In a highly symbolic ceremony at the Maximou Mansion, the Minister of Digital Governance, Dimitris Papastergiou signed today the contract for the establishment of the intergovernmental organization “Mercator”. The signing ceremony took place in the presence of Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis and the President of the French Republic Emmanuel Macron, as well as the Director General of Mercator Ocean International Pierre Bahurel, who welcomed Greece to the Organization.
“Mercator” is the evolution of Mercator Ocean International and will operate as an intergovernmental organization dedicated to the development of advanced digital systems for the oceans. It aims to provide data, analysis and forecasts on the marine environment, climate and shipping, enhancing sustainable management of marine resources.
The central pillar of the organization is the Digital Twin of the Ocean, a dynamic digital representation of the oceans updated in real time. Through this it will be possible to forecast and analyse critical phenomena such as climate change, marine pollution and changes in marine ecosystems.
Greece is among the first founding member states of the Organization, after France and Norway, confirming its strategic role in the field of digital technology and the marine economy.
The formal establishment of Mercator is expected to be completed in 2026, following the ratification of the convention by at least eight European states.
As stated in a ministry statement, by participating in “Mercator”, our country is strengthening its role in a sector of high strategic importance that links digital technology with the marine environment.
The Ministry of Digital Governance, through the General Secretariat of Telecommunications and Postal Services and in collaboration with the national space and technology ecosystem, has critical infrastructure and capabilities, such as supercomputing systems and artificial intelligence applications, that can support the processing of large volumes of oceanographic and satellite data and the operation of advanced predictive models.
“Greece intends to play a substantial role in Mercator and in the development of the Digital Ocean Gem, both through the PHAROS Artificial Intelligence Plant and the Daedalus Supercomputer, and the National Microdrone Programme. These are reinforced by Greece’s leading role in global shipping, its position as a critical hub for submarine cables connecting Europe with the Middle East and Asia, and its central geographical location in the Eastern Mediterranean in proximity to critical maritime, energy and environmental zones. The government’s policy is committed to data governance, scientific excellence and the provision of high quality digital services to citizens, elements that are in line with Mercator’s core mission,” said Minister of Digital Governance Dimitris Papastergiou.
For his part, Mercator Océan International Director General Pierre Bahurel said: “It is a great honour for us to welcome Greece. As a major maritime country with a strong commitment to digital technologies and artificial intelligence, its accession is a major advantage for Mercator. Your country’s signature of the Convention is a key milestone for the entry into force of the new intergovernmental organisation dedicated to digital ocean systems and related information services. As a founding Member State, Greece will play a leading role in shaping the priorities and actions of the future Organization, contributing to the enhancement of ocean knowledge, the development of digital reference services and the shaping of an international ocean governance based on science.”
