Galway Statement Anniversary: celebrating a decade of marine research cooperation

The European Union, Canada and the US, celebrated the tenth anniversary of the Galway Statement from 4-6 July in Dublin and Galway. The event titled “2013 – 2023: 10 years of the Galway Statement. Celebrating a decade of marine research cooperation along and across the Atlantic Ocean – Our Shared Resource” was co-organised by Irish Government, the European Commission, the Marine Institute, and the University of Galway.

The Galway Statement is a cooperation agreement to join forces on Atlantic Ocean research, increase the knowledge of the Atlantic Ocean and build a common path for sustainable management of this shared resource. Instrumental in fostering collaborative research over the last decade, it has led to an array of initiatives, projects and policy developments which address the most pressing issues in ocean science. These include:

• Boosting the restoration of marine ecosystems, protecting coastal communities which are vulnerable to the sea level rise;
• Advancing ocean science, research and observation systems, to help vulnerable species and habitats;
• Aligning programmes and instruments to pursue strategic common activities and address the common challenges for a more sustainable use of marine resources.

This science diplomacy endeavour is well recognised as a positive example of the EU Global Approach to Research and Innovation as the EU has invested over €300 million in projects such as Mission Restore our Ocean and Waters by 2030 and the Sustainable Blue Economy Partnership to promote cooperation between European and international scientists from all around the Atlantic over the last decade.

Additional Atlantic Statements and agreements followed with the signature of the  Belem Statement on Atlantic Ocean Research and Innovation Cooperation in 2017 and the  All-Atlantic Ocean Research and Innovation Alliance (AAORIA) in 2022.

The celebrations, led by Micheál Martin TD, Minister for Foreign Affairs and Defence, took place in Iveagh House, Dublin and in Galway from 4-6 July to discuss the results of the cooperation and the way forward.

Further information is available in the keynote speech delivered by  Mairead McGuinness, European Commissioner for Financial Services, Financial Stability and Capital Markets Union.