One Ocean Workshop on the UN Ocean Decade Goals
- securing observations thru collaboration in research and education across the Atlantic
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As part of the One Ocean Expedition and the One Ocean Field course lead by the University of Bergen on "Interdisciplinary Climate Science, Policy, and Human-Nature Connections", the University of the Azores and the University of Texas at Austin are hosting a workshop in Ponta Delgada, Azores.
Dates: 5th - 7th of July, 2025
Venue: University of Azores, Ponta Delgada Campus
Workshop Partners: UT Austin-Portugal Program, Real Embaixada da Noruega em Lisboa, OKEANOS, Institute of Marine Research, University of the Azores, Portuguese National Committee for the UN Ocean Decade, Portuguese Committee for the IOC-UNESCO, CIBIO/InBio_Açores
Main workshop themes aligning with the UN Ocean Decade Goals:
- Ocean crisis and ocean based solutions
- Increasing community resilience to ocean and coastal risks
- Expanding the Global Ocean Observing System
- Restore society’s relationship with the ocean
By bringing together leading experts and stakeholders, the workshop aims to strengthen international cooperation in research and education.
Saturday the 5th of July, 2025
Venue: Auditorium Norte, University of the Azores, Ponta Delgada Campus
09:30-10:00 - Coffee and registration in the foyer
10:00-12:00 – Opening Session
“How Portugal and Norway contribute to meeting the goals of the UN Ocean Decade – results so far and plans for the future”
10:00-10:10 Welcome remarks by Francisco Martins, Vice-Rector, University of the Azores
10:10-10:30 Panel 1: Results from the Ocean Collaboration between Norway and Portugal: From Blue Growth to Maritime Industries
Karina Asbjørnsen, Chargée d'affaires, Norwegian Embassy in Lisbon
Marisa Lameiras da Silva, Director General, DGPM - Programme Operator “Blue Growth” Programme (EEA Grants)
Moderator: Endre Tvinnereim, University of Bergen, One Ocean Expedition Field Course
10:30-11:00 Panel 2: How the One Ocean Expedition is contributing to advancing the UN Ocean Decade
Otília Macedo Reis, Executive Director at Fulbright Portugal - Commission for Educational Exchange between the USA and Portugal
Kerim Hestnes Nisancioglu, University of Bergen, Bjerknes Center for Climate Research, and the One Ocean Expedition Field Course
Patrick Heimbach, University of Texas at Austin - Portugal Program
Moderator: Endre Tvinnereim, University of Bergen, One Ocean Expedition Field Course
11:00-11:15 Q & A
11:15-11:30 Closing remarks by Mário Rui Pinho, Regional Secretary for the Sea and Fisheries, Azores Government
12:00-13:30 Lunch at the university campus (building 8 on campus map)
13:00 Introductions and welcome to the Science workshop
Venue: Auditorium Norte, University of the Azores, Ponta Delgada Campus
Patrick Heimbach (University of Texas at Austin), representing the UT Austin Portugal Program
Representative of the workshop organizers (CIBIO- Azores and Institute OKEANOS, University of the Azores)
National Committee for the UN Ocean Decade (Portugal)
14:00 Keynotes: Ocean Decade – The Science We Need For The Ocean We Want – COI
- Susan Roberts (NASEM/OSB) on the UN Ocean Decade
- Peter Haugan (Institute of Marine Research, Norway) on Sustainable Ocean Economy
- Luis Pinheiro (COI-UNESCO Portugal)
Followed by a panel discussion moderated by Ana C. Costa (CIBIO-Azores and Institute OKEANOS, University of the Azores)
15:00-15:30 - Coffee in the foyer
15:30-17:00 Session 1: Ocean crisis and ocean-based solutions (Challenge 5)
Presentations (4 x 10 min + time for questions):
- Telmo Morato (Institute OKEANOS, University of the Azores): Cost-effective deep-sea research in the Azores supported the designation of the largest network of MPAs in the N. Atlantic
- Marina Carreiro- Silva (Institute OKEANOS, University of the Azores): Ecological restoration of cold-water coral habitats under climate and human changes
- Joana Barcelos e Ramos (ITTA, University of the Azores): Marine Microbial Communities in a Changing Ocean
- Adriano Quintela (Blue Azores): From the designation to the implementation of the Azores Marine Protected Areas Network
Panel discussion (30min) moderated by Veronique Bugnion (John Hopkins University)
(18:00 Check-in at Statsraad Lehmkhul for field course participants)
20:00 Dinner in the foyer (Auditorium Norte)
21:00 Open event for participants and the public
Venue: Aula Magna, University of the Azores, Ponta Delgada Campus (same buildling as Auditorium Norte)
Introduction by Bruce Howe (Chair, ITU/WMO/UNESCO-IOC Joint Task Force SMART Cables). SMART Cables for Observing the Ocean including a brief video: SMART Cables: Telecommunication Cables and Environmental Sensing
Viewing of film: The island of Giants (A Ilha dos Gigantes); directed by Nuno Sá. Duration: 52 min.
