Mercator Ocean serving UN Priorities
Mercator Ocean supports UN organizations and regional multilateral organizations worldwide by providing scientific and technical expertise and digital Ocean systems services to support their missions. In particular, Mercator Ocean is committed to supporting the United Nations’ 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and its 17 interconnected goals uniting human well-being, economic progress, social justice, and environmental health, with a focus on Sustainable Development Goal 14: “Conserve and sustainably use the oceans, seas and marine resources for sustainable development.”
Sustainable Development Goal 14: “Conserve and sustainably use the oceans, seas, and marine resources for sustainable development”. Learn more about SDG 14 and its importance for Ocean health.
UN Decade of Ocean Science for Sustainable Development (2021–2030): Our efforts align with the transformative goals of the UN Decade, which promotes a healthier Ocean for all. Explore the objectives of the UN Decade and how it aims to transform Ocean science.
UN Mandates
Mercator Ocean hosts and pilots the OceanPrediction Decade Collaborative Center (OceanPrediction DCC), a United Nations (UN) Decade cross-cutting structure that works at the global scale to develop collaboration between Decade Actions and other key actors related to Ocean prediction, and it is an integral part of the UN Decade of Ocean Science for Sustainable Development. Learn more
The OceanPrediction DCC has a two-fold mission: to bring together a diverse international community of experts, including scientists, policymakers, and end-users, and to create a robust technical infrastructure for Ocean forecasting. This dual approach is vital in fulfilling the vision of a Digital Twin of the Ocean (DTO) “delivered as one” that seeks to provide a realistic and interactive representation of the Ocean, informed by advanced numerical models and real-time data.
The OceanPrediction DCC sets up a framework for global cooperation with the aim of enhancing Ocean prediction services for the benefit of all. The objective is to promote international collaboration in designing and providing Ocean services, innovative technologies for the effective exchange and utilization of marine information, advance the standardization and interoperability of marine data and encourage cooperation among marine services, and support research and capacity development in oceanography worldwide.
Mercator Ocean plays a pivotal role in hosting and leading the OceanPrediction Decade Collaborative Center (OceanPrediction DCC), which is an integral part of the United Nations (UN) Decade of Ocean Science for Sustainable Development. The OceanPrediction DCC has a two-fold mission: to bring together a diverse international community of experts, including scientists, policymakers, private companies, and end-users, and to create a robust technical infrastructure for Ocean forecasting. This dual approach is vital in fulfilling the vision of the Digital Twin of the Ocean (DTO), which seeks to provide a realistic and interactive representation of the Ocean, informed by advanced numerical models and real-time data.
To “deliver as one” is at the core of the OP DCC’s mission. This not only refers to the creation of a harmonised global effort in the framework of the UN Ocean Decade, but also to the goal of building a cutting-edge technical infrastructure that aligns with the DTO vision. This infrastructure emphasises co-design, a process in which experts from various fields collaborate to develop innovative solutions for Ocean forecasting. By ‘delivering as one,’ the OP DCC leverages the latest advances in digital twinning, artificial intelligence, and machine learning to create a comprehensive and interconnected system.
ETOOFS
The Expert Team on Operational Ocean Forecasting Systems (ETOOFS) initiative aims to enhance operational Ocean monitoring and forecasting systems worldwide. It is co-sponsored by the Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission (IOC/UNESCO) and the World Meteorological Organization (WMO) for the Global Ocean Observing System (GOOS). This comprehensive guide provides crucial insights into marine forecasting methodologies.
Mercator Ocean International played a pivotal role in the project, with Director General Pierre Bahurel serving as one of the guide’s editors. The 400-page document, released in July 2022 during the UN Ocean Conference, involved 80 authors from 51 institutions across 18 countries. It offers a detailed overview of the operational Ocean forecasting value chain, international standards, and best practices. By synthesizing global expertise, the guide serves as a unique reference for the operational ocean modeling community, promoting improved marine monitoring and predictive capabilities.
