As part of the implementation of the Ocean Decade, MonGOOS as a regional partner of the GOOS alliance focuses on developing and promoting the operational oceanographic services in the Mediterranean.

The Mediterranean region is considered a hotspot of vulnerability to climate change, complicated by multiple anthropogenic pressures that threaten human health and prosperity, ecosystem resources and services, the resilience of the blue economy and global markets.The region faces major challenges due to extreme events, which are likely to intensify with climate change. Addressing these impacts requires a combination of scientific research, policy-making and societal engagement to improve resilience and ensure sustainable management of marine and coastal resources.

Adaptive measures, including improved forecasting and early warning systems, infrastructure resilience, and sustainable water management, are essential to mitigate these impacts. Comprehensive monitoring, international cooperation and proactive measures are also essential for understanding and addressing these extreme events effectively.

The topics and objectives of the workshop are in line with the BlueMissionMed coordination and support project, which has three specific, interlinked and mutually supportive objectives:
(1) Protecting and restoring marine and freshwater ecosystems and biodiversity;
(2) preventing and eliminating pollution of our oceans, seas and waters and
(3) creating a carbon-neutral and circular blue economy.

The workshop will provide a forum for researchers and developers to present their work and discuss their ideas with MonGOOS experts, including  technological innovations in operational oceanography such as Artificial Intelligence, Machine Learning methods, Digital Twins and  Zero Pollution initiative.

The workshop invites contributions addressing the Mediterranean observing network, performing model-based simulations and predictions on the physics and biogeochemistry of the basin, developing practical applications, risk assessments and adaptation strategies related to extreme events.

BlueMissionMed National hubs are encouraged to showcase the progress made in line with the overarching EU mission “Restore Our Ocean and Waters”.