At UNOC 3, the European Digital Ocean Pavilion under the sign of ocean prediction
Digital Ocean Pavilion Unveils Digital Twin of the Ocean
The European Digital Ocean Pavilion, orchestrated by Mercator Ocean International, presented its Digital Twin of the Ocean. This innovative decision-support tool, designed to improve ocean prediction, supports the European Union’s actions to protect the marine environment.
“The Pavilion allowed visitors to discover the European Union’s digital technologies and solutions for ocean observation, including the Copernicus Marine service,” explains Elisabeth Hamdouch-Fuehrer, Deputy Head of Unit in charge of Earth observation at the European Commission. She adds: “Copernicus is a major European investment; its marine service provides essential data and plays a key role in the sustainable management of marine environments.”
Powered by data from Copernicus Marine and the EMODnet network, the Digital Twin of the Ocean uses artificial intelligence to simulate predictive scenarios on issues such as plastic pollution drift, marine wildlife movements, and coastal risks.
At the opening of UNOC 3, Ursula von der Leyen, President of the European Commission, stated: “This extraordinary tool helps us better understand the ocean, from pollution to navigation. It places the European Union as a global leader in ocean science and security.”
The conference also marked a major institutional milestone.
Mercator International Centre for the Ocean: A New Intergovernmental Organization
UNOC3 served as the setting for the transformation of Mercator Ocean International into an intergovernmental organization (IGO) dedicated to the digital ocean, named “Mercator International Centre for the Ocean.” Supported by twelve European states led by France and Norway, this new governance aims to design, develop, and operate world-class digital ocean systems covering marine physics, biogeochemistry, and ecosystem dynamics. It will provide its member states with reliable digital information services tailored to their needs and support them in their commitments to international ocean governance.
Its missions include Research and Development, the provision of advanced digital systems, and the co-development of a Digital Twin of the Ocean.
“Only international cooperation and the commitment of all actors will effectively address urgent global challenges. Established in Europe and open to the world, the Mercator International Centre for the Ocean will mobilize science and technology to preserve the ocean for future generations,” emphasizes Pierre Bahurel, Director General of Mercator Ocean.
International Momentum for Ocean Protection
Mercator Ocean’s expertise is also demonstrated through several large-scale international projects, such as OPERA (Ocean Prediction Enhancement in Regions of Africa), which develops essential forecasting services and tools for the sustainable management of ocean resources in Africa, and OP4CR (Ocean Prediction for Costa Rica), focused on the preservation of the Cocos Island National Park in Costa Rica. “OPERA and OP4CR, funded by the EU, are two ambitious initiatives within the United Nations Decade of Ocean Science for Sustainable Development. They aim to strengthen ocean monitoring and sustainable management capabilities in partnership with local institutions,” explains Enrique Alvarez Fanjul, Technical Coordinator of OceanPrediction DCC at Mercator Ocean.
Finally, during UNOC, Mercator Ocean concluded cooperation agreements with Brazil, Australia, and China. These strategic alliances aim to accelerate innovation, foster cooperation, and establish international standards in ocean forecasting. UNOC thus brought together a global community committed to the future of the ocean.
For more information, visit digitaloceanpavilion.eu
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