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Today, Prime Minister of Canada Mark Carney and President of the European Commission Ursula von der Leyen and officially launched the OceanEye International Alliance for the Global Ocean Observing System (GOOS) at a high‑level pledging event in New York.
Held during the 81st UN General Assembly High‑Level Week, the event brought together heads of state and governments, ministers and stakeholders, to strengthen support for global ocean observation. Reliable ocean observation is essential for safe navigation, weather forecasting, climate predictions, coastal protection and a thriving blue economy.
The event was organised in partnership with the Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission of UNESCO (IOC‑UNESCO) and the World Meteorological Organization (WMO), the two co-sponsoring organisations of GOOS, both of which stand to benefit from stronger global ocean observation.
Delivering support for global ocean observation
In a demonstration of support and collaboration, the Co-Chairs of the OceanEye International Alliance both provided equal to this important initiative. European Union (EU) pledged funding of €50 million Euro for Ocean observation activities. Canada pledged $82 million CDN over five years to expand Canada’s ability to observe our ocean.
So far, the event secured over $339 million (€211 million) from all partner countries with a mix of financial contributions, in‑kind support, and the provision of assets such as research vessels, sensors, drones and data‑processing facilities.
The pledges will support:
- the maintenance of existing observation platforms;
- the closure of critical data gaps;
- the strengthening of the GOOS Secretariat;
- the GOOS coordination hubs;
- and the reinforcement of the OceanOPS data‑reporting centre.
A total of 31 members have joined the OceanEye International Alliance, including Canada, the EU and 29 countries (Angola, Belgium, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Cabo Verde, Costa Rica, Croatia, Cyprus, France, Germany, Greece, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Madagascar, Malta, Mauritius, Mexico, Norway, Namibia, Palau, Portugal, Slovenia South Korea, Spain, the Netherlands, the Faroe Islands and the United Kingdom).
Why sustained support for ocean observation matters
The Global Ocean Observing System (GOOS), co‑sponsored by IOC‑UNESCO and the WMO, delivers around 120,000 observations per day from 8,000 platforms operated by 64 countries and 17 global observation networks.
These observations are indispensable for understanding and forecasting weather and climate, improving maritime safety, protecting coastal communities, supporting marine biodiversity and enabling sustainable ocean-based economic activities.
Yet GOOS remains vulnerable to financial shortfalls and geopolitical disruptions. It still relies heavily on a limited number of major contributors. Without a broader and more stable support base, gaps in ocean data could re‑emerge, jeopardising weather forecasts, climate projections and marine‑conservation efforts worldwide.
Next steps
The launch event marks the start of a broader international mobilisation effort for 2026-2028 and beyond. Further opportunities to make financial and in-kind pledges will be offered at upcoming international gatherings, including COP31, and the 12th Our Ocean Conference to be held in Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada.
Quotes
“The ocean we share cannot be understood, or protected, by any nation alone. What none of us can do individually, we can achieve together. Every observation shared multiplies impact. That is what this Alliance builds: a picture none of us could see by ourselves, and none of us can afford to lose.”
“As the underwater world rapidly changes, ocean observation gives us eyes and ears beneath the waves. With OceanEye, we can gather the data we need to understand and protect our ocean. And with our OceanEye Alliance, we will have a vital network across the world. For a better life with and on our blue planet.”
