Today, stakeholders are gathering in Athens for ICRI 2014, the 2nd International Conference on Research Infrastructures (2-4 April 2014, Athens). Co-organised by the European Commission and the Greek Presidency of the European Union, the event is expected to attract 600 participants to discuss the essential role of global research infrastructures. On 3 April, Kostas Nittis (EuroGOOS) and Peter Haugan (University of Bergen, Norway), EMB Chair and vice-Chair respectively, will speak in a session focusing on Marine Research Infrastructures. EMB will also disseminate a strategic paper on the 'European Ocean Observation System' PDF (Chapter 11, extract from Navigating the Future IV, EMB, 2013). Other key thematic areas include cultural heritage, food security and e-science.