In this instalment of the All-Atlantic Ocean Research and Innovation Alliance interview campaign, high-level AAORIA Partners reflect on both the opportunities and the challenges of being part of this ambitious endeavour. Without giving too much away, their insights make it clear that the rewards far outweigh the hurdles.
The 2025 All-Atlantic Ocean Research and Innovation Alliance (AAORIA) Forum brought together people united by a shared vision for the ocean. Participants gathered to celebrate the extraordinary progress that has been achieved so far – from a simple idea to the thriving community we have today, encompassing several research projects across the Atlantic. This Forum marked the official welcome to James Morrison as the new DG RTD Director ‘Healthy Planet’ – European Commission, succeeding John Bell in this role. On the opening day of the 2025 Forum, both took the stage to discuss AAORIA’s ongoing evolution, followed by our interviews in which they reflected on the past, present and future of the Alliance.
James Morrison expressed his ambition to expand AAORIA’s main areas of action, and he inspired more countries to join the Alliance, emphasising the opportunity to be stronger together. The Alliance continues to give the Atlantic Ocean a collective voice, echoing John Bell’s statement on Science being Nature’s diplomacy. By focusing on community and collaboration, AAORIA harnesses its greatest strength: the ability to place the Atlantic’s needs at the centre of policy, legislation, funding and research. With 13 current member countries, each brings valuable resources to the table, from advanced research infrastructure to rich local knowledge. Every contribution, regardless of scale, is vital to unlocking the secrets the Atlantic Ocean holds and furthering its protection.
At this year’s Forum, Ghana was formally welcomed as a new member of AAORIA through the Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission of UNESCO, hosted by the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR). Divine Hotor was interviewed as Ghana representative, underscoring the belief that the ocean has no borders and that what happens in one country can reflect in all others. He also stated that joining the Alliance will directly benefit Ghana’s people and their ocean stewardship efforts. Canada, one of the founding members of the Alliance since the signing of the Galway statement in 2013, reaffirmed its long-standing commitment to AAORIA’s mission. From Canada, we heard from David Morin, who highlighted the importance of joint research as one of the Alliance’s greatest strengths, as it enables countries to pool together their expertise, identify tangible projects and transform knowledge into action for the benefit of all.
The collaboration spirit and sense of community fostered by the Alliance are central to its success. By sharing information and resources, avoiding duplicated efforts, and investing in capacity building, AAORIA helps ease economic and structural pressures on individual countries while advancing collective progress. Together, we are building a community where every contribution matters and where the Atlantic Ocean truly unites us all.
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