About
The All-Atlantic Ocean Research and Innovation Alliance (AAORIA) is an ocean science diplomacy initiative uniting countries from both sides of the Atlantic Ocean in contributing to the science needed to support ocean policy, governance and management on domestic, regional and international scales in the Atlantic region.
AAORIA fosters a large and inclusive All-Atlantic community, advancing science cooperation in line with international law. The ultimate shared goal is to ensure the conservation and sustainable use of the Atlantic Ocean. AAORIA and its goals are underpinned by the All-Atlantic Declaration signed in 2022 in Washington DC by Argentina, Brazil, Cabo Verde, Canada, Morocco, South Africa, the United States of America and the European Union, with ever growing interest and support from further countries and partners. Since 2022, Norway, the United Kingdom, Iceland, Senegal and Ghana have also joined the Alliance.
The Declaration builds upon and ties together the success of two previous cooperation initiatives – the 2013 Galway Statement on Atlantic Ocean Cooperation and the 2017 Belém Statement on Atlantic Ocean Research and Innovation Cooperation, as well as on several other international bilateral and multilateral instruments.
Importance
The Atlantic Ocean is an invaluable and extensive resource that supports numerous countries, cultures, and livelihoods. Effective cooperation is essential for its sustainable management and health. Recognizing this imperative, AAORIA fosters a shared vision to enhance scientific collaboration, advancing outcome-oriented Atlantic Ocean science and innovation, in particular for the benefit of citizens living on the Atlantic Ocean shores.
Implementation
The All-Atlantic Ocean Research and Innovation Alliance (AAORIA) has been implemented through many ongoing bottom-up initiatives and projects, bringing together more than 1000 research teams along and across the Atlantic Ocean.
The EU has funded three Coordination and Support actions (CSA) to support the implementation of this ongoing work across and along the Atlantic Ocean.
Major Steps in Building the
All Atlantic Research Community
European Union Maritime Strategy for the Atlantic Ocean Area | 2011
European Union Action Plan for a Maritime Strategy in the Atlantic Area | 2013
Galway Statement on Atlantic Ocean Cooperation | 2013
Atlantic Ocean Research Alliance (AORA) EU funded CSA | 2015
Belém Statement on Atlantic Research and Innovation Cooperation | 2017
All AtlaNtic Cooperation for Ocean Research and innovation (AANCHOR) EU funded CSA | 2018
European Commission - Argentina Administrative Arrangement on Marine Research and Innovation Cooperation | 2018
Mindelo Arrangement on Marine Research and Innovation Cooperation | 2018
European Commission - Morocco Administrative Arrangement on Marine Research & Innovation Cooperation | 2020
All-Atlantic Ocean Research & Innovation Alliance Declaration | 2022
United Kingdom and Norway | 2023
OKEANO EU funded CSA | 2024
Iceland and Senegal | 2024
Ghana | 2025
Frequently Asked Questions
Need more information about the Alliance? Have a look at our FAQs
AAORIA Terms of Reference (TORs)
If you want to become an official Partner or Supporter of the All-Atlantic Ocean Research and Innovation Alliance, or if you are interested in AAORIA’s working modalities, download this document in English or in French.
