Ocean Prediction for Costa Rica (OP4CR) joins the global stage at UNOC3
The Ocean Prediction for Costa Rica project, implemented by Mercator Ocean International and funded by the European Commission (EU) under DG INTPA, was prominently featured at several events during UNOC3, which took place from the 9th to the 13th of June in Nice. This project is a clear example of the importance of international collaboration and highlights the EU’s commitment to supporting global capacity-building initiatives.
Costa Rica has long been known for its ambitious environmental goals and took a leading role at UNOC3 by co-hosting this event along with France. Under this context, the 2-year project Ocean Prediction for Costa Rica (OP4CR) has joined the stage. OP4CR has been funded by DG INTPA and it is under the umbrella of the OceanPrediction Decade Collaborative Center (OceanPrediction DCC) to support Costa Rica desire of enhancing its ocean prediction capabilities and position itself within this internal community. The project officially started in 2025, and it is implemented by Mercator Ocean International, a non-profit organization transforming into an intergovernmental body, dedicated to providing digital Ocean systems and science-driven information services about the state of the Ocean.
OP4CR is being implemented in two phases. The first phase is dedicated to providing a marine monitoring dashboard that supports SINAC (National System of Conservation Areas) and particularly the Cocos Marine Conservation Area (ACMC) in their monitoring activities in the marine protected area of Cocos Island. The second phase of this project aims to provide a detailed action plan for Costa Rica for the development of an Ocean Prediction Service Center in the country.
At UNOC3, OP4CR was presented at La Baleine in the European Digital Ocean Pavilion on June 10th during the event ‘Showcasing European leadership in advancing Ocean science for sustainable development’, which highlights the work carried out by OceanPrediction DCC and its regional teams. During this event, besides a presentation of the OP4CR project, SINAC-ACMC also presented the monitoring activities that take place in Cocos Island as well as the benefits that OP4CR will bring to support them in their daily activities. In addition, the marine monitoring dashboard designed by OP4CR was one of the applications showcased at the Decide Area of this pavilion.
In addition, the project was also highlighted on the permanent exhibition at the Costa Rica Pavilion. It was introduced during a dedicated event held on June 11th, “Ocean forecasting and monitoring: Present status and future relevance for Costa Rica and its region,” where the role of the OceanPrediction DCC in Costa Rica and the wider region was discussed.
In addition, the project was also highlighted on the permanent exhibition at the Costa Rica Pavilion. It was introduced during a dedicated event held on June 11th, “Ocean forecasting and monitoring: Present status and future relevance for Costa Rica and its region,” where the role of the OceanPrediction DCC in Costa Rica and the wider region was discussed.
Later that day, a second event titled “Crafting the future of Ocean Prediction in Costa Rica: the OP4CR project” presented the project in detail, with special focus on the tool designed to support the monitoring of Cocos Island. It also included discussions with local stakeholders—such as FAICO, the University of Costa Rica, and SINAC-ACMC about the benefits and opportunities for collaboration.
The project also received media coverage in Costa Rica, with articles published in outlets such as The Tico Times, Seminario Universidad, among others. Notably, OP4CR was featured on the front page of the national newspaper La Nación (full article available here: Isla del Coco recibe banderazo para estrenar plataforma de predicción oceánica | La Nación).
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