Norway signed space cooperation agreement to protect the ocean

Norway has formally signed a new international declaration aimed at harnessing space technology to safeguard the world's oceans. The signing took place at the United Nations Ocean Conference in Nice, with Christian Hauglie-Hanssen, Director General of the Norwegian Space Agency, representing Norway.

Also present was Norway’s Minister of Fisheries and Ocean Policy, Marianne Sivertsen Næss, who delivered the event’s closing remarks.

The initiative, known as the Space4Ocean Alliance, was launched by the French space agency CNES in 2024. Monday’s ceremony marked a significant milestone in the project, as representatives from 26 space agencies across the globe—including Brazil, Gabon, Italy, Kenya, China, the Maldives, Norway, Senegal, and the United Kingdom—formally endorsed the Declaration of Interest for the alliance.

Norwegian Space Agency Among Alliance Founders

Speaking at the event, Christian Hauglie-Hanssen said:

“The signing of Space4Ocean is a crucial step toward coordinating international efforts to protect and preserve the world’s oceans.”

He confirmed that the Norwegian Space Agency has played a role in shaping the alliance through bilateral dialogue with CNES and is one of the initiative’s co-founders.

Minister Sivertsen Næss’s participation, he added, was a meaningful symbol of Norway’s commitment:

“It was both fitting and important that Minister Marianne Sivertsen Næss concluded the signing ceremony at the UN Ocean Conference in Nice,” Hauglie-Hanssen noted.

“Through our participation in Space4Ocean, we can help support the government’s marine policy ambitions by demonstrating the real-world applications of space-based services.”

Billions Depend on the Ocean

Oceans cover more than 70% of the Earth’s surface and are home to millions of species. Yet they remain the least explored part of the biosphere. Over three billion people worldwide rely on the oceans for food and income. The seas also play a key role in energy production, transport, tourism, and recreation.

Recognising this, Space4Ocean positions space-based research and satellite Earth observation as vital tools in addressing the challenges facing oceans and coastal areas.

Expanding Global Collaboration

The alliance aims to strengthen collaboration between the space sector and marine stakeholders, with the goal of preserving and protecting ocean ecosystems. Using satellite technologies, observation data, and monitoring tools, Space4Ocean seeks to assist nations affected by climate change and advance the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and other global frameworks.

The group will meet regularly to align on priorities across sectors, identify data needs, and define space-enabled services that can support ocean governance. The collaboration is designed to build upon and complement existing international initiatives. UNOOSA will play a key role in linking the space community with the UN and its member states.

Norway’s Blue Justice Programme Plays a Role

Norway’s Blue Justice Ocean Surveillance Programme already shares satellite data on maritime traffic with partner countries to combat illegal fishing and maritime crime.

Evie Merethe Hagen, Head of Development Cooperation at the Norwegian Space Agency, confirmed that work is now underway to ensure the Blue Justice Conference in autumn 2025 becomes a platform for enhanced data-sharing between Space4Ocean data providers and Blue Justice member nations.