Launching the Belem Statement

Today sees the launch of the Belem statement, a joint Declaration on Atlantic Ocean Research and Innovation Cooperation between the European Union, Brazil and South Africa. This follows the Galway statement for the North Atlantic cooperation, signed in 2013, and reflects a significant move towards a joined up, integrated approach to research and development across the whole Atlantic Ocean and its bordering countries.

The high-level Ministerial and scientific event is hosted by Carlos Moedas, European Commissioner for Research, Science and Innovation, and is part of a three day conference titled 'A new era of blue enlightenment'. Updates from the meeting can be followed on Twitter using #AtlanticAll. Representatives of the European Marine Board ExCom, Board and Secretariat are participating in the event, which includes workshops on building an Atlantic research community with topics spanning ocean literacy to ocean observation (e.g. AtlantOS).