European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen has called for the creation of an International Alliance to reinforce and expand global ocean monitoring and observation efforts, alongside the launch of OceanEye, the European Union’s new ocean observation initiative.
Speaking at the opening of the European Ocean Days, von der Leyen announced that the EU would commit €50 million from the Horizon Europe budget for 2026–2027 to support the proposed Alliance.
OceanEye was first unveiled at the 2025 United Nations Ocean Conference and builds on existing tools such as the European Digital Twin of the Ocean (EDITO) and the Copernicus marine programme. The initiative aims to establish a sovereign and advanced European ocean observation infrastructure, strengthening international cooperation in ocean protection and data-sharing.
Von der Leyen said the initiative would enhance scientific knowledge, boost the competitiveness of the blue economy, strengthen maritime security and safeguard ocean health. Ocean observation data is considered vital for understanding marine ecosystems, predicting and mitigating climate change impacts, and supporting economic activities at sea.
The proposed International Alliance will bring together EU Member States and global partners through funding commitments and coordinated action. It will also promote secure, open and free access to ocean data and support the Global Ocean Observing System in partnership with Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission under UNESCO.
OceanEye forms part of the European Ocean Pact adopted in June 2025. The Commission aims to establish a fully operational European Ocean Observation System by 2030, with a pledging event for the Alliance scheduled for September.
The blue economy remains significant for the EU, supporting around five million jobs and generating approximately €250 billion in gross added value across coastal and maritime sectors.
