The Space4Ocean Alliance (S4O), initiated by the CNES, is an international action-driven coalition aimed at connecting the space sector with marine and maritime actors to enhance ocean preservation, conservation, and protection efforts.

Grounded in science and leveraging space data, in-situ measurements, and advanced digital models, the Alliance addresses critical ocean and coastal challenges, thus contributing to the achievement of global policy frameworks like the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly SDG 14. It will be officially launched at the 3rd United Nations Ocean Conference (UNOC3).

Key milestones

• Monday, June 9 in Nice (OCA): Towards Space4Ocean Alliance - Official signing of the Alliance in the presence of all partners
• Friday, June 13 in Nice (UNOC): One Earth, One Ocean: Building a Space4Ocean Alliance - Official announcement of the launch of the Alliance; presentation of the signed declaration to Peter Thomson, Special Envoy of the United Nations Secretary-General for the Ocean

Key objectives

• Strengthen collaboration between the space community and marine, maritime, and other relevant stakeholders to effectively meet needs and priorities for management of ocean and coastal areas.
• Addressing observational and operational gaps through innovative space missions and applications.
• Build capacities by promoting best practices, expanding access to observation data, and fostering training initiatives, with a focus on empowering frontline countries such as Small Island Developing States (SIDS) and Least Developed Countries (LDCs).
• Support the development of evidence-based local, regional and global ocean indicators of the state and health of the marine environment to guide decisions and policies.
• Support and promote the delivery of operational services corresponding to the most critical ocean issues:
  • Marine Biodiversity Protection: Enhanced monitoring of Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) to safeguard ecosystems.
  • Climate Change Impacts: Observation and assessment of ocean and coastal responses to climate change, natural disasters, and extreme events.
  • Sustainable Blue Economy: Promotion of sustainable practices in fisheries, aquaculture, maritime energy, and decarbonized shipping.
  • Pollution Control: Detection and mitigation of marine and coastal pollution.
  • Coastal Zone Management: Development of tools to manage coastal ecosystems under increasing anthropogenic pressures.
  • Maritime Security: Strengthened surveillance to combat illegal, unreported, and unregulated fishing activities.

Resources

• Concept note in English (PDF)
• “One page” concept note in English (PDF)
• Declaration of Interest in English (PDF)
• French summary of the concept note (PDF)