The All-Atlantic Ocean Research and Innovation Alliance (AAORIA) Forum, co-hosted by South Africa’s Department of Science and Innovation (DSI) and the European Commission’s Directorate-General for Research and Innovation, took place at the Cape Town International Convention Centre in November 2023. SAEON’s Egagasini Node was the logistics host for the Forum.

The South African Polar Research Infrastructure (SAPRI), one of 13 large research infrastructures developed by the DSI as part of the South African Research Infrastructure Roadmap (SARIR) and hosted at the Egagasini Node, was invited to exhibit at the Forum.

The All-Atlantic Ocean Research and Innovation Alliance is the result of science diplomacy efforts involving countries from both sides of the Atlantic Ocean. The AAORIA Declaration was signed on 14 July 2022, building on the work of the  Galway Statement (2013) and the Belém Statement (2018) to prioritise the coordination of Atlantic Ocean research, promote circular, sustainable and inclusive ocean economies, promote ocean literacy and broaden engagement in ocean sciences and ocean sustainability.

Framework for research and innovation cooperation 

The Cape Town AAORIA Forum was organised to establish a framework for the All-Atlantic Ocean research and innovation cooperation for the next decade, with the priorities of the AAORIA Declaration aligned with global commitments such as the UN Decade of Ocean Science for Sustainable Development. The forum brought together representatives of government, the research community, society, the private sector, NGOs and global Atlantic Ocean sectors to craft a common path aligned with the aspirations of the AAORIA Declaration.

With an emphasis on bringing in new partners and supporters, as well as identifying priorities and an implementation plan for AAORIA moving forward, the Forum involved African countries in the Atlantic Ocean with active research and innovation activities. Mrs Tracy Klarenbeek, Director of Knowledge Advancement and Support at the National Research Foundation’s Research Innovation Support and Advancement (NRF-RISA), participated in a session about engaging African partners/supporters in the All-Atlantic Ocean through her affiliation with SANOCEAN.

The manager of the Egagasini Node and SAPRI, Professor Juliet Hermes, participated in a round table discussion with other panellists to discuss the African and Adjacent Island States Ocean Decade Taskforce, where African involvement was further emphasised.

To take stock of the wide-ranging discussions associated with the AAORIA programmes and initiatives, two side events were held during the week of the forum. The first was a side event on polar research run by the Marine and Antarctic Research Centre for Innovation and Sustainability (MARiS), the University of Cape Town (UCT), the Nansen Tutu Center for Marine Environmental Research, the Royal Norwegian Ministry of Trade, Industry and Fisheries, the Royal Norwegian Embassy in Pretoria, the Norwegian Institute for Marine Research and the Norwegian Polar Institute at the UCT Graduate School of Business Conference Centre in Cape Town. One of the speakers at this event was Dr Tamaryn Morris (Ocean and Polar Coordinator, NRF-SAEON and SAPRI), who presented on the progress of SAPRI since its initial introduction at the AAORIA Forum in Washington DC in 2022.

The second side event was the Brazil–South Africa Workshop on Advanced Digital Technologies for Ocean Science held at the Department of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment’s Oceans and Coasts branch. During this event, the expected outcomes were addressed. These included shortlisting of the AAORIA priorities for 2024, input into the implementation plan which the steering committee and high-level board will conclude, endorsement of new AAORIA partners and participation of supporters, with emphasis on society and industry partners.

Dr Tamaryn Morris participated in a radio interview with Power FM to reflect on the event’s success, while also engaging in a conversation about ocean literacy to further engage the public.

All-Atlantic Ocean art, poetry and video competition

NRF-SAEON — in partnership with the DSI — hosted an art, poetry and video competition on the Atlantic Ocean. The competition was conceptualised to engage, educate and inspire all Grade R to 12 learners in the country to appreciate and protect the ocean.