Periodic Reporting for period 1 - All-Atlantic2021 (All-Atlantic R&I for a Sustainable Ocean: High-level & Stakeholders Conference)
Reporting period: 2021-01-01 to 2021-09-30
The "All-Atlantic R&I for a Sustainable Ocean: Ministerial High-level & Stakeholders Conference" took place in Ponta Delgada, Azores, on 2-4 June 2021, under the Portuguese Presidency of the European Union Council, co-organised by the Ministry of Science Technology and High Education, Ministry of the Sea, Regional Azores Government, and the European Commission.
The All-Atlantic2021 Conference has brought to a new level the existing dialogue and cooperation undertaken under the All-Atlantic Ocean Research Alliance. Following the All-Atlantic Ocean Research fora (Brazil, 23 - 24 July 2018, Belgium, 6 - 7 February 2020, and South Africa, 3 - 4 December 2020), and taking the approach of “Connecting – Acting - Cooperating”, this conference provided a dialogue momentum among Ministerial and other High-level representatives, with marine stakeholders, across the Atlantic Ocean from pole to pole, and was a step forward in Research & Innovation (R&I) cooperation for the sustainable Atlantic Ocean. The All-Atlantic2021 Conference contributed to enhancing the science diplomacy efforts focused on the Atlantic, enshrined notably in the Atlantic Strategy and its 1st Action Plan (2013), the signing of the Galway and Belém Statements (respectively in 2013 and 2017) and the Administrative Arrangements between the European Commission and Cabo Verde (2018), Argentina (2018) and Morocco (2020). The event provided the opportunity to discuss the progress made so far, to strengthen the vision “Connecting – Acting - Cooperating”, to launch the All-Atlantic Pledging platform as a new tool to the existing cooperation and the Azores Declaration on All-Atlantic R&Ifor a Sustainable Ocean.
The All-Atlantic2021 Conference has brought to a new level the existing dialogue and cooperation undertaken under the All-Atlantic Ocean Research Alliance. Following the All-Atlantic Ocean Research fora (Brazil, 23 - 24 July 2018, Belgium, 6 - 7 February 2020, and South Africa, 3 - 4 December 2020), and taking the approach of “Connecting – Acting - Cooperating”, this conference provided a dialogue momentum among Ministerial and other High-level representatives, with marine stakeholders, across the Atlantic Ocean from pole to pole, and was a step forward in Research & Innovation (R&I) cooperation for the sustainable Atlantic Ocean. The All-Atlantic2021 Conference contributed to enhancing the science diplomacy efforts focused on the Atlantic, enshrined notably in the Atlantic Strategy and its 1st Action Plan (2013), the signing of the Galway and Belém Statements (respectively in 2013 and 2017) and the Administrative Arrangements between the European Commission and Cabo Verde (2018), Argentina (2018) and Morocco (2020). The event provided the opportunity to discuss the progress made so far, to strengthen the vision “Connecting – Acting - Cooperating”, to launch the All-Atlantic Pledging platform as a new tool to the existing cooperation and the Azores Declaration on All-Atlantic R&Ifor a Sustainable Ocean.
The All-Atlantic2021 Conference with an overall participation of 5000 online stakeholders and more than 170 stakeholders attending the event at Ponta Delgada, Azores, Portugal. 3rd and 4th of June counted with the participation of 23 Ministers from 22 countries, 69 speakers from 13 countries around and across the Atlantic Ocean, 11 All-Atlantic Ocean Youth Ambassadors as speakers, and the presentation of the 6 AANChOR Joint Pilot Actions.
The “Blue Corridor: All-Atlantic Ocean Projects and Initiatives” on the 2nd and 3rd of June, gathered the All-Atlantic R&I community on 27 self-organized side events that promoted ocean dialogues, networking and synergies from along and across the Atlantic Ocean addressing all the six priority thematic areas of the Galway and Belém Statements, positively impacting the All-Atlantic Ocean Research Alliance vision and ambition.
