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Arctic Ocean Regional Alliance Task Team (ArORA)

There is an ongoing process to develop an Arctic-wide Ocean observing alliance, following the model of a GOOS Regional Alliance (GRA). A Task Team is working to propose an implementation strategy for such an Arctic Ocean Regional Alliance (ArORA).

This Task Team, and the process it co-develops, has been formally recognized by both Sustaining Arctic Observing Networks (SAON) and Global Ocean Observing System (GOOS). Arctic ROOS participates with members in both the preparatory Task Team and Steering Group, and currently EuroGOOS provides the process with secretarial support.

Background

The development of a structure for improved international coordination and collaboration of Arctic oceanography, such as an Arctic GOOS (Global Ocean Observing System) Regional Alliance (GRA), has been recommended in various fora in recent years, including during the development of the Arctic Action Plan for the UN Ocean Decade and at various editions of the Arctic Observing Summit (most recently in 2022).

To initiate the developing of a roadmap towards the realization of an international, Arctic-wide structure for ocean observing, a roundtable discussion meeting was held during the 2023 Arctic Science Summit Week (ASSW) in Vienna. The meeting was attended by a wide range of partners engaged in ocean and broader Arctic observing initiatives. Participants in the meeting agreed that a Task Team should be formed to design and lead a process resulting in an Arctic Regional Alliance being realised. An important task for the team is to expand and engage a diverse range of stakeholders and rights holders, including representatives of Arctic Indigenous and Local communities and organisations.

More information and updates will be published here soon—please stay tuned.

Discover more information about ArORA in the Arctic GRA leaflet.

References