UNOC3 Side Event launches strategic partnership for Ocean Research and Capacity Building
A significant step forward in international marine science cooperation was achieved on June 12 as Portuguese-speaking African Small Island Developing States (SIDS) committed to establishing Centers of Excellence in Marine Sciences. The initiative, presented during the official UNOC3 side event “Strengthening Marine Science and Capacity Building through the Establishment of Centers of Excellence in Portuguese-Speaking African SIDS,” was led by Cabo Verde’s Ministry of the Sea and Instituto do Mar (IMar) with support from the AIR Centre.
The comprehensive partnership brings together four island nations—Cape Verde, Guinea-Bissau, São Tomé and Príncipe, and Timor-Leste—alongside UNESCO’s SIDS Section and Germany’s GEOMAR Helmholtz Centre for Ocean Research Kiel. The collaboration aims to leverage existing scientific knowledge, regional infrastructure, and international cooperation to address critical oceanic challenges facing these vulnerable island communities.
The session gathered distinguished participation from key government officials and scientific leaders, underscoring the initiative’s strategic importance. Ministers from three African nations participated: H.E. Jorge Santos, Minister of Sea of Cabo Verde; H.E. Nilda Borges da Mata, Minister of Environment, Youth, Sustainable Tourism of São Tomé and Príncipe; and H.E. Viriato Soares Cassamá, Minister of Environment, Biodiversity, and Climate Action of Guinea-Bissau.
International organizations were represented by Mr. Vidar Helgesen, Executive Secretary of the Intergovernmental Oceanography Commission (IOC) and Assistant Director-General of UNESCO, and Professor Dr. Katja Matthes, Director of GEOMAR Helmholtz Centre for Ocean Research Kiel. The AIR Centre’s Executive Director Miguel Miranda and Yara Rodrigues, Board Member of Instituto do Mar – IMar (Cabo Verde), also participated in the discussions.
The initiative focuses on five strategic areas critical to building sustainable marine science capacity: strategic partnerships for blue science and innovation, youth capacity building with a dedicated focus on gender equality, evidence-based decision making for marine management, enhanced access to marine data and technologies, and fostering community innovation alongside regional cooperation.
The Centers of Excellence are designed to empower these communities with the knowledge, tools, and expertise needed to protect their marine environments while developing sustainable blue economies.
This represents a significant milestone in South-South cooperation, combining regional expertise with international scientific support to address some of the most pressing oceanic challenges facing island nations in the Atlantic and beyond.
Vacancy: Project Manager (PM) (CLOSED)
The Atlantic International Research Centre (AIR Centre) has a vacancy for a Project Manager (PM). You will be joining a dynamic and multidisciplinary team to support the implementation of the EU Mission Restore Our Ocean and Waters by 2030 in the Atlantic 6 Arctic basins.
Networking Friday with SENACYT – GUATEMALA
On June 23, 2023, 1:00 – 2:00 PM UTC, we will have a very special programme to commemorate Guatemala’s membership to the AIR Centre. The National Secretary of Science and Technology, Ana Chan Orantes, will introduce us to the latest policiers and achievements in science, technology and innovation in Guatemala, including the Heroines in Science Programme, which will be showcased by Karla Evelyn Paz Cardón and Carmen Lucia Barrios Guzmán.
Marine Biodiversity Networking Friday on Marine Coastal Biodiversity Long-term Observations
On June 16th, 2023, 1-2:00 PM UTC we will have a special session dedicated to the EU project MARCO-BOLO (MBO). Nicolas Pade (EMBRC), project coordinator, will present this initiative which aims to structure and strengthen European coastal and marine biodiversity observation capabilities, linking them to global efforts to understand and restore ocean health, hence ensuring that outputs respond to explicit stakeholder needs from policy, planning and industry. To this end, MBO will establish and engage with a Community of Practice (CoP) to determine end-user needs to optimize marine data flows, and knowledge uptake, and improve governance based on biodiversity observations.