4th ASC Meeting Outcomes
The 4th Atlantic Steering Committee (ASC) meeting took place online on 21 November 2025. The meeting, built around a comprehensive agenda, addressed strategic priorities, project updates, and future cooperation across the Atlantic region.
Introduction
The meeting opened with a welcome from the Irish Presidency and DG MARE, followed by the approval of the agenda and the previous meeting minutes. This was followed by the announcement of the Marine Spatial Planning (MSP) CoP’ group nominees, with its first meeting scheduled for December.
Atlantic Developments
The Atlantic Pillar Coordinators presented updates on the roadmaps, highlighting the main goals for 2026 and initiatives under each pillar of the Atlantic Action Plan. The Irish Presidency and the Atlantic Assistance Mechanism (AAM) shared the main achievements of the Atlantic Stakeholder Platform Conference (ASPC) 2025, published in a report and the committee provided feedback on this year’s conference held in Galway one week prior to the meeting.
The agenda also included timelines for the Implementation Report, which will serve as a basis for further discussion and alignment among Member States and is planned for publication at the beginning of 2026.
Project Presentations
The GRAAL project was presented, showcasing its latest developments and outcomes, demonstrating the value of cross-border collaboration in research and innovation. The Sea Basins Assistance Mechanism shared updates on policy feedback and synergies across sea basins, fostering greater integration and knowledge sharing between regions. CPMR made an interesting presentation where they highlighted recent outcomes in transatlantic cooperation, emphasizing the importance of international partnerships for sustainable development.
Finally, CINEA provided an update on current and upcoming calls and funding opportunities, supporting stakeholders in accessing resources for their projects.
Handover: Irish Presidency & ASC Presidency 2026
The Irish Presidency summarized the main accomplishments of 2025, including the creation of the Atlantic MSP Community of Practice and the initial revision of the Atlantic Action Plan 2.0. The Irish Presidency also thanked the committee for its collaboration and formally handed over responsibilities to ensure a smooth transition.
The Spanish Presidency outlined its goals for 2026, emphasizing continuity of work, the revision of the Atlantic Action Plan 2.0, strengthening the MSP community, leveraging synergies between the Atlantic and West Mediterranean strategies, and aligning with the Ocean Pact and Ocean Act to increase visibility and impact.
Conclusion
The 4th ASC meeting demonstrated strong collaboration among Atlantic Committee, with clear progress on strategic priorities.