The “Atlantic Observation Strategies” working meeting took place in Buenos Aires, Argentina, on 6 June 2019. Its main goals were to promote transatlantic cooperation within the framework of the All Atlantic Ocean Research Alliance, encompassing both the Galway and the Belém Statements and the recent arrangements signed between the EU and Argentina and the EU and Cape Verde.
The female-dominated event addressed the transatlantic cooperation within the EU’s international ocean governance agenda, namely in what deals with promoting ocean research, data and science in the Atlantic Ocean from the Artic to the Antarctic. Initiatives and projects contributing to the All Atlantic Ocean Research Alliance were deeply discussed, including the AtlantOS project and its future programme, as well as the Argentinean-lead initiatives Pampa Azul and SABIAMar.
Sebastián Guerriere, Undersecretary of Policies in Science, Technology and Innovation of the Secretariat of Government in Science, Technology and Productive Innovation (SGTeIP) opened the event, which also counted with the participation of Jorge Mariano Jordan, the National Director of Cooperation and Institutional Integration of SGTeIP. The Belém Co-chairs were represented by Sigi Gruber, Head of Healthy Oceans and Seas Unit at DG-RTD (EU) and Andrei Polejack, General Coordinator for Oceans, Antarctica and Geosciences at the Ministry of Science, Technology, Innovation and Communications (MCTIC, Brazil).
This working meeting was organized by SGTeIP in the occasion of the celebration of the 20th anniversary of the Argentina – European Union Agreement on Science and Technology. At the high-level celebration conference on June 7th the importance of marine research cooperation in the Atlantic area was seen as crucial to sustainable manage the Atlantic ocean resources, promoting blue growth and jobs creation as well as the wellbeing of Atlantic citizens. This meeting has been organised with the support of the AANChOR project, the Coordination and Support Action supporting the implementation of the All Atlantic Ocean Research Alliance.
