Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission (IOC )
The work of the IOC, over the three decades since its inception,
has focused on promoting marine scientific investigations and related ocean
services, with a view to learning more about the nature and resources of the
oceans. This has laid the foundation towards an expanded role of the IOC in
meeting new challenges., focussing on four major themes:
- develop, promote and facilitate international oceanographic research programmes
to improve our understanding of critical global and regional ocean processes
and their relationship to the sustainable development and stewardship of ocean
resources;
- ensure effective planning, establishment and co-ordination of an operational
global ocean observing system to provide the information needed for oceanic
and atmospheric forecasting, for oceans and coastal zone management by coastal
nations, and for global environmental change research;
- provide international leadership for education and training programmes and
technical assistance essential for systematic observations of the global ocean
and its coastal zone and related research; and
- ensure that ocean data and information obtained through research, observation
and monitoring are efficiently handled and made widely available.
The IOC Secretariat is based in Paris, France in the headquarters of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO).
Contact details:
J. Luis Valdés
Head of Ocean Science Section
Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission (IOC) of UNESCO
1 rue Miollis
75732 Paris Cedex 15, FRANCE
Tel: +33 1 4568-4011; Fax: +33 1 4568-5812
E-mail: [email protected]
Website: The Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission (IOC) of UNESCO