The European Digital Twin of the Ocean (EDITO) ongoing initiative, launched by the European Commission in February 2022, aspires to be a virtual representation of global marine and coastal environments. Using real-time data from sensors and satellites, EDITO integrates advanced technologies like numerical modelling, artificial intelligence, and high-performance computing. It aims to support effective marine and coastal habitat protection, foster a sustainable blue economy, and address climate change. Funded by the European Union, EDITO comprises two projects, EDITO-Infra and EDITO-Model Lab, building the operational infrastructure and developing next-gen ocean models, respectively. This initiative aims to provide accessible ocean information through user-driven tools, contributing to a functional Digital Twin of the Ocean by 2024.