OPENING SESSION

OPERA Annual Workshop 2026

Summary

WorkshopSummary

The second annual OPERA Workshop took place from 12 to 14 October 2026 in Cotonou, Benin, organised by Mercator Ocean International in collaboration with local hosts: the University of Abomey-Calavi – UNESCO International Chair of Mathematical Physics and Applications, the Benin Institute for Halieutic and Oceanographic Research (IRHOB), and the Benin Environment and Education Society (BEES ONG).


The meeting brought together OPERA partners from Africa and Europe, as well as relevant regional bodies and organisations, to announce new African partners, technical assistance partners, and planned developments within the project. The workshop also presented future opportunities for collaboration open to both African and European communities, established links with other relevant programmes, and facilitated discussions to gather feedback on key project activities.

.

Quick access to presentations


Opening Session

Session #1 - Setting the context for the OPERA Project

Session #2 - GOOS Africa

The South African Coastal Management Networks through the South African Earth Observation Networks (SAEON)

The South African Coastal Management Networks through the South African Earth Observation Networks (SAEON)

PDF presentation

Session #3 - Ocean Forecasting Systems

Presentation of OPERA ocean forecasting system developments - OPERA OOFS Consortium

Presentation of OPERA ocean forecasting system developments - OPERA OOFS Consortium

PDF presentation

Session #4 - Ocean Data & Applications

COMPASS: Coastal Ocean Modelling and Prediction for African Sea's Sustainability and resilience

COMPASS: Coastal Ocean Modelling and Prediction for African Sea's Sustainability and resilience

PDF presentation
FORECAST-WA - FOREcast-based Coastal ApplicationS and Tools for West Africa

FORECAST-WA - FOREcast-based Coastal ApplicationS and Tools for West Africa

Session #5 - Capacity Strenghtening

Early Career Ocean Professionals: Connecting People, Science and Action

Early Career Ocean Professionals: Connecting People, Science and Action 

PDF Presentation

Session #6 - Community Building & Stakeholder Engagement

Session #7 - Synergies with other initiatives for stronger impact

Draft Programme

12-14 October 2026
All times shown are UTC+1

Filter by day or by session:
Oct 12Oct 13Oct 14
Clear all filters
OPENING SESSION
LUNCH
SESSION #1 - SETTING THE CONTEXT FOR THE OPERA PROJECT
TEA BREAK
SESSION #2 - GOOS AFRICA
SOCIAL DINER
SESSION #3 - OCEAN FORECASTING SYSTEMS
TEA BREAK
SESSION #4 - OCEAN DATA & APPLICATIONS
LUNCH
SESSION #5 - CAPACITY STRENGHTENING
SESSION #6 - COMMUNITY BUILDING & STAKEHOLDER ENGAGEMENT
TEA BREAK
SESSION #7 - SYNERGIES WITH OTHER INITIATIVES FOR STRONGER IMPACT
CLOSING SESSION
LUNCH
SITE VISIT