Rhodes, Greece, 16 October 2025 — The General Assembly of JPI Oceans has unanimously elected Professor Peter Haugan as the new Chair of its Management Board. The election, held during the organisation’s meeting in Rhodes, comes at a defining moment as JPI Oceans prepares to launch its next Strategic Framework 2026–2030, a new chapter in its mission to strengthen transnational cooperation in marine and maritime research and innovation.
Professor Haugan brings decades of experience in ocean science and governance at the highest international level. Currently Policy Director at the Norwegian Institute of Marine Research (IMR), he previously served as Chair of the Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission (IOC) of UNESCO and as Lead Expert for the High Level Panel for a Sustainable Ocean Economy, which convenes 18 heads of state and government. He is also Professor of Oceanography at the University of Bergen in Norway.
With his appointment, JPI Oceans reaffirms its position as a leading coordination platform at the science-policy interface. It further signals JPI Oceans' commitment to remaining knowledge-based while expanding its scope from a primarily European network to a broader international dimension.
On his election, Professor Haugan said: "It is more important than ever to join forces to identify and elaborate new opportunities for ocean action towards effective protection, sustainable production, and equitable prosperity. JPI Oceans has proven to be an agile mechanism, delivering strategic and timely results. I am honoured to have been elected and look forward to working with this coalition of member countries and their representatives. With support from a highly skilled Secretariat and building upon the strategic positioning led by the outgoing chair Niall McDonough, JPI Oceans can be a crucial driver for transformation towards the sustainable and equitable ocean economy that we all need."
Professor Haugan succeeds Dr Niall McDonough, who has chaired the Management Board for the past five years. Dr McDonough, Director of Policy, Innovation and Research Support Services at the Marine Institute (Ireland), will continue to serve as a representative of Ireland in the General Assembly.
The election takes place as JPI Oceans moves towards a renewed strategic period. Its forthcoming Strategy Framework 2026–2030 will be officially launched at the European Parliament on 4 December 2025, setting the course for the next phase of joint coordinated action for ocean knowledge, policy, and innovation.
About JPI Oceans:
JPI Oceans is an intergovernmental platform that strives to increase the impact of national investments in marine and maritime research and innovation. By joining forces, JPI Oceans focuses on long-term collaboration between its pan-European member countries and associated and international partners. The platform provides its member countries with a shared voice, strategic agenda and action plan to address complex ocean-related societal challenges that cannot be solved at national level. JPI Oceans adds to the value of national research and innovation investments by aligning national priorities and implementing joint actions.
Media Contact: Isabel Caballero (Communication Officer), isabel.caballero@jpi-oceans.eu