The ‘Plastic Pirates Azores Campaign – Connecting Atlantic Ministers & Youth’ on 4th June, in the Marina of Ponta Delgada, gathered Atlantic Ministers and young people in common action to apply the sampling methods of the Plastic Pirates - Go Europe!, a citizen science campaign of the joint Trio-Presidency of the Council of the European Union for 2020 and 2021 - Germany, Portugal and Slovenia – that are advocating for clean seas, ocean and rivers, as well as the nature surrounding these waters, with an emphasis to the importance of international research collaboration. The adaptation of the Plastic Pirates methodology in the Azores Campaign initiative assumes an important milestone to launch the challenge to the All-Atlantic countries by extending the initiative to the seas and oceans.
The All-Atlantic2021 launched two long-term initiatives that pave the continuity of the All-Atlantic R&I Cooperation: the All-Atlantic Pledging Platform and the Azores Declaration on All Atlantic Research & Innovation for a Sustainable Ocean.
Under the motto “TIME TO ACT: The Atlantic Ocean needs more than flowing words”, The All-Atlantic Pledging Platform, is an online collaborative and long-term initiative that aims to collect voluntary, result-oriented, personal or institutional commitments to contribute to providing solutions to the many challenges that the Atlantic Ocean holds for people living on its shores. The pledging main thematic areas and challenges aim to guide the Atlantic stakeholders on the type of actions/pledges that would be of relevance to keep supporting the implementation of the existing All-Atlantic marine research and innovation cooperation and reply to the pledge call to action. The first set of relevant scientific themes was identified on the Pledging Platform to solve the prominent research challenges that compromise the sustainability of the Atlantic Ocean, in line with the Galway and Belém Statements and other already ongoing initiatives and opportunities, such as the UN Decade of Ocean Science for Sustainable Development. The six thematic identified areas were: Ocean Health: Climate variability and ecosystem approaches; Ocean Observation, forecasting and monitoring; Food security, ocean resources and biodiversity; Ocean Technology; Marine Pollution; Polar Research.
On 3 June, a total of 32 pledged solutions from 9 countries along and across the Atlantic Ocean (Brazil, Belgium, France, Germany, Ireland, Italy, Norway, Portugal, United States of America) were submitted in the All-Atlantic Pledging Platform.
The All-Atlantic Pledging Campaign will be central in promoting synergies among the Atlantic stakeholder in the definition and implementation of joint activities and it’s already part of the All-Atlantic Ocean Research Portal (https://allatlanticocean.org/(opens in new window)). The AIR Centre is committed to providing long-term support to the Pledging Platform, contributing to the goals of the Galway and Belém Statements.
The “Blue Corridor: All-Atlantic Ocean Projects and Initiatives” on the 2nd and 3rd of June, gathered the All-Atlantic R&I community on 27 self-organized side events that promoted ocean dialogues, networking and synergies from along and across the Atlantic Ocean addressing all the six priority thematic areas of the Galway and Belém Statements, positively impacting the All-Atlantic Ocean Research Alliance vision and ambition.
The ‘Plastic Pirates Azores Campaign – Connecting Atlantic Ministers & Youth’ on 4th June, in the Marina of Ponta Delgada, gathered Atlantic Ministers and young people in common action to apply the sampling methods of the Plastic Pirates - Go Europe!, a citizen science campaign of the joint Trio-Presidency of the Council of the European Union for 2020 and 2021 - Germany, Portugal and Slovenia – that are advocating for clean seas, ocean and rivers, as well as the nature surrounding these waters, with an emphasis to the importance of international research collaboration. The adaptation of the Plastic Pirates methodology in the Azores Campaign initiative assumes an important milestone to launch the challenge to the All-Atlantic countries by extending the initiative to the seas and oceans.
The All-Atlantic2021 launched two long-term initiatives that pave the continuity of the All-Atlantic R&I Cooperation: the All-Atlantic Pledging Platform and the Azores Declaration on All Atlantic Research & Innovation for a Sustainable Ocean.
