About the Conference

The 11th EuroGOOS International Conference took place at the University of Central Lancashire, Cyprus (UCLan Cyprus), from 18–20 May 2026 under the theme “Stronger Together”.

Organised under the auspices of the Cyprus Presidency of the Council of the European Union 2026 and endorsed as a Decade Activity by the United Nations Decade of Ocean Science for Sustainable Development, the conference brought together marine scientists, technologists, policymakers, service providers, private-sector representatives and other stakeholders from across the ocean observing and forecasting community.

Held every three years, the EuroGOOS Conference serves as a forum to assess how ocean monitoring and forecasting systems support societal and policy needs, while fostering dialogue across the marine knowledge value chain. The 2026 edition provided an opportunity to exchange knowledge, strengthen partnerships and discuss priorities for the future of European operational oceanography and ocean observing.

Conference format

Over three days, participants engaged in plenary sessions, breakout discussions, poster presentations and round tables focused on key challenges and opportunities facing European ocean observing and operational oceanography. The conference concluded with the identification of key messages and recommendations, which informed the 11th EuroGOOS International Conference Statement.

Key priorities of the 11th EuroGOOS Conference

The conference focused on five thematic priorities:

• Innovation in Observations, Modelling and Forecasting;
• Digital Transformation, Integration and Data Quality;
• Co-Design, Engagement and Inclusivity;
• Governance and Capacity for Ocean Knowledge;
• Monitoring the Triple Planetary Crisis and Addressing Societal Needs.