Co-operation is key, says MGQ at World Ocean Council
The European Commissioner for Research, Innovation and Science, Máire Geoghegan-Quinn, has stressed the importance of collaborative efforts in a speech in New York City.
Addressing the World Ocean Council in the United States, the outgoing commissioner highlighted partnership in science-based ocean policy and marine planning and drew attention to the Galway Statement on Atlantic Ocean Cooperation signed in 2013 between the EU, USA and Canada. She said there was now the “perfect forum” to “present this co-operation to industry” and “to identify ways to collaborate and better address the Atlantic together”.
Geoghegan-Quinn also emphasised the importance and contributions of Horizon 2020, particularly with regard to marine research and innovation. She underscored the research and innovation framework programme’s cross-cutting Blue Growth Focus Area, which encourages “Atlantic Ocean co-operation to support the Transatlantic Ocean Research Alliance”.
“Horizon 2020 represents a major opportunity for the ocean industries, whether based in Europe or North America – I hope that you will work together to take full advantage of all it offers,” Geoghegan-Quinn said.
The commissioner also announced the development of “an information platform on marine research and innovation” across Horizon 2020 and within the EU member states to overcome research fragmentation.
