The 2025 All-Atlantic Ocean Research and Innovation Alliance (AAORIA) Forum took place on 25–26 September in Brussels, Belgium. Hosted by the European Commission at the Charlemagne building, the Forum brought together policymakers, researchers, and communities from along and across the Atlantic Ocean. JPI Oceans participated as a partner in the EU-funded OKEANO Coordination and Support Action (CSA), which supports the All-Atlantic Ocean Research and Innovation Alliance activities towards the implementation of the All-Atlantic Declaration signed in 2022.
JPI Oceans contributed to the Forum's success by leading several activities on behalf of OKEANO. As a leading OKEANO partner on communication and outreach, and organiser of the Intergenerational Dialogue, JPI Oceans works to ensure the Alliance speaks with diverse voices converging into collaborative action, ensuring intergenerational collaboration and early-career empowerment in the policy sphere.
Communication and outreach: JPI Oceans' communication work ensures that AAORIA's activities go beyond their usual reach and resonate with broader audiences. This involves crafting narratives that are both accessible and accurate, celebrating the Atlantic's diversity whilst promoting shared goals for ocean sustainability. Together with the AIR Centre, Science Crunchers, the Marine Institute, and other communication partners, JPI Oceans helped organise the first All-Atlantic photo and art competition, showcasing the Atlantic's cultural diversity. During the Forum, JPI Oceans provided live social media coverage of the proceedings and conducted interviews with All-Atlantic stakeholders, which will be released soon. By making AAORIA's work visible and comprehensible across multiple channels, JPI Oceans helps the Alliance strengthen its presence on the international stage.
The Intergenerational Dialogue: The Intergenerational Dialogue returned in 2025 with expanded activities. JPI Oceans, working alongside OKEANO partners and in collaboration with Sigi Gruber, organised this initiative that brought Early Career Ocean Professionals (ECOPs) shoulder to shoulder with seasoned experts to tackle the seven priorities of the All-Atlantic Declaration. Mentorship sessions began online before continuing in person in Brussels. ECOPs visited the European Parliament, where they pitched their ideas and engaged in dialogue with MEP André Rodrigues. They then addressed the Forum plenary with their recommendations, summarised in five policy briefs published on the All-Atlantic website. These policy briefs represent important contributions that will be taken forward by the Alliance, with further developments expected at the 2026 edition of the Forum.
Ghana joined AAORIA as a new All-Atlantic Partner, expanding the Alliance's presence along the African Atlantic coast. Furthermore, six new Supporters were recognised: the International Council for the Exploration of the Sea (ICES), the AIR Centre, GEOMAR, Europe Jacques Delors, Oceano Azul Foundation, and the Ocean Race. A new area of action on sustainable fisheries and aquaculture emerged from Forum discussions, addressing how the Atlantic can sustainably feed growing populations. More details are available in the Summary of Outcomes from the 2025 Forum.
The Forum marked a significant moment for AAORIA with the launch of two landmark initiatives that OKEANO helped bring to life:
The All-Atlantic Blue Intergenerational Programme and its pilot Integrated Platform, creating a one-stop hub for ECOPs to access training and capacity-building opportunities across the Atlantic. The initiative makes resources visible, accessible, and useful, connecting ECOPs with the tools and networks they need to thrive. This programme builds on the Galway and Belém Statements, the Washington Declaration, the European Ocean Pact, and the UN Pact for the Future, positioning AAORIA at the forefront of intergenerational ocean cooperation.
The All-Atlantic Network of Coastal Resilience Beacon Sites, linking coastal communities across the Atlantic to test and share practical approaches to tackling sea-level rise, erosion, and biodiversity loss. Each Beacon Site shares what works on the ground, making results comparable and transferable between locations.
The next All-Atlantic Forum will take place in Salvador, Bahia, Brazil on 15–16 April 2026. In the lead up to this event and beyond, JPI Oceans will continue supporting the Alliance through the OKEANO CSA, championing intergenerational collaboration, and ensuring that the Alliance's work reaches audiences across the Atlantic.
For those who were unable to attend the 2025 Forum, recordings of the sessions are available online. Stay engaged with AAORIA’s ongoing initiatives by following the Alliance’s communication channels and subscribing to the newsletter.
Photo credits to “Thomas Blairon, Pixelshake”