As part of Belgium’s ongoing campaign to host the Secretariat of the BBNJ Treaty, our country welcomed foreign diplomats to the Belgian coast to experience first-hand the scientific expertise and international collaboration driving our marine research.
On May 9 and again on May 23, 2025, members of the diplomatic corps were invited to the Flanders Marine Institute (VLIZ) in Ostend for a comprehensive immersion into the heart of Belgium’s marine science ecosystem. The visit was organized by the Sablon Diplomatic Circle in cooperation with VLIZ and showcased our commitment to ocean governance, international data sharing, and capacity development.
Pitch-style presentations highlighted key international marine data and capacity-building initiatives. Experts from the IODE Project Office of IOC-UNESCO, EMODnet, the European Marine Board, and VLIZ itself provided insights into tools and services such as OBIS, the Ocean InfoHub, WoRMS, Marine Regions, and the European Digital Twin of the Ocean. The session underlined Belgium’s contribution to open marine biodiversity data and global science diplomacy.
Participants then traveled to the nearby Marine Station Ostend, where they discovered the Marine Robotics Centre and its cutting-edge technologies, including the Unmanned Surface Vehicles (USVs). The visit also included stops at the Marine Observation Centre and Belgium’s oceanographic research buoys and infrastructure.
Offering this exclusive behind-the-scenes experience against the scenic backdrop of the North Sea, Belgium reaffirmed not only its scientific leadership but also its readiness to serve as a trusted host for the BBNJ Secretariat—connecting marine science with global policy.
