14 engaging sessions covering key ocean topics were attended by more than 1,800 participants representing public authorities, policymakers, scientists and researchers, businesses, investors, NGOs, civil society and youth. The week-long event was thus a unique platform for the exchange of ideas, dynamic discussions and meaningful dialogue that included the voices of all communities dedicated to a sustainable and resilient blue future.
Mission Restore our Ocean and Waters Forum 2025
A key highlight of the week was the third Annual Forum of the EU Mission ‘Restore our Ocean and Waters’. With a 2030 target, the Mission aims to protect and restore the health of our ocean and waters through research and innovation, citizen engagement and blue investments.
The 2025 Mission Restore our Ocean and Waters Forum opened with a comprehensive overview of the Mission’s impressive progress and achievements to date. The cutting-edge research and innovative solutions from several Mission Ocean-funded projects were showcased during presentations and panel discussions, involving more than 50 speakers from diverse fields. An interactive on-site exhibition also featured these concrete solutions, together with valuable insights and inspiration, to support the 2030 Mission targets.
Bringing together the many diverse voices of the ocean community, the Forum provided a valuable platform to collectively discuss and outline the next strategic steps needed to reach the 2030 Mission targets.
Presentations during the 2025 Mission Restore our Ocean and Waters Forum. Credit: Amandine Nunes-Jorge.
European Ocean Pact
These united efforts for a sustainable blue future helped shape a key upcoming EU policy: the European Ocean Pact. With the final version expected to be presented at the 3rd UN Ocean Conference in June 2025, this pact aims to integrate all EU ocean-related policies within a single, coherent, reference framework, considering and taking into account all voices and needs.
“The Ocean Pact is an opportunity to ensure coherence across all EU policy areas linked to the ocean, with clear objectives, developing a competitive and sustainable European blue economy and protecting and restoring ocean health, productivity and resilience.”
Costas Kadis, EU Commissioner for Fisheries and Oceans 1
This global holistic approach is designed to facilitate collaboration and recognise the equal importance and interconnected nature of our inland freshwater ecosystems and marine environments.
“The European Ocean Pact is more than just a governance framework. It is a reflection of our shared responsibility to protect our marine environment and ensures that coastal communities are empowered to thrive. I believe that, as we continue this journey together, we must make sure no one is left behind.”
Costas Kadis, EU Commissioner for Fisheries and Oceans 2
Knowledge is Power
The final morning of the European Ocean Days was dedicated to gathering Europe’s marine knowledge, data and observations. There is strong consensus that marine knowledge and data are of critical importance, and represent an essential investment, for the preservation, protection and sustainability of Europe’s ocean and waters.
“Sustained marine data flows contribute to keep costs down… Investing in marine data means lower costs for businesses and consumers.”
Claire Jolly, OECD 3
It was also stressed that although a wealth of physico-chemical data exists, biological data is lacking. There, BIOcean5D plays a key role in closing this gap thanks to the creation of a one-of-a-kind collection of data that integrates historical samples with new data collected along the entire length of the European coast.
Presentations during the ‘Knowledge is Power’ session of the European Ocean Days. Credit: Amandine Nunes-Jorge.
Several sessions of the European Ocean Days highlighted the importance of making this marine data open, FAIR, centralised and further expanded, to enable the multi-parameter, multi-dimensional complexity of marine ecosystems to be captured by techniques such as artificial intelligence and the Digital Twin of the Ocean (DTO) for effective monitoring and modelling.
“Marine knowledge ensures that our policies are grounded in reality, making them efficient and impactful.”
Elisabetta Balzi, Head of Unit on Oceans, Seas and Waters, DG Research & innovation, EC 4
Working together
Collaboration was a key theme throughout the week, with matchmaking events and networking sessions designed to connect stakeholders and communities working to protect and restore EU marine and freshwater ecosystems and biodiversity, accelerate partnerships and support transdisciplinary action.
BIOcean5D representatives seized the opportunity to network, connect and dialogue with colleagues working on EU partner projects contributing to the Mission objectives, and explore potential collaboration opportunities. Thank you to colleagues involved in SUBMON, ProBleu, EDITO, SEADOTs, SHORE, NIVA and SUBMARINER Network for taking the time to share your work and for inspiring conversations!
The event was also the opportunity for members of the BIOcean5D project to meet in person with Ivan Conesa Alcolea, the Research Policy Officer for Marine Biodiversity and Ecosystems functioning at the European Commission, and Victoria Beaz-Hidalgo, our project officer from the European Commission. We thank both of them for taking the time to meet and discuss with us.
Amandine Nunes-Jorge and André Abreu from BIOcean5D at the European Ocean Days, meeting with Victoria Beaz-Hidalgo, project officer from the European Commission.