Under the motto “TIME TO ACT: The Atlantic Ocean needs more than flowing words”, The All-Atlantic Pledging Platform, is an online collaborative and long-term initiative that aims to collect voluntary, result-oriented, personal or institutional commitments to contribute to providing solutions to the many challenges that the Atlantic Ocean holds for people living on its shores. The pledging main thematic areas and challenges aim to guide the Atlantic stakeholders on the type of actions/pledges that would be of relevance to keep supporting the implementation of the existing All-Atlantic marine research and innovation cooperation and reply to the pledge call to action. The first set of relevant scientific themes was identified on the Pledging Platform to solve the prominent research challenges that compromise the sustainability of the Atlantic Ocean, in line with the Galway and Belém Statements and other already ongoing initiatives and opportunities, such as the UN Decade of Ocean Science for Sustainable Development. The six thematic identified areas were: Ocean Health: Climate variability and ecosystem approaches; Ocean Observation, forecasting and monitoring; Food security, ocean resources and biodiversity; Ocean Technology; Marine Pollution; Polar Research.
On 3 June, a total of 32 pledged solutions from 9 countries along and across the Atlantic Ocean (Brazil, Belgium, France, Germany, Ireland, Italy, Norway, Portugal, United States of America) were submitted in the All-Atlantic Pledging Platform.
The All-Atlantic Pledging Campaign will be central in promoting synergies among the Atlantic stakeholder in the definition and implementation of joint activities and it’s already part of the All-Atlantic Ocean Research Portal (https://allatlanticocean.org/(opens in new window)). The AIR Centre is committed to providing long-term support to the Pledging Platform, contributing to the goals of the Galway and Belém Statements.
The All-Atlantic2021 highly promoted and fostered networking and brought together the All-Atlantic community, from pole to pole, through its several activities and components of the conference. This networking is highly relevant as it will nurture future joint actions and activities of the All-Atlantic Ocean Research Alliance. The high-level dialogue with a participation of more than 5000 participants along and across the Atlantic Ocean in the scope of the 27 side events and the main events (including Ministerial participation from 22 countries) allowed the sharing of knowledge and the identification of synergies to be created.
The discussions of the All-Atlantic2021 conference Policy option and priorities related to the All-Atlantic Ocean Research Alliance such as the European Green Deal, the UN Decade of Ocean Science and the Mission Starfish, among others. The identification of the main thematics areas and the challenges of the pledging platform allowed as well the assessment and review of these policies. The All-Atlantic Pledging Campaign focused its cause on the future of the Atlantic Ocean communities. This collaborative platform aims specifically to provide solutions to the many challenges that the Atlantic Ocean holds for people living on its shores. Until June 3rd, the Pledging campaign gathered more than 30 pledges from the early adopters.
Overall, the All-Atlantic2021 conference aimed to provide momentum to the All-Atlantic Ocean Research Alliance to share their cooperation efforts and further align existing initiatives, thus boosting future investments in R&I in Europe with All-Atlantic partners, leveraging private investments and increasing synergies with public funding.
The discussions of the All-Atlantic2021 conference Policy option and priorities related to the All-Atlantic Ocean Research Alliance such as the European Green Deal, the UN Decade of Ocean Science and the Mission Starfish, among others. The identification of the main thematics areas and the challenges of the pledging platform allowed as well the assessment and review of these policies. The All-Atlantic Pledging Campaign focused its cause on the future of the Atlantic Ocean communities. This collaborative platform aims specifically to provide solutions to the many challenges that the Atlantic Ocean holds for people living on its shores. Until June 3rd, the Pledging campaign gathered more than 30 pledges from the early adopters.
Overall, the All-Atlantic2021 conference aimed to provide momentum to the All-Atlantic Ocean Research Alliance to share their cooperation efforts and further align existing initiatives, thus boosting future investments in R&I in Europe with All-Atlantic partners, leveraging private investments and increasing synergies with public funding.