On 13 June 2024, the third edition of the Digital Ocean Forum (DOF2024) took place in Brussels, hosted under the Belgian Presidency of the Council of the European Union. The high-level event was co-organised by the European Commission’s Directorates-General for Research and Innovation (DG RTD), Maritime Affairs and Fisheries (DG MARE), and Defence, Industry, and Space (DG DEFIS). Supporting the event as key developers of the European Digital Twin Ocean (EDITO) were the Flanders Marine Institute (VLIZ) and Mercator Ocean International.
The European Digital Twin Ocean is a multidimensional, near-real-time virtual representation of the ocean. Combining marine observations, artificial intelligence, and advanced ocean modelling, the EDITO platform is openly accessible and offers unparalleled tools for exploring marine data, advancing ocean modelling, and supporting science-driven decision-making. This flagship initiative supports the European Commission’s “Restore Our Ocean and Waters” mission and is developed by Mercator Ocean International, VLIZ, the European Marine Observation and Data Network (EMODnet), and other European partners.
At DOF2024, the first pre-operational platform of the EDITO was revealed in the presence of notable attendees, including European Commissioner Iliana Ivanova (RTD) and Johan Hanssens, Secretary-General of the Flemish Department of Work, Economy, Science, Innovation, and Social Economy (WEWIS). This significant milestone delivers on a promise first made by European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen during the One Ocean Summit in Brest in February 2022.
Aligned with the EU Green Deal and the UN Decade of Ocean Science for Sustainable Development, the EDITO represents Europe’s commitment to pioneering scientific tools that transform how we address ocean challenges. The platform integrates data and services from EMODnet and the Copernicus Marine Service into a single digital framework, forming part of the core infrastructure developed by VLIZ and Mercator Ocean International. Furthermore, EDITO is fully compatible with the Climate Digital Twin / Destination Earth (DestinE), led by EC DG Connect.
The European Commission has entrusted Mercator Ocean International and VLIZ with developing the core infrastructure of EDITO. This infrastructure provides a seamless integration of marine data services, enabling unprecedented collaboration and innovation in ocean research. EDITO’s compatibility with other digital frameworks underscores its role as a central tool in Europe’s scientific ecosystem for sustainable ocean management.