The AtlantOS program - All-Atlantic Ocean Observing System (AtlantOS) Strategy - arose from the EU H2020 project AtlantOS, and is supported by and contributes to different international and European initiatives such as the Global Ocean Observing System (GOOS); the UN 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development; the International Atlantic cooperative agreements of Galway and Belém and, the UN Decade of Ocean Science for Sustainable Development.

The AtlantOS programme is an ambition and a plan for the next decade of ocean observing in the Atlantic Ocean Basin to deliver on the needs of the Atlantic communities: scientists; policy makers; users; funders; private sector; NGOs.

The AtlantOS Programme guiding principles are:
- Engaging Stakeholders;
- Collaborative and Coordinated;
- Flexible and Responsive;
- Integrated and Transparent;
- Open with Free Data Access;
- Reliably Resourced.