decade Actions and play a vital role in advancing sustainable ocean science.

On 10 October 2024, EMODnet, Copernicus Marine Service and EUMETSAT delivered the second webinar in the EU Ocean Data Series bringing together experts – including early career ocean professionals - to explore how Earth observation, in situ, and modelled marine data support the UN Ocean Decade initiative. The session demonstrated the EU marine data service offer and tools across three key UN Ocean Decade challenges: understanding and combating marine pollution, protecting and restoring ecosystems and biodiversity, and unlocking ocean-based solutions to climate change.

At the Ocean Best Practices Workshop VIII, held from October 14-18, 2024, EMODnet and Copernicus Marine Service collaborated to present best practices for enhancing data and service interoperability within the European Digital Twin of the Ocean (EU DTO). During the session on 16 October 2024, EMODnet Biology Coordinator Joana Beja (VLIZ) presented on its conventions used, with wider discussions on critical standards for data integration, focusing on the EDITO-Infra project, which aims to create a robust EU infrastructure supporting the EU DTO.

At the international workshop titled "AOMI Database: Enhancing Ocean Microplastics Monitoring", EMODnet Chemistry showcased how marine litter data are managed within the project. Held on 8 October 2024 and led by Japan’s Ministry of the Environment, the workshop provided a practical demonstration of the Atlas of Ocean Microplastics (AOMI).