Atlantic Summit 2026

The Marine Institute, the University of Galway and Atlantic Technological University, with the support of the Department of Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science, are pleased to invite you to the Atlantic Summit Galway 2026. 

As one of the flagship ocean events and an Associated Event of the Irish Presidency of the Council of the European Union 2026, Atlantic Summit Galway 2026 will bring together Europe’s leading ocean strategists, researchers, policymakers, innovators and communities to shape the future of the Atlantic and Europe’s ocean research agenda.

• The Atlantic Summit will focus on a number of strategic objectives, including:
• Defining priorities and raising the ambition for the next chapter of Atlantic Ocean research and innovation;
• Advancing knowledge-based implementation of the EU Ocean Pact and Ocean Act;
• Accelerating innovation to strengthen Europe's competitiveness and global leadership in ocean science and technology;

• Addressing future capacity, training and skills requirements to support sustainable blue economy development.

  Through a programme of plenary sessions, high-level policy dialogues and strategic exchanges, participants will have the opportunity to contribute directly to discussions that will influence the future of Europe's ocean agenda at a pivotal moment for the Atlantic region. The event represents a unique opportunity for ocean leaders to strengthen Atlantic cooperation and ensure that ocean policy remains at the forefront of Europe's competitiveness, sustainability, and resilience agenda.