The European Union and the Republic of Cape Verde cooperate more closely in the Marine Research

22 November 2018 / Mindelo and Kiel
Representatives of the EU Commission and the Cape Verdean government sign agreement at the Ocean Science Centre Mindelo

For almost a year, the Ocean Science Centre Mindelo (OSCM) has been serving as a base, hub and training centre for marine research in the Eastern Tropical Atlantic and West Africa. Yesterday, at the OSCM, which is jointly operated by the GEOMAR Helmholtz Centre for Ocean Research Kiel and the Cape Verdean National Institute for Fisheries Development (INDP), the cooperation between the Republic of Cape Verde and the European Union was raised to a more formal level. EU Commissioner for Research, Science and Innovation, Carlos Moedas, and Cape Verde Deputy Prime Minister Olavo Correira have signed a cooperation agreement aimed at strengthening research and innovation in the field of blue growth. The agreement is part of the wider EU research cooperation across the Atlantic.

The signing took place during the three-day conference "Our Atlantic Ocean for Growth and Well-Being" organized by the EU Commission at Ocean Science Centre Mindelo in collaboration with GEOMAR and INDP.

"Thanks to its geographical position, Cabo Verde offers great opportunities to study, monitor and analyse the challenges and opportunities the Atlantic Ocean holds for us”,said European Commissioner for Research, Science and Innovation Carlos Moedas. “This arrangement will support research and technologies that will unlock the potential of marine and maritime sectors, and will also create new opportunities for international cooperation”, Modeas continued.

The Cooperation Arrangement between the European Commission and the Government of the Republic of Cabo Verde will contribute to securing a sustainable Blue bioeconomy for the future in order to be able to feed a growing global population estimated at around 9.7 billion by 2050, while achieving sustainable development goals and addressing climate change and biodiversity.

"This requires increased cooperation in research and innovation in and for the Atlantic region. This will improve our understanding of the marine environment and support a more sustainable use of marine resources”, said Prof. Dr. Arne Körtzinger from GEOMAR and scientific coordinator of the OSCM.

During the conference, representatives of various interest groups discussed projects and initiatives around the Atlantic. "The meeting at the OSCM should also serve to bring together various stakeholders from the public and private sectors, from foundations, funders, research organizations, academia and NGOs from both Europe and Cabo Verde, to facilitate cooperation and to discuss how we can work together to achieve the goals of sustainable development ", explains Prof. Körtzinger. Topics such as climate change, biodiversity and food security played a major role, but also the mutual benefits that could result from the combination of science, research and innovation activities between Europe and Cabo Verde, according to Körtzinger.

Contact:
Dr. Andreas Villwock (Communication & Media), Phone: +49-431-600-2802, presse(at)geomar.de

• ec.europa.eu/info/news/commission-and-cabo-verde-strengthen-cooperation-marine-research-and-innovation-2018-nov-22_en
  EU-Agreement
• ec.europa.eu/research/bioeconomy/pdf/atlantic_ri_factsheet_2018.pdf
  Fact-Sheet
• www.oscm.cv
  Ocean Science Centre Mindelo
• https://en.xing-events.com/Mindelo2018.html?page=1599651
  Our Atlantic Ocean for Growth and Well-Being Launching the European Commission – Cabo Verde Marine Research and Innovation Cooperation Arrangement