Established in 1994, EuroGOOS (European Global Ocean Observing System) was formed to promote the development and uptake of operational oceanography in Europe, by fostering collaboration, identifying priorities and promoting the benefits of observing Europe's seas. The 10th EuroGOOS International Conference was organised by the EuroGOOS Office and the local hosting organisation, the Marine Institute, Ireland, led by Dr. Glenn Nolan. The EuroGOOS Executive Directors Board and experts of the EuroGOOS Regions (ROOS), Task Teams, and Working Groups formed the programme committee. The Conference was supported by Galway Convention Bureau and Fáilte Ireland.

Serving Society Through Operational Oceanography

On 3–5 October 2023, the 10th EuroGOOS International Conference, the primary gathering for operational oceanography in Europe, brought together more than 200 delegates to Galway, Ireland to exchange ideas and recent developments, and to discuss priorities in the context of the UN Decade of Ocean Science for Sustainable Development 2021–2030, and to discuss how well our ocean monitoring and forecasting are supporting societal and policy needs.

Every three years the EuroGOOS conference provides a forum for marine scientists and technologists developing operational oceanography products, and the users of these services including decision and policy-makers as well as the private sector.

In its nearly 30 years of existence, EuroGOOS has become the leading forum for European operational oceanography. The EuroGOOS community is strongly positioned to meet the challenges required by operational oceanography today and into the future, including the needs of the Green Deal and other European initiatives or directives, and to meet national policy needs. Thanks to well-developed networks facilitating regional and international cooperation, European institutions and agencies together have world-leading capacity across the ocean knowledge value chain.

Sustainability was embedded throughout the 10th EuroGOOS International Conference, which was structured around five interconnected themes, each addressing critical aspects of operational oceanography and its role in advancing sustainability:

• Theme 1: Innovation and Trends in Operational Oceanography — Focused on technological breakthroughs and innovations which enable efficient resource use, better climate predictions, and informed decision-making, supporting sustainable ocean management.
• Theme 2: Co-Designing Operational Oceanography — Promoted collaboration between scientists, policymakers, and citizens, ensuring that oceanographic systems meet societal needs, essential for sustainable marine policies and long-term resilience.
• Theme 3: Enhancing Capacities and Inclusivity — Addressed capacity building, knowledge transfer, and diversity, creating equitable access to ocean science. By empowering global communities and integrating UN Ocean Decade actions, this theme strengthened social sustainability and global cooperation.
• Theme 4: Meeting European Societal Needs — Aligned oceanography with European Green Deal, Mission Ocean, and nature-based solutions to tackle climate change, coastal hazards, and risk management. This theme emphasised ecosystem-based approaches and stakeholder engagement, ensuring ocean services contribute to a sustainable blue economy.
• Theme 5: Operational Oceanography for Climate Services — Integrated oceanographic data with climate mitigation strategies such as offshore renewables, blue carbon, and multi-trophic aquaculture. These efforts position oceanography as a cornerstone for climate resilience and carbon neutrality, advancing global sustainability goals.

Environmental Impact

The 10th EuroGOOS International Conference demonstrated a strong commitment to environmental stewardship, delivering both immediate benefits to the local community and contributing to long-term sustainability goals for European seas.

• Prioritising Sustainable Materials: The conference prioritised sustainable materials and digital solutions, replacing single-use items with recyclable coffee cups and lanyards, and reducing paper waste through the use of QR codes and digital content.
• Carbon Footprint Reduction: By sourcing food from local vendors and encouraging delegates to utilise public transport and other low-carbon travel options, the event significantly minimised its environmental impact.
• Promotion of Marine Sustainability: An evening session co-hosted by Galway Aquarium spotlighted the sustainable use of European seas, fostering awareness and dialogue among participants.
• Alignment with Global and Regional Strategies: The conference actively supported the implementation of key environmental frameworks, including the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change, the EU Marine Strategy Framework Directive, Marine Spatial Planning, and the Water Framework Directive. Lunch resulted in minimal food waste. Conference menus also ensured vegetarian options as standard.

The Future of EuroGOOS

EuroGOOS represents the collective voice of the European operational oceanography community and will continue to serve as the primary forum for its coordination and development, to meet the needs of all users of marine knowledge, information, products and services. The EuroGOOS Community looks forward to addressing the UN Ocean Decade Challenges and meeting its objectives. Results of these efforts will advance Europe as a leader in operational oceanography and ocean observing globally.

EuroGOOS, and the Marine Institute, are proud to have hosted the 10th EuroGOOS International Conference in Galway, a cornerstone event for operational oceanography in Europe. Bringing together over 300 ocean experts, this conference was more than a meeting – it was a catalyst for collaboration and innovation. The conference was deemed a great success by organisers and participants alike. The gathering brought the community together in Galway to experience the city's vibrant energy while immersing themselves in thought-provoking discussions and groundbreaking ideas. By aligning with the UN Decade of Ocean Science for Sustainable Development, we are collectively shaping solutions that are vital to delivering sustainable marine services and achieving climate and biodiversity targets. Hosting this conference underscores our commitment to a future where ocean knowledge drives resilience, sustainability, and prosperity for all.

The 7th EUGEO Conference was aligned with many UN Sustainable Development Goals including

EUGEO is the Association of Geographical Societies in Europe. The aim of EUGEO is to represent its members at the European level and to coordinate and initiate joint activities of the members to advance research and education on the Geography of Europe and to promote the scientific discipline, th eschool subject and the professional practice of Geography in Europe.