Brussels will host the 2025 All-Atlantic Ocean Research and Innovation Alliance (AAORIA) Forum on 25-26 September, bringing together representatives from across the Atlantic basin. The Charlemagne building will welcome AAORIA Partners from Argentina, Brazil, Canada, Cabo Verde, Ghana, the European Union, Morocco, Norway, South Africa, the United Kingdom, and the United States.
The Intergenerational Dialogue returns as a key Forum component, building on the 2024 edition’s success when over 30 Early Career Ocean Professionals (ECOPs) delivered six policy briefs directly to the AAORIA High Level Board (HLB).
Organised by the EU-funded OKEANO Coordination and Support Action (CSA) and led by JPI Oceans in collaboration with Sigi Gruber, Active Senior Expert at the European Commission, the 2025 edition is once again designed to foster meaningful exchanges between ECOPs and senior ocean experts.
Broader mandate and deeper impact
This year’s programme expands its scope significantly, with improved participation of more ECOPs sponsored by Institutions and Organisations from Atlantic countries.
Building on the previous year’s focus on the two AAORIA areas of action, the 2025 Dialogue encompasses all seven 2022 Declaration priorities, from climate-ocean relationships and marine biodiversity protection to pollution mitigation and sustainable ocean economies. Moreover, ECOPs will be invited to consider four cross-theme pillars when drafting their pitches, namely science-to-policy interactions, inter and Intra-disciplinarity, community and intergenerational engagement, and storytelling. This expansion gives ECOPs greater latitude to tackle the issues most relevant to their expertise and regional contexts.
Virtual preparatory sessions begin in late August and continue through September, allowing selected ECOPs to establish connections and understand both the Alliance history and related policymaking processes. The intensive in-person component starts on 23 September, when ECOPs collaborate with senior discussion coaches to develop their policy briefs and present them as pitch presentations at the Forum’s plenary session on 25-26 September as a tangible outcome. Following their presentations, ECOPs will then finalise policy briefs for formal AAORIA High Level Board consideration and implementation.
Further activities include side events, networking opportunities, a visit to the European Parliament during a PECH Committee meeting with the opportunity to meet and discuss with Members of the European Parliament (MEPs), hosted by MEP AndrĂ© Rodrigues. ECOPs will also participate in the wider Forum plenary, speaking on panels, engaging in discussions, and working closely with stakeholders across the Atlantic community. The initiative aims to empower ECOPs, encouraging them to take an active role in shaping AAORIA’s work in addressing critical Atlantic challenges.
The OYSTER (Orienting Young ScienTists of EuromaRine) sponsorship introduces a new element this year by awarding all participating ECOPs with a prize. This addition reflects growing recognition of the programme’s policy relevance.Â
Looking forward
After over a decade of Alliance activity, the Intergenerational Dialogue has proven its value in channelling early-career perspectives into policy development and fostering Dialogue not only from coast to coast and pole to pole, but also across generations. Each edition of this initiative positions ECOPs not as observers but as active contributors to Atlantic Ocean governance.
The 2025 gathering represents both continuity and change by maintaining the collaborative mentorship model whilst expanding thematic scope and competitive elements. For ECOPs seeking policy influence, the Dialogue offers direct access to decision-makers across the Atlantic community.
The Intergenerational Dialogue is invite-only. However, registration for the Forum and side events is free for all – please register here. Updates are available through AAORIA newsletter and social media channels.