Mercator Ocean partners with the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) as part of the Global Environment Monitoring System for the Ocean and Coasts (GEMS Ocean) Programme. This collaboration encompasses several key areas of cooperation, including the provision of specific datasets and a visualisation tool to explore UNEP’s Ocean, Seas, and Coasts portfolio. This includes providing Ocean monitoring data and indicators such as Ocean acidification, sea level, carbon dioxide sink, Ocean Heat Content (OHC), and Arctic/Antarctic Sea ice extent. The data is accessible through the World Environment Situation Room (WESR), UNEP’s knowledge centre hosting openly accessible environmental data and information sources by UN agencies and regional or international organisations. The primary objective of this partnership is to assist UNEP in establishing its Ocean Information System, which aims to connect and streamline existing platforms. UNEP and Mercator Ocean are committed to joint efforts in developing future innovative initiatives and activities, such as the ambitious Digital Twin of the Ocean initiative, citizen engagement programs, and regional pilot projects that address critical issues like land-sea interactions, climate change, biodiversity, and pollution.
UNEP Regional Seas Programme
The UNEP Regional Seas Programme, established in 1974 following the 1972 Stockholm Conference, is a cornerstone of UNEP’s efforts to protect marine and coastal environments. The Programme addresses the rapid degradation of oceans and coasts by fostering regional cooperation and engaging neighboring countries in targeted actions to manage and preserve their shared marine resources. Today, 18 Regional Seas Conventions and Action Plans operate under this framework. UNEP directly administers six, including the Barcelona Convention for the Mediterranean (UNEP-MAP). Four others, such as OSPAR (Northeast Atlantic) and HELCOM (Baltic Sea), are independent but collaborate closely with the Programme.
Mercator Ocean International supports these conventions by identifying needs and providing Ocean data to enhance Ocean monitoring and sustainable management. This support includes organizing workshops and participating in thematic working groups. Mercator Ocean also supports the Regional Seas Programme on key themes such as Sargassum, eutrophication, and marine litter through its engagement in the GEO Blue Planet initiative.
UN Collaborations
Co-sponsored by IOC-UNESCO, WMO, UNEP, and ISC
Mercator Ocean collaborates with the Global Ocean Observing System (GOOS) and its European counterpart, EuroGOOS, both coordinated by the Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission of UNESCO (IOC-UNESCO). GOOS is co-sponsored by the World Meteorological Organisation (WMO), the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), and the International Science Council (ISC). Together, these organizations are advancing the development of a truly global Ocean observing system that provides essential information to support sustainable development, safety, well-being, and prosperity worldwide.
A Joint Initiative of IOC-UNESCO and UNEP
Mercator Ocean is co-leading the development of the Integrated Marine Debris Observing System (IMDOS) endorsed by GOOS and UNEP Global Partnership on Plastic Pollution and Marine Litter. IMDOS aims to support the development of a global interoperable marine debris monitoring system to benefit the research community, as well as policy- and decision-making bodies and the private sector. By providing guidance on harmonizing data, standardizing monitoring methods, leveraging technology, and harnessing the power of a global community, IMDOS aims to support and strengthen a network of sustained observations to enhance marine debris research and to inform actions to tackle the growing global plastic pollution problem.
Mercator Ocean’s Contributions to Other UN Initiatives
- Active participation on the GOOS / GCOS Ocean Observations Panel for Climate.
- Direct contribution to the work of the GOOS Biogeochemistry Panel.
- Provision of scientific expertise as co-authors of the IPCC and UN World Ocean Assessment.
- Contribution of scientific expertise to the WMO’s Global Greenhouse Gas Watch and State of the Climate Report.
- Contribution of scientific expertise to the IOC’s State of the Ocean Report.
- Direct work with the French government to support the development of the One Ocean Science Conference and the UN Ocean Conference in Nice.
- Support for the development of the Decade Digital Ecosystem, via EU4OceanObs and the DCC-OP.
- Coordination support for the Decade programme Digital Twins of the Ocean (DITTO) via EU4OceanObs.
Multilateral Partnerships
Mercator Ocean International actively engages in a wide range of multilateral partnerships to advance Ocean monitoring, forecasting, and sustainable management through collaboration with leading organizations and regional initiatives.
- Mercator Ocean maintains strong partnerships with key organizations, including ESA, EUMETSAT, and ECMWF, to leverage their expertise and resources in Ocean monitoring and forecasting.
- As an observer to OSPAR and HELCOM (pending), Mercator Ocean works to align digital Ocean systems and information services with Member State needs for the implementation of EU Ocean Policies in the different Regional Seas.
- Mercator Ocean works directly with the 27 member countries and territories of the Pacific Community to improve understanding of climate variability and climate change on the oceanic ecosystem, tuna stocks, and fisheries, developing models and generating new tools and services to facilitate sustainable management and monitoring of marine resources and biodiversity in the region.