In 1785, the explorer Jean-François de La Pérouse left Brest for a journey in the unknown, to explore the Pacific Ocean, and with, among others, a scientific purpose. The objectives were numerous: geographic, scientific, ethnological, economic, but also political. Overall, the mission consisted of building up a reasoned catalog of knowledge in all fields.

At that time, the world was larger: no communication, little knowledge of what laid beyond a seemingly infinite horizon. But the thirst to unearth ocean secrets was already there.

Today, the same quest for knowledge will bring you to Brest for the OCEANS 2025 conference and exposition.

Knowledge for a better use and a better preservation of the oceans. The ocean is vital for human kind. Indeed, the ocean surface covers 70.8 % of the Earth, more than 600 million people live in coastal regions that are less than 10 m above sea level and nearly 2.5 billion people live within 100 km of the coast. IEEE wishes to advance technology for humanity, and this must be linked with the scientific understanding of all ocean related fields: physics, chemistry, biology, geophysics, geology, … …

The ocean is the co-driver, with atmosphere, of our present main concern: Climate Change. We all wish coastal zone security, and overall “sustainability”. The challenge is here, and the bar is high: Acidification, Sea level rise, Deoxygenation, Coral bleaching, Storm formation, Pollution and Resource Depletion, Loss of biodiversity, Health Impacts, Microplastics, Contaminated Food Sources, … you name it.

The ocean community is ready to take up the challenge with the United Nations Decade of Ocean Science for Sustainable Development, the “UN Ocean Decade”, and we, the engineering community are providing the means for many needed aspects of this challenge: sensors, observation, exploration, data science, artificial intelligence, digital models, etc. IEEE is standing up for promoting clean-tech solutions for climate sustainability and OES is its herald concerning the oceans. MTS advances the development of the tools and procedures required to explore, study and further the responsible and sustainable use of the oceans.

All of this will be addressed during this OCEANS conference, set up in the place, Brest in Finistère (Penn-Ar-Bed in Breton), or Land’s end, but the beginning of the world as well: steep cliffs, long sandy beaches, sharp reefs and the blue of Armor (“land of the Sea”), the hills and green of Argoat (“land of the Woods”). Brest’s geographical location, combined with the know-how of local companies, research institutes, universities, engineering schools and a strong oceanographic tradition have all made Brest a focal point of excellence regarding the ocean.

Since La Pérouse, the world has shrunk, but still our knowledge of the oceans remains scarce. La Pérouse expedition vanished in the vastness of the ocean, but we will overcome the challenges. This conference will bring in the state-of-the art in science and show the marvels of technology within the exhibit, and will demonstrate that the theme of the conference, “Oceans: Infinity is the Limit”, is indeed a reality.

The Local Organising Committee, on my behalf, welcomes you all to Brest.