EMODnet Call to Action launched at the 3rd Open Conference and Jamboree
This week, over 340 EMODnet partners, associated partners and wider stakeholders gathered in Brussels, Belgium for the third EMODnet Open Conference and Jamboree to discuss EMODnet’s critical and expanding role in powering the European Marine Data Ecosystem: "For a digital and green future”.
The Programme stock of EMODnet’s evolution to-date and showcased the EMODnet EC marine in situ data service, its recent unification in January 2023, and its diverse community of ocean observation and data collectors, data and service providers and users. It also recognised EMODnet and Copernicus Marine Service as complementary EU assets, and underlined EMODnet’s key role in the development of the European Digital Twin of the Ocean (EU DTO), for which the two EC marine data services EMODnet and the Copernicus Marine Service work in close partnership. The impact of EMODnet in Europe and worldwide was also clear from the dialogues on EMODnet for EU Policy, Blue Economy, Society and the Global Ocean Data Ecosystem.
In the Closing Session on 30th November 2023, Kate Larkin (Head of EMODnet Secretariat) presented an EMODnet Call to Action on behalf of the EMODnet Partnership.
The Call to Action identifies a number of key areas where EMODnet will continue to evolve through well-identified opportunities on the way to 2035:
- Expanding and consolidating EMODnet’s offer as the European focal point for in situ data, data products and services for the Ocean, land-sea interface and, when possible, inland waters;
- Emphasizing EMODnet’s core role for in situ marine knowledge, supporting establishment of the European Ocean Observing System, and development of the EC Ocean Observation initiative;
- Consolidating EMODnet as an authority for interoperable in situ marine data services and infrastructures, driving innovation for the EU Digital Twin Ocean DTO;
- Consolidating European marine data service community resources, best practices and standards;
- Leveraging EMODnet’s interoperable marine data/metadata in the global ocean data ecosystem.
It also recognises that to continue delivering on the existing services, whilst also expanding services to address the needs of the Green and Digital Transitions, EMODnet requires community and political action to ensure sustainability and resources appropriate for a fully functioning, operational service of the European Commission.
It then calls on key actors in the marine and maritime community in Europe and beyond to work with EMODnet to further shape its evolution and impact.
The full Call to Action is available here.