{"id":355417,"date":"2025-06-26T11:15:22","date_gmt":"2025-06-26T11:15:22","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/eodatahub.com\/index.php\/2025\/06\/26\/observer-europes-digital-ocean-showcased-at-third-un-ocean-conference\/"},"modified":"2025-06-26T11:15:22","modified_gmt":"2025-06-26T11:15:22","slug":"observer-europes-digital-ocean-showcased-at-third-un-ocean-conference","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/eodatahub.com\/index.php\/2025\/06\/26\/observer-europes-digital-ocean-showcased-at-third-un-ocean-conference\/","title":{"rendered":"OBSERVER: Europe’s Digital Ocean showcased at third UN Ocean Conference"},"content":{"rendered":"

OBSERVER: Europe’s Digital Ocean showcased at third UN Ocean Conference
\nevan<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

Thu, 26\/06\/2025 – 13:15
\n<\/span><\/p>\n

During the Third UN Ocean Conference (UNOC3) in Nice, France, the European Digital Ocean Pavilion demonstrated digital innovation, science-based policy, and international collaboration for Ocean protection. Located in the Palais des Expositions from 2 to13 June, the Pavilion provided visitors a deep dive on how the EU is using digital data, numerical models, satellite data, and partnerships to protect the Ocean. In this Observer, we look at a few highlights from this milestone international event.<\/h5>\n

From 2 to 13 June, European contributions to Ocean science, management, and protection were on display at the European Digital Ocean Pavilion at the Third UN Ocean Conference (UNOC3). More than just an exhibition space, the Pavilion served as Europe\u2019s centre for Ocean innovation at UNOC3.\u00a0Organized with the support of the European Commission,\u00a0it showcased a powerful portfolio of technologies, including the Copernicus Marine Service, EMODnet (European Marine Observation and Data Network), and the new European Digital Twin Ocean\u00a0<\/strong>(EU DTO), a trio of pioneering tools designed to monitor and protect the Ocean.<\/p>\n\n

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A demonstration of the EU DTO was given to President Ursula von der Leyen who praised the EU DTO as \u201can incredible tool\u201d.\u00a0Credit: Mercator Ocean International \/ Philippe Fitte.<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

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Digital twin, real impact<\/h3>\n

At the heart of the Pavilion was the EU DTO, a next generation virtual replica of the Ocean designed to simulate real-time Ocean conditions and future scenarios. In the latest stages of development through EU-funded projects, the EU DTO draws on the Copernicus Marine Service and EMODnet, blending artificial intelligence, data, and numerical modelling into a dynamic system which simulates everything from turtle migrations to plastic drift patterns.<\/p>\n

The EU DTO\u2019s promise? Evidence and science-based decision-making which is accessible to policymakers and the public alike. The EU DTO is not just a technological platform, but a policy-enabling infrastructure.<\/p>\n

\u201cAnd we won\u2019t stop here. We heard the call from France and others, and we will invest heavily in ocean research. Building on the EU DTO, we launched a new ocean observing initiative.\u201d \u2013\u00a0<\/em>Ursula von der Leyen, President of the European Commission<\/p>\n

The EU DTO was featured in the DECIDE area of the Pavilion, where visitors could explore different scenarios through live demonstrations: What happens if seagrass restoration scales up? How might reduced plastic pollution shift coastal pollution maps?<\/p>\n\n

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The European Ocean Pact presented in the INSPIRE area of the EU Digital Ocean Pavilion. Credit: Mercator Ocean International \/ Philippe Fitte.<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

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The EU DTO is also a key component of the newly launched European Ocean Pact. The Pact, announced on 6 June, brings together the EU\u2019s Ocean-related policies under a single framework, with priorities including Ocean health, a sustainable blue economy, and resilient coastal communities. The EU DTO provides the digital infrastructure to support these goals. This was underscored by a political signal of increased investment in Ocean research.<\/p>\n

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Europe\u2019s call to the world<\/h3>\n

The pavilion wasn\u2019t just about Europe talking to itself. Backed by DG DEFIS, with strategic support from DG RTD, DG MARE, and DG INTPA, the Pavilion served as a platform for Europe\u2019s broader push for international cooperation on Ocean health. \u201cWe are ready,\u201d<\/em> insisted Pierre Bahurel of Mercator Ocean International and Head of the Copernicus Marine Service. \u201cWe have the frameworks, data, knowledge, and technology in place. We are coordinated, capable, and ready to act.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n

\u201cThis call for action action is very timely\u2026 We have seen the Ocean pact on Monday. And if you look at the six pillars of the Ocean pact, you look at the priorities and they fit very effectively.\u201d<\/em> \u2013 Alessandra Cacciari, Programme Officer at DG DEFIS<\/p>\n

This call was echoed at the One Science Congress during a high-level Town Hall during which global stakeholders called for\u00a0expanding Ocean forecasting capacity in regions where it is most needed. Projects like OPERA\u00a0(Ocean Prediction Enhancement in Regions of Africa) and Ocean Prediction for Costa Rica show how the EU is already transferring expertise and supporting local digital ocean capabilities.<\/p>\n

\u201cThis Decade Collaborative Centre is a network which is essential to the Ocean Decade framework.\u201d\u00a0<\/em>\u2013 Alison Clausen, Deputy Global Coordinator\u00a0of the UN Decade of Ocean Science<\/p>\n

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Celebrating milestones, launching missions<\/h3>\n

Amidst the forward-looking dialogue, the Pavilion also marked a few milestones, including celebrating 10 years of the Copernicus Marine Service, which has grown to have more than 88,000 registered users worldwide and is recognised as a world-leading Ocean monitoring and forecasting service, delivering open and free access to authoritative marine data which support a wide range of applications.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt took vision and courage to launch a project such as the Copernicus Marine Service… it is a showcase of the EU\u2019s ability to collaborate.\u201d \u2013\u00a0<\/em>Elisabeth Hamdouch, Deputy Head of Unit for Copernicus<\/p>\n

Over the past decade, Copernicus Marine has evolved beyond the role of data provider to become a reference\u00a0digital information service on the global ocean and EU regional seas\u00a0and enabling informed decision making.<\/p>\n\n

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Sentinel-2 image acquired on 23 August 2024. Credit: European Union.<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

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A pavilion with purpose<\/h3>\n

Above all, the Pavilion was a place for engagement between government representatives, scientists, civil society, and the public. It reaffirmed the EU\u2019s role not only in Ocean science and data, but in creating the conditions for global cooperation.<\/p>\n

The message was clear: The Ocean\u2019s challenges are too vast and too urgent to face alone.\u00a0<\/p>\n

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\"A<\/p>\n

Thu, 26\/06\/2025 – 12:00 <\/p>\n

Read More<\/a><\/p>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

OBSERVER: Europe’s Digital Ocean showcased at third UN Ocean Conference evan Thu, 26\/06\/2025 – 13:15 During the Third UN Ocean Conference (UNOC3) in Nice, France, the European Digital Ocean Pavilion demonstrated digital innovation, science-based policy, and international collaboration for Ocean protection. Located in the Palais des Expositions from 2 to13 June, the Pavilion provided visitors…
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