The EMODnet Vision Drafting Group for the EMODnet Vision to 2035

On 30th November 2023, an EMODnet Call to Action was launched at the Closing Session of the EMODnet Open Conference 2023. The Call to Action outlined EMODnet’s achievements to-date, emerging areas of development, and the need for an evolution in the governance and funding of EMODnet, to ensure a fully functioning, sustainable EC marine data service. This also called upon the >120 partners of EMODnet and key actors in the European and Global community to actively contribute to developing an EMODnet Vision to 2035, with an implementation roadmap that would realise the full potential of EMODnet. 

To coordinate the EMODnet Vision 2035, and ensure the content reflects the vision of the diverse EMODnet community, the EMODnet Secretariat has set up an “EMODnet Vision 2035 Drafting Group (EMODnet VDG)”, as an informal working group that serves as a platform and forum for strategic and foresight discussions representing the EMODnet community and taking into consideration guidance and recommendation from the wider stakeholder community.

The EMODnet VDG includes representatives of all key EMODnet components, namely the Central Portal and Secretariat, 7 thematic groups, data ingestion, sea-basin checkpoints, and Associated Partners. Members were sourced from a call for nominations to the full EMOD-network. The EMODnet VDG also includes representatives from some key actors in the European and International ocean observation and marine data landscape, including Copernicus Marine Service, EuroGOOS, EuroGeoSurveys, SeaDataNet, ICES, IHO, IODE, and the UN Ocean Decade DCC for Ocean Data Sharing.

The first EMODnet VDG meeting was held in April 2024 and the second on 24th June 2024. In July - September 2024 EMODnet will also launch a public consultation, for the EMOD-network and wider stakeholders to have their say in EMODnet's service evolution to 2035.

Table 1. List of EMODnet Vision 2035 Drafting Group Members. *VDG co-Chairs