EPB Contributions to EU Ocean Research and Innovation Strategy Consultation Events

The European Polar Board (EPB) was invited to participate in both EU stakeholder consultation events on the European Ocean Research and Innovation (R&I) Strategy, held in Brussels on 2 December 2025 and 3 March 2026. These events brought together a wide range of stakeholders to contribute to shaping the future EU Ocean R&I Strategy, with discussions focusing on Europe’s added value in ocean science, ocean health, the blue economy, and ocean technologies.

The EPB Executive Secretary, Dr. Maria Grigoratou participated in the first consultation on 2 December 2025, contributing a strong polar perspective to the discussions. The intervention highlighted the critical importance of polar regions for understanding global ocean processes and climate change, and emphasised the need to fully integrate polar research into the European Ocean R&I Strategy. This includes ensuring sustained investment in long-term observations, research infrastructures, and international collaboration across both ocean and polar domains.

During the second consultation, held as part of the European Ocean Days on 3 March 2026, Dr. Daan Blok, member of the EPB Executive Committee, participated as a panellist on behalf of the EPB. In his intervention, he underscored the importance of polar regions in shaping research priorities for understanding the ocean system and highlighted the need for concrete solutions that translate scientific knowledge into actionable and sustainable outcomes. These include improving the status of marine ecosystems, strengthening coastal resilience, and supporting biodiversity and human well-being.

Through these contributions, the EPB aims to strengthen the presence of polar research within EU ocean strategies, highlighting the importance of planetary connections between the polar regions and the global ocean system.