Governments at UN General Assembly support global ocean observation
A new International Alliance for the Global Ocean Observing System (GOOS) has been launched during the 81st United Nations General Assembly, mobilizing commitments from governments to strengthen support for ocean observations, which are vital for all nations – coastal and landlocked alike.
President of the European Commission Ursula von der Leyen and Prime Minister of Canada Mark Carney officially launched the OceanEye International Alliance for the Global Ocean Observing System (GOOS) at a high‑level pledging event at UN Headquarters in New York, organized in partnership with the Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission (IOC) of UNESCO and the World Meteorological Organization (WMO), both co-sponsoring organizations of GOOS.
Held during the 81st UN General Assembly High‑Level Week, the event brought together heads of state and governments and ministers to strengthen support for global ocean observations, which are essential for safe navigation, weather forecasting, climate predictions, coastal resilience, protection of the high seas and thriving economies.
In a demonstration of support and collaboration from the Co-Chairs of the International Alliance, the European Union pledged an additional €92 million for ocean observation activities, and Prime Minister Carney pledged CAD $82 million over five years to expand Canada's ability to observe our ocean.
“As the underwater world rapidly changes, ocean observation gives us eyes and ears beneath the waves. With OceanEye, we can gather the data we need to understand and protect our ocean. And with the International Alliance for the Global Ocean Observing System, we will support a vital network across the world. For a better life with and on our blue planet,” said Ursula von der Leyen.
“The ocean we share cannot be understood, or protected, by any nation alone. What none of us can do individually, we can achieve together. Every observation shared multiplies impact. That is what this Alliance builds: a picture none of us could see by ourselves, and none of us can afford to lose,” said Mark Carney.
The event has so far secured over CAD $339 million (€211 million) from all partner countries with a mix of financial contributions, in‑kind support, and the provision of assets such as research vessels, sensors, drones and data‑processing facilities.
Growing needs and challenges
The Global Ocean Observing System (GOOS), led by IOC‑UNESCO and co-sponsored by WMO, UNEP and the International Science Council, leads and coordinates the delivery of around 120,000 observations per day from 8,000 platforms operated by 64 countries and 17 global observation networks. Its purpose is simple but powerful: to help the world understand and make decisions on ocean state, health and changes.
Ocean observations data underpin all weather forecasts and early warnings as well as longer-term climate monitoring as well as surface-proofing satellite measurements. This data is essential for economic security, maritime transport and global trade, ocean industries, the protection of coastal communities and marine biodiversity.
However, this critical global infrastructure and its coordination are at risk, including from a lack of long-term sustainable investment.
In response to this risk, the European Union announced the International Alliance for the Global Ocean Observing System (GOOS) in March 2026, as part of OceanEye – an ambitious initiative designed to strengthen ocean observation, improve access to ocean intelligence and reinforce international cooperation. A core aim of the Alliance is to secure long-term funding for GOOS and to guarantee reliable, open and free access to ocean data for all partners.
“The scientific reality is clear: Ocean observations shape our understanding of the climate system. They give us time to prepare. They give us measurements, far out at sea, which help countries anticipate conditions that affect food production, water supplies and people’s safety,” said Celeste Saulo, WMO Secretary-General.
“Strengthening the Global Ocean Observing System is not just a scientific challenge, it is a governance challenge. We need an optimised system that countries can sustain over time, and this will only be possible with stronger investments and closer cooperation with governments.” said Vidar Helgesen, IOC Executive Secretary.
The launch event highlighted just how precarious the ocean observing system is.
For example, today, there are no near-equatorial moored buoys operating west of 165 degrees East in the tropical Pacific. This means there is no fixed observing presence across a critical part of the western Pacific warm pool. This is the region that helps shape El Niño and La Niña and, consequently, rainfall and drought patterns around the world.
And it is not just El Niño, operational forecasts and warnings – of tropical cyclones, severe precipitation, extreme heat – depend on real-time observations of ocean variables.
There are also complete regions of the ocean that require much stronger observation including the Southern Ocean, poles and deep ocean.
Next Steps
The launch event marked the start of a broader international mobilization effort for 2026-2028 and beyond.
A total of 31 members have joined the International Alliance for GOOS, including Canada, the EU and 29 countries (Angola, Belgium, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Cabo Verde, Costa Rica, Croatia, Cyprus, France, Germany, Greece, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Madagascar, Malta, Mauritius, Mexico, Norway, Namibia, Palau, Portugal, Slovenia, South Korea, Spain, the Netherlands, the Faroe Islands and the United Kingdom).
The pledges will support:
- The maintenance of existing observation platforms;
- The expansion of ocean observation capacity and the closure of critical data gaps;
- The strengthening of the GOOS Secretariat;
- Increased support to GOOS global coordination capacity;
- The reinforcement of the GOOS OceanOPS technical centre;
- The strengthening support for data management and interoperability.
Further opportunities to make financial and in-kind pledges will be offered at upcoming international gatherings, including COP31, and the 12th Our Ocean Conference to be held in Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada.
About GOOS
Co-sponsored by the Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission (IOC) of UNESCO, World Meteorological Organization, UN Environment Programme and the International Science Council, GOOS leads countries, institutions, scientists, and ocean professionals to evolve a globally integrated, responsive, and resilient ocean observing system for thriving communities and a healthy ocean.
