The sixth edition of the annual conference “Atlantic Stakeholder Platform” took place in Porto, Portugal, between November 12th and 13th, gathering a large number of European stakeholders, “to meet, seek ways of cooperation, share information and identify funding and financial opportunities and partnerships for their projects and business”.
The All-Atlantic Ocean Research Alliance was present through a dedicated workshop session, in which the EU-funded projects AORA-CSA and AANChOR-CSA had the opportunity to showcase and disseminate their activities in support of the Galway Statement and the Belém Statement, as well as other cooperation agreements between the EU and several Atlantic nations.
The AORA-CSA Director, Margaret Rae, invited the audience to join the next edition of the #GoAtlanticBlue campaign, an initiative that relies heavily on social media, for everyone to broadcast and celebrate their own unique connections to the Atlantic Ocean. With very simple gestures and clever ideas to “turn blue”, it is possible for all of us to celebrate the Atlantic Ocean.
The AANChOR representative, Marta Norton, explained that the All-Atlantic Ocean Research Alliance has recently launched five stakeholders’ Platforms, gathering the best capacities and marine experts from three continents – Europe, America and Africa – with the aim to discuss and propose joint transatlantic actions aiming at long-lasting impacts on the Belém Statement thematic areas.
Four of the All-Atlantic Ocean Youth Ambassadors also attended the event. They have shown the progress of their campaigns that will be launched at the All-Atlantic Ocean Research Forum, taking place from 6 – 7 February 2020 in Brussels. This initiative provides a successful example on how to empower the next generation of researchers, activists, politicians, educators, entrepreneurs, etc, for sustainable development, along and across the Atlantic basin.
Stay tune for more updates about the construction of the All-Atlantic Ocean Community and its associated events and initiates.