Sunday 6th of July
Venue: Auditorium Norte, University of the Azores, Ponta Delgada Campus
09:00 Session 2: Increasing community resilience to ocean and coastal risks (Challenge 6)
Presentations (4 x 10 min + time for questions):
- Rui Marques (IVAR, University of the Azores): Living on the Edge: Landslide Susceptibility Assessment of Coastal Cliffs Based on Probabilistic Modeling
- Veronique Bugnion (Johns Hopkins University): Sea level rise
- Kiat Ng (cEc, FCUL, University of the Azores): Transforming resilience: Co-creating nature-based solutions that restore right relationship
- Lars Hole (Norwegian Met Office): ChemicalDrift - a new open source model for ocean pollution
10:00-10:30 Panel discussion moderated by Endre Tvinnereim (University of Bergen).
10:30-11:00 - Coffee break
11:00-12:30 Science presentations by One Ocean Field Course Students (10min each):
Morgan Casal Ribeiro (University of the Azores, Institute of Marine Sciences - OKEANOS): A Wheel of Fishers' Knowledge
Cyann Pâque (European Molecular Biology Laboratory): TREC expedition and research
Carolin Poullain-Zwinz (Universidade do Algarve): Investigation of the suitability of machine learning for improving wave height forecasts in the Iberian Peninsula
Emil Julian Stautland Perron (University of Bergen): An ecohumanism for the Anthropocene: a 21st century investigation of the notion of Nature in Michel de Montaigne's Essais
Jogscha Abderhalden (Western Norway University of Applied Sciences): Airborne and ground based geophysical investigations to study climate change impacts in climate sensitive environments
Sara Peters (University of Texas): Leveraging geologic records and satellite observations to reduce uncertainty in Antarctic sea level projections
Kjersti Sollund (University of Bergen/the City of Bergen): ECOBUDGETS: Actionable budgets for sustainable climate and nature governance
12:30 Lunch packed lunch to enjoy in the park by the venue before departing for the field trip
14:00-17:00 Field excursion to Ponta da Ferraria (map) thermal pool by buss and short hike (bring swim wear!):
20:00 Workshop dinner at restaurant the Stage in the port of Ponta Delgada (very close to where the ship is docked)
Monday 7th of July
Venue: Auditorium Norte, University of the Azores, Ponta Delgada Campus
09:00 – 10:30 Session 3: Expanding the Global Ocean Observing System (Challenge 7)
Presentations (3 x 10 min + time for questions):
- André Valente (Air Center): Satellite-based ocean observation: current capability and future directions
- Kirstin Schulz (University of Texas at Austin): In-situ ocean observing techniques
- Filipe Porteiro (Institute OKEANOS, University of the Azores): Azores oceanic biodiversity monitoring programs
Panel discussion (40min) moderated by Patrick Heimbach
10:30 – 11:00 Coffee break
11:00 – 12:30 Session 4: Restore society’s relationship with the ocean (Challenge 10)
Presentations (3 x 10 min + time for questions):
- Endre Tvinnereim (University of Bergen, Norway): People’s perception of climate change
- Ana C. Costa (CIBIO-Azores and Institute OKEANOS, University of the Azores): Marine Sabres. Stakeholder engagement in marine ecosystems’ management
- Rita Patarra (Expolab - Centro Ciência Viva) & Carla Dâmaso (OMA - Observatório do Mar dos Açores): Ocean Literacy in Azorean Science Centers
Panel discussion (40min) moderated by Kerim Hestnes Nisancioglu (University of Bergen)
12:30 Lunch at university campus (building 8 on university campus)
End of workshop
The workshop venue is Auditorium Norte. Marked with a red dot on the map - the auditorium complex on campus (building number 4).
