Ireland is leading the way in developing a research and innovation agenda for the Atlantic Ocean in conjunction with the next national marine research and innovation strategy, Ocean Knowledge 2030.
The All-Atlantic Ocean Research and Innovation Alliance (AAORIA) aims to enhance marine research and innovation cooperation along and across the Atlantic Ocean. With the motto ‘Connecting-Cooperating-Acting,’ this international science diplomacy effort is bringing the ‘All-Atlantic’ community together from across the Atlantic basin to advance cutting-edge ocean science.
The work of the AAORIA
AAORIA builds on the success of two cooperative agreements: the Galway Statement on Atlantic Ocean Cooperation signed by the EU, United States, and Canada in 2013 and the Belém Statement on Atlantic Ocean Research and Innovation Cooperation signed by the EU, Brazil, and South Africa in 2017, as well as on several other bilateral and multilateral agreements. The United Kingdom formally joined AAORIA through the UK’s Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs during the 2023 All-Atlantic Forum held in Cape Town, South Africa.
The Horizon Europe-funded OKEANO Coordination and Support Action (CSA) is coordinated by the Marine Institute in Ireland and provides support to AAORIA, enabling delivery of the goals of the All-Atlantic Declaration and empowering an All-Atlantic community to sustainably manage the Atlantic Ocean. The OKEANO CSA consortium comprises representatives from 16 partner organisations, ensuring a comprehensive geographical coverage along and across the Atlantic Ocean of countries that endorse the All-Atlantic Declaration.
Each year, AAORIA holds an annual Forum. The Forums support the strengthening of the All-Atlantic Ocean Research and Innovation Community and the implementation of the Galway and Belém Statements and the All-Atlantic Declaration. This year’s All-Atlantic Forum took place at the Canadian Museum of Nature in Ottawa, Canada, from 8-10 October 2024.
The OKEANO CSA organised two events as part of the 2024 All-Atlantic Forum. The first of these was a workshop on Coastal Resilience in support of one of the two AAORIA priority Areas of Action:
- Increasing our understanding of the relationship between the ocean and climate and developing outcome-oriented science for mitigating and adapting to the consequences of climate change, particularly for the benefit of increasing the resilience of coastal communities.
- Coordinating Atlantic Ocean observation and improving modelling capacities, including supporting marine ecosystems and biodiversity.
Following the 2024 All-Atlantic Forum, the High-Level Board of AAORIA issued a summary of outcomes.
Ireland’s Marine Institute
The Marine Institute’s role as coordinator of the OKEANO CSA in support of the All-Atlantic Ocean Research and Innovation Alliance aligns with a strategic priority of the Marine Institute in ‘Delivering Impact Through Research & Innovation.’ Another initiative integral to realising this strategic priority is the delivery and implementation of Ireland’s next national marine research and innovation strategy, Ocean Knowledge 2030.
Ocean Knowledge 2030
Ocean Knowledge 2030 will be Ireland’s next marine research, knowledge and innovation strategy for the period 2025-2030, developed under the coordination of the Marine Institute, in line with its mandate ‘to co-ordinate, to promote and to assist in marine research and development’. As a national strategy, it is being created in partnership with – and is collectively owned by – the multiple government departments, state agencies and other stakeholder bodies that set, inform or implement marine policy and associated policy domains (e.g. environment, economic development, energy, food, etc.) and/or fund, coordinate and manage marine-related research and innovation.
A well-defined research strategy for ocean knowledge is critical to Ireland’s future and is being shaped through collaboration with all relevant stakeholders. By working together – scientists, policymakers, industry, and communities – we are setting a focused research agenda to unlock the full potential of our ocean while safeguarding it for future generations. The Marine Ireland Industry Network are behind Ireland’s ocean economy, which makes a significant contribution to the Irish economy with an annual turnover of approximately €7.01bn – contributing close to €2.85bn in value-added goods and services as reported in Ireland’s Ocean Economy Report 2023.
The strategy will identify some of the most critical marine scientific and societal challenges that Ireland is facing, as well as the enormous opportunities presented by our extensive maritime domain and its rich resources will also document the existing, recent or forthcoming legislation and policy developments, whether at the national or EU level, that will require a knowledge-based response and the associated questions that should be the focus of our research programming and investments over the coming six years.
Dr Rick Officer, CEO of the Marine Institute, emphasised the importance of this strategy: “The Ocean Knowledge 2030 Strategy represents a new era for marine research in Ireland. This strategy is about empowering decision-makers with the knowledge, data and evidence they need to address urgent challenges like climate change, biodiversity loss, energy security and sustainable economic development.
This is not just about gathering data; it’s about using knowledge to make informed decisions that will protect and sustainably manage our ocean resources for future generations.”
“The Ocean Knowledge 2030 Strategy will mobilise Ireland’s marine research community to deliver new levels of innovation and impact. The strategy will provide a roadmap for Ireland to build on its strengths in marine science while fostering collaboration across sectors and positioning the country as a global leader in ocean science and policy.”
For further information please go to www.marine.ie
Disclaimer
The OKEANO CSA has received funding from the European Union’s Horizon Europe Research and Innovation Programme under Grant Agreement No. 101158065.
Please note, this article will also appear in the 20th edition of our quarterly publication.
