Galway Statement 10 Year Celebration

5th July, 2023: Yesterday, the Marine Institute, along with the Department of Foreign Affairs and the European Commission co-hosted a high-level celebration in Iveagh House, Dublin, marking 10 years of the Galway Statement - a decade of marine research cooperation across the Atlantic Ocean.

The milestone event, entitled "10 Years of the Galway Statement. Celebrating a decade of marine research cooperation along and across the Atlantic Ocean - Our Shared Resource" will continue today and Thursday at the Marine Institute and the University of Galway. 

The Galway Statement is a landmark agreement signed by representatives of the European Union, the United States and Canada who agreed to join forces on Atlantic Ocean Research. The goal was to better understand the Atlantic Ocean and promote the sustainable management of its resources. The Agreement aimed to connect the ocean observation efforts of the three partners. The work also studied the interplay of the Atlantic Ocean with the Arctic Ocean, particularly in relation to climate change.

This celebration showcases and reflects on the achievements of the All-Atlantic Ocean Research and Innovation Alliance (AAORIA), which has grown to become truly all-Atlantic - from East to West, North to South, and from the Arctic to Antarctica. The event also focused on the coming years, through high-level dialogue and intergenerational discussion, on this model for science diplomacy.

Yesterday’s event programme included presentations on discoveries and achievements from the past decade, while looking to the future with discussion on the future of AAORIA. 

The Marine Institute coordinated the Atlantic Ocean Research Alliance Coordination and Support Action up to 2020, partners in many of the Mission Ocean initiatives and looks forward to playing a pivotal role in the implementation of the All Atlantic Research and Innovation Alliance. The Marine Institute has recently launched its new five-year corporate strategy (2023-2027) which sets out eight strategic priorities centering on transforming the Institute’s knowledge, advice and services to benefit people, policy and planet. Ocean Knowledge that Informs and Inspires sets out a roadmap to enable Ireland to deliver on national and EU policy goals on sustainable seafood production, ocean science and management, environment and biodiversity, maritime transport, offshore renewable energy and climate action.

Commenting on the event, Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Charlie McConalogue said “As an island nation, bordering the Atlantic Ocean, Ireland’s culture, heritage and identity are intrinsically linked to the Ocean that surrounds it.  The Galway Statement has been instrumental in fostering a decade of marine research cooperation. It has led to the development of numerous collaborative projects and initiatives in which Ireland will continue to play a significant role over the next decade.

Michael Gillooly, Interim CEO of the Marine Institute said, “The Galway Statement and AAORIA have delivered an exemplary example of science diplomacy. The Marine Institute is proud to have contributed to this important work and we look forward to continued cooperation with the other members of the alliance”.

Further sessions are planned over the next two days showcasing the profound impact of the past decade's marine research collaboration. A significant program highlight will be the intergenerational discussion session to engage with Early Career Ocean Professionals, contributing to the AAORIA.

ENDS

For more information, please contact:
Sheila Byrnes, Marine Institute e. sheila.byrnes@marine.ie m. +353 (0)87 815 5271
Sinéad Coyne, Marine Institute e. sinead.coyne@marine.ie m. +353 (0)87 947 7090

Notes to Editor:

About the Galway Statement and the All-Atlantic Ocean Research and Innovation Alliance Declaration
Since the signing of the Galway Statement in 2013 by Canada, the European Union, and the United States of America, over 1000 research teams have joined forces to accomplish remarkable feats. These achievements include mapping the North Atlantic seabed, uncovering new deep-water volcanoes and species, investigating the effects of deep-sea mining and climate change on biodiversity, establishing a network of “floating universities”, sharing research infrastructures in the Atlantic and Arctic regions, making significant strides in joint research endeavours, and ultimately benefiting coastal communities, citizens, and young people. These accomplishments serve as a legacy to be pursued in our ongoing efforts to implement the All-Atlantic Ocean Research and Innovation Alliance Declaration, which seeks to develop an All-Atlantic Research Alliance that is accessible, inclusive, and committed to expanding knowledge about the Atlantic Ocean.

About the Marine Institute
The Marine Institute provides government, public agencies and the maritime industry with a range of scientific, advisory and economic development services that inform policy-making, regulation and the sustainable management and growth of Ireland’s marine resources. The Institute undertakes, coordinates and promotes marine research and development, which is essential to achieving a sustainable ocean economy, protecting ecosystems and inspiring a shared understanding of the ocean.

(L-R) Mick Gillooly, Interim CEO for Marine Institute; John Bell, Director for Healthy Planet, DG R&I, European Commission, Hein Pieper, Chairman of the Dutch water authority Rijn en IJssel, President of the European Union of Water Management Associations (EUWMA); Mairéad McGuinness, EU Commissioner for Financial Stability, Financial Services and the Capital Markets Union; Francois Houllier, President and CEO IFREMER; Steve Thur, Assistant Administrator for Research, NOAA; and Patricia Reilly, Chef de cabin