Penang, Malaysia, 14 February 2025 - The Centre for Marine and Coastal Studies (CEMACS), Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM) is honored to host the 26th Annual Meeting of the Partnership for Observation of the Global Ocean (POGO-26). This prestigious gathering, scheduled from 25 to 28 February 2025 at Gurney Bay Hotel, Penang, will bring together eminent oceanographic institutions, scientists, and policymakers from around the world to foster international collaboration on ocean observations.

 

Addressing Critical Oceanic Challenges

 

The global ocean is increasingly threatened by the triple planetary crisis - climate change, biodiversity loss, and pollution - which jeopardizes marine ecosystems, depletes biodiversity, and affects the livelihoods of coastal communities. Scientific research plays a crucial role in predicting, mitigating, and developing adaptive solutions to these pressing issues. POGO-26 will provide a critical forum for exploring how enhanced ocean observation systems can improve our capacity to understand, anticipate, and respond to these challenges, fostering a sustainable and resilient ocean future.

 

About POGO

 

POGO (https://pogo-ocean.org/) is a consortium comprising over 50 leading oceanographic institutions across 29 countries and six continents, It provides a global platform for collaboration, knowledge-sharing, and the alignment of ocean monitoring efforts. POGO has been at the forefront of initiatives such as the Ocean Biomolecular Observing Network (OBON), the Argo profiling float program, and strategic collaborations with intergovernmental organizations, including IOC-UNESCO.

 

Since its establishment in 1999, POGO has been instrumental in advancing global partnerships among leading oceanographic research institutions, driving innovation in ocean monitoring, and promoting ocean literacy. The annual meeting serves as a pivotal platform for strategic discussions and priority-setting aimed at enhancing the global ocean observing system. POGO's mission is to support and coordinate long-term ocean observations that inform policy, enhance scientific understanding, and contribute to global efforts to address climate change and ocean health.

 

Through its capacity-building programs, POGO has trained over 800 early-career scientists from developing nations, strengthening global expertise in ocean science and ensuring the next generation of marine researchers is equipped to tackle emerging challenges.

 

Key Themes and Objectives of POGO-26

 

• ??Biomolecular Observations and Environmental DNA (eDNA): Integrating cutting-edge biomolecular techniques, including eDNA analysis, into ocean observation systems to enhance biodiversity monitoring and ecological assessments.

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• ??Towards More Environmentally Sustainable Ocean Observing:

Identifying strategies to reduce the environmental footprint of ocean observation activities while maintaining data integrity and research excellence.

 

Ocean Observations of Contaminants - Towards Indicators or Essential Ocean Variables (EOVs): Developing robust methodologies

for

monitoring marine contaminants and establishing key indicators to assess ocean health and inform policy decisions.

 

Blue Carbon: Investigating the role of coastal and marine ecosystems in carbon sequestration and their contributions to climate change mitigation strategies.

 

• ??Digital Twins: Advancing the development of digital twin models for ocean systems, enabling high-fidelity simulations to support evidence-based decision-making and resource management.

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• ??Marine Heatwaves: Analyzing the causes, consequences, and mitigation strategies for marine heatwaves, which pose a growing threat to marine ecosystems, fisheries, and coastal communities.

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• Coastal Impacts of El Niño and La Niña: Examining the effects of these large-scale climatic phenomena on coastal regions, including their influence on weather patterns, sea levels, and marine biodiversity, to improve preparedness and resilience.

 

The conference will feature plenary and poster sessions from 25 to 27 February, open to all delegates, followed by the POGO Members' Annual General Meeting on 28 February, exclusively for POGO members. The event will include panel discussions, technical sessions, and networking opportunities designed to facilitate impactful collaborations and drive advancements in ocean science.

 

Host Institution & Regional Significance

As the host institution, CEMACS, USM, has been at the forefront of marine and coastal research in Malaysia and Southeast Asia. Being the oldest marine research centre in the country, CEMACS has played a leading role in marine biodiversity, coastal ecology, aquaculture, and environmental sustainability.

 

The centre plays a pivotal role in enhancing Malaysia's marine research capacity and has made significant contributions to regional and global collaborations in ocean science.

 

CEMACS is the first POGO (Partnership for Observation of the Global Ocean) member in Malaysia and among the earliest in the region, reinforcing its leadership in ocean research and its contributions to advancing marine science.

 

The recent inclusion of Indonesia Agency for Meteorology Climatology and Geophysics (BMKG) as a POGO member further strengthens regional participation in global ocean observation efforts.

 

The upcoming POGO-26 General Assembly marks the first time this prestigious event will be held in Southeast Asia, bringing together leading scientists from 30 countries across six continents to Penang. This reflects the global recognition of CEMACS's contributions and its pivotal role in advancing ocean research in the region.

 

With expertise in seagrass and coral reef conservation, ocean acidification studies, and climate resilience research, CEMACS is ideally positioned to host POGO-26, further solidifying Malaysia's role in global ocean research initiatives.

 

The event provides a unique platform to showcase Malaysia's contributions to ocean science and to highlight regional initiatives aligned with the United Nations Decade of Ocean Science for Sustainable Development (2021 - 2030).

 

The participating countries include:

 

• ??Africa (4): Côte D'Ivoire, Ghana, Liberia, South Africa.

• ??Asia (9): Bangladesh, China, India, Indonesia, Japan, Malaysia, Maldives, Saudi Arabia, South Korea.

• ??Europe (7): Denmark, France, Germany, Ireland, Italy, Portugal, United Kingdom.

• ??North America (3): Canada, Mexico, United States.

• ??Oceania (1): Australia.

• ??South America (2): Colombia, Cabo Verde.

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This global participation highlights the importance of CEMACS and Malaysia as a hub for ocean research and innovation.

 

Event Support & Collaboration

POGO-26 is supported by the Penang State Government, Penang Convention & Exhibition Bureau (PCEB), Penang Tourism & Creative Economy (PETACE), and Malaysia Airlines (MAS). Their collaboration underscores the importance of this event in promoting marine science, sustainable tourism, and international cooperation in ocean observation.

 

The backing of these key institutions highlights Penang's commitment to advancing global marine research, fostering innovation, and contributing to the sustainable management of ocean resources.

 

Strengthening Global Ocean Observations

The urgency for sustained and coordinated ocean observations has never been greater. The data collected through global ocean monitoring efforts is essential in addressing climate change, preserving biodiversity, and ensuring sustainable ocean governance. 

 

POGO-26 aims to set ambitious targets for strengthening ocean monitoring systems worldwide, facilitating collaboration among scientists, policymakers, and industry leaders.

 

With participation from directors of top oceanographic institutions, leading marine scientists, policymakers, and industry representatives, POGO-26 will play a crucial role in shaping the future of ocean research, policy frameworks, and funding priorities in the years to come.