Ocean Days: Ursula von der Leyen launched OceanEye, the European observation and protection initiative

Ursula von der Leyen, president of the European Commission, launched “OceanEye”, "an ambitious European ocean observation initiative", at the opening ceremony of the European Ocean days, taking place from 02 to 06/02/2026 in Brussels.

First announced during the 2025 UNOC (in Nice, France), this initiative "aims to lay the foundation for Europe's sovereign and cutting-edge ocean observation technology infrastructure supporting international efforts in ocean observation and protection".

OceanEye will be built on the European Digital Twin of the Ocean (EDITO project) and Copernicus' marine programme. As an "essential element of the European Ocean Pact", OceanEye will "support EU ocean technology and innovation, and will position the EU at the forefront of international efforts to deliver a sustained Global Ocean Observing System".

The president added that "the marine data network must be recognised as vital planetary infrastructure. This will replace the current system of voluntary cooperation, with a more structured model which is properly supported by its members".

As a "first step…