WRI STATEMENT: More Than 30 Countries Join New OceanEye Alliance to Strengthen Global Ocean Observation

Ursula von der Leyen, the President of the European Commission, and Mark Carney, the Prime Minister of Canada, have announced the formation of the OceanEye International Alliance. This new initiative aims to enhance global ocean observation in order to promote more sustainable support for the Global Ocean Observing System. The alliance seeks to address critical monitoring gaps, increase financial and in-kind support, and improve access to essential ocean data needed for extreme weather preparedness, marine resource management, and coastal resilience.

Tom Pickerell, Global Director of WRI’s Ocean Program and a member of the European Commission’s European Ocean Board, shared his thoughts on the alliance. He explained that the impacts of climate change on our oceans are becoming increasingly evident, with record surface temperatures, more intense storms, shifting fisheries, and growing threats to food and livelihoods.

Pickerell emphasized that countries must be better prepared to face these challenges. He highlighted that improved data and monitoring are crucial for understanding the rapid changes occurring in the ocean.

Pickerell pointed out that the OceanEye Alliance will bolster the vital yet often overlooked ocean observation systems that support various aspects of society, including weather forecasts, disaster warnings, maritime safety, food security, and sustainable ocean management. He pointed out that the global ocean observation system still heavily relies on short-term funding, which is concentrated in limited regions.

The alliance can help safeguard existing observing networks and decades of ocean records while expanding data accessibility and strengthening international cooperation.

Pickerell concluded by stating that better ocean data leads to better decision-making, enabling governments to anticipate risks, safeguard communities and livelihoods, and foster more resilient economies in the face of extreme weather. For countries committed to the Sustainable Ocean Plans and other Ocean Panel members, the OceanEye Alliance ensures that their data remains grounded in reality, revealing emerging risks, evaluating action effectiveness, and guiding necessary course corrections.