EU Mission Forum unites stakeholders to advance ocean and water restoration, showcasing innovation and policy integration for 2030 goals
The third annual Forum of the EU Mission ‘Restore our Ocean and Waters’ commenced today, with Commissioners Ekaterina Zaharieva and Costa Kadis welcoming stakeholders from across Europe to assess progress and set the future course for ocean and water restoration efforts.
A Pan-European Commitment to Marine Restoration
Held as part of the European Ocean Days (3-7 March), the Forum convened 1,800 participants, including policymakers, regional authorities, fisheries and conservation communities, researchers, and innovators. Representatives from nearly 100 Horizon Europe projects joined to showcase pioneering solutions to pressing marine and freshwater challenges.
Commissioners Zaharieva and Kadis emphasised the urgency of advancing the Mission’s deployment agenda up to 2030, ensuring that restoration efforts are embedded within future EU policies on ocean and water conservation.
“The Mission Ocean Forum is about action, not just ambition,” said Commissioner Zaharieva, responsible for Startups, Research and Innovation. “With over 1,000 commitments to the Mission Charter, communities across Europe are stepping up to protect our ocean and waters. Now, we need to turn that energy into lasting change.”
Echoing this sentiment, Commissioner Kadis, responsible for Fisheries and Oceans, highlighted the significance of the recently launched European Ocean Pact. “The ocean offers us many opportunities, but in return we must treat it with care. Research and innovation will be critical in helping us address complex challenges and making our blue economy more competitive and resilient.”
Showcasing Innovation and Progress
The Forum spotlighted the achievements of the Mission’s four ‘lighthouses,’ which span the Atlantic and Arctic, the Baltic and North Sea, the Mediterranean, and the Black Sea-Danube region. Notable projects include:
- Wetland restoration to bolster flood resilience.
- Deployment of ocean-cleaning robots and river litter removal initiatives.
- Decarbonisation of small-scale fisheries.
- Training of ‘ocean gardeners’ to regenerate underwater forests.
Additionally, 17 Horizon Europe-funded projects were exhibited, presenting breakthroughs in aquatic ecosystem protection, pollution prevention, and advancements in circular and carbon-neutral blue economies.
Defining the Future of EU Ocean and Water Policy
Discussions at the Forum centred on the Mission’s strategic direction, with a strong emphasis on scaling up innovative solutions and fostering collaboration at national, regional, and local levels. The increasing engagement of citizens, NGOs, businesses, and policymakers underscored a collective commitment to achieving the Mission’s ambitious 2030 targets.
Background on the EU Mission ‘Restore Our Ocean and Waters’
Launched in September 2021, the EU Mission ‘Restore our Ocean and Waters’ aims to safeguard the health of Europe’s marine and freshwater ecosystems by 2030 through a combination of research, citizen engagement, and sustainable investment. The Mission operates through region-specific ‘lighthouses’ to drive restoration efforts in major European sea and river basins, playing a pivotal role in the EU’s broader climate neutrality and nature restoration goals.
As the Forum concluded its opening sessions, it reaffirmed the EU’s determination to protect and revitalise its oceans and waters, ensuring a sustainable and resilient future for European marine and freshwater ecosystems.
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