Preparatory workshops in Oranmore in advance of marine agreement
The signing of a transatlantic Galway declaration takes place at the Marine institute in Oranmore in the next hour and advance preparatory workshops are underway
The deal involving the EU and North America will commit to funding and expertise for research to explore ways in which ocean life can contribute to science.
After this, a meeting of political leaders takes place to discuss the research and innovation requirements needed between now and 2020 to implement the atlantic area action plan to drive the 'blue economy'.
The Taoiseach, the EU commissioner Máire Geoghegan Quinn, and political representatives from countries such as Canada, France and Portugal will attend.
It's part of a 2 day conference taking place at the Marine Institute called 'The Atlantic- a shared resource'
US assistant secretary of state for ocean and international affairs Doctor Kerri Ann Jones told Galway Bay fm news the conference will have two tiers, one scientific and one high level.
EU Spokesperson Mike Jennings says today's deal in Galway will be historic.