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IOC-XXIV/2 Annex 5
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Paris, 31 May 2007
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INTERGOVERNMENTAL OCEANOGRAPHIC COMMISSION
(of UNESCO)
Twenty-fourth Session of the Assembly
UNESCO, Paris, 19–28 June 2007
Item 4.1.2 of the Provisional Agenda
IOC DRAFT MEDIUM-TERM STRATEGY, 2008–2013
Summary. This proposed Medium-term Strategy is drafted in pursuance of
Resolution EC-XXXIX.1. It is associated with and contributes to the
UNESCO Draft Medium-term Strategy (34 C/4) and contains a degree of
specificity necessary to guide IOC as the specialized mechanism of the
United Nations system to coordinate ocean scientific research and ocean
services. This document is based on the work of the Working Group on the
IOC Medium-term Strategy (2008–2013) and comments received from IOC
Subsidiary Bodies.
The Assembly is invited to consider, with a view to adopting, the IOC
Medium-term Strategy for 2008–2013 by way of Draft Resolution XXIV(4.1.2) proposed hereafter. The paragraphs of the proposed Medium-term
Strategy are numbered for easy reference during its examination.
(SC-2007/CONF.205/CLD.17)
IOC-XXIV/2 Annex 5
Draft Resolution XXIV-(4.1.2)
IOC MEDIUM-TERM STRATEGY (2008–2013)
The Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission,
Noting the Draft Medium-term Strategy of UNESCO for 2008–2013 (34 C/4), endorsed by the
176th Executive Board of UNESCO defining the general strategic framework for the organization,
especially Overarching Objective 2: Mobilizing Science, knowledge and policy for sustainable
development,
Recalling IOC Resolution XXIII-16 and the work of the inter-sessional Working Group on the IOC
Medium-term Strategy (2008–2013),
Recalling IOC Resolution EC-XXXIX.1, the work of the intra-sessional Working Group on the IOC
Medium-term Strategy and the text annexed to that resolution as the basis for the development of
the IOC Medium-term Strategy (2008–2013),
Noting further that the Strategic Programme Objectives of the Draft Medium-term Strategy of
UNESCO for 2008–2013 (34 C/4) take into consideration and fully allow the development of the
IOC High-Level Objectives and associated activities, as defined in IOC Resolution EC-XXXIX.1, in
particular through the following three Strategic Programme Objectives:
3: Leveraging scientific knowledge for the benefit of the environment and the
management of natural resources,
4: Fostering policies and capacity-building in science technology and innovation with special
emphasis on the basic sciences and energy, and
5: Contributing to disaster preparedness and mitigation;
Adopts under Article 6B.4 of the Statutes of the Commission, the IOC Medium-term Strategy for the
period 2008–2013, as in the annex to this resolution;
Urges Member States to take the IOC Medium-term Strategy into account in developing their
national plans and programmes for ocean sciences and ocean observations, as well as in planning
their contribution and participation in the programmes of the Commission;
Requests the Executive Council, Sub-Commissions, Regional and Technical Committees and all
subsidiary bodies of the IOC to adhere to the direction and priorities set forth in the IOC Mediumterm Strategy for the period 2008–2013 and to organize their activities so as to coherently pursue
the IOC High-Level Objectives, contained therein;
Instructs the IOC Executive Secretary, under the appropriate articles of the IOC Statutes, Rules of
Procedure and Financial Regulations, to use it as the strategic framework in the formulation of the
next three consecutive biennial Programme and Budget of the Commission and its corresponding
workplans;
Also instructs the IOC Executive Secretary to transmit the annexed IOC Medium-term Strategy
for the period 2008–2013 to the Director-General of UNESCO and to widely disseminate it to all
Official National Coordinating Body for Liaison with the IOC in States members of IOC and other
international organizations cooperating with the Commission.
IOC-XXIV/2 Annex 5 – page 2
Annex to Resolution XXIV.(4.1.2)
IOC MEDIUM-TERM STRATEGY (2008–2013)
Preamble
1.
For the fist time in the history of humanity, human activities are putting such strain on the
natural functions of the Earth that the ability of the planet ecosystems to sustain future generations
can no longer be taken for granted.
2.
The provision of food, fresh water, energy and materials to a growing human population has
come to a considerable cost to the integrity and stability of the complex bio-geo-chemical systems
that makes life possible on the planet. The erosion of the layer of stratospheric ozone that shields
the earth from ultraviolet radiation and the accumulation of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere
are only two clear examples of this.
3.
The world community faces growing challenges arising from climate variability and change,
marine environmental degradation and pollution, biodiversity losses, and natural hazards.
4.
Beyond the understanding and prediction of climate change, given the current trends in
observed weather and climate variability and the increase in the frequency of extreme events,
science is being urgently called to provide guidelines to adapt societies to climate change and to
mitigate its negative effects.
5.
The inter-phase between the ocean and the continents, the coastal zone, is exposed to the
combined impact of several increasing pressures. To protect the valuable and unique coastal
resources the urgent establishment of new integrated management schemes is needed. These
changes require significant legal and institutional changes at the national level. The settlement of
human populations, intense fishing and over-fishing, insufficiently regulated marine aquaculture,
new industries for the first time massively based offshore, the direct impact of land-based sources
of pollution, especially increased phosphorous and nitrogenous compounds, the by-products of
increasing food production on land, are just some of these pressures.
6.
New emerging phenomena, such as the seasonally recurring dead-zones in the coastal
oceans, where fish resources disappear or become unavailable, raise concerns on the scale and
magnitude of the potential impact of climate change and highlights the limited knowledge-base on
which these phenomena are attributed to climate change. To confirm the scale and origin of these
changes, urgent focused research is needed.
7.
How we respond to these global issues, while facing the increasingly complex challenges of
promoting sustainable development and implementing ecosystems-based management will
dominate the work of the IOC in the coming years.
IOC-XXIV/2 Annex 5 – page 3
IOC MISSION
8.
The IOC Mission is established in Article 2.1 of the IOC Statutes:
Article 2 – Purpose
1. The purpose of the Commission is to promote international cooperation and to
coordinate programmes in research, services and capacity-building, in order to
learn more about the nature and resources of the ocean and coastal areas and to
apply that knowledge for the improvement of management, sustainable
development, the protection of the marine environment, and the decision-making
processes of its Member States.
9.
IOC can contribute to society by ensuring that policymakers and the public at large are better
informed of the impact of ocean on humankind and the effects of human activities on the Ocean.
10. The Ocean touches all domains of human activity. Ninety percent of international trade is
moved through the oceans. Offshore mineral resources provided 30% of the world’s energy supply,
fisheries provide direct and indirect livelihoods for 400 million people.
11. Coastal areas are crucial to support life and the quality of life in our planet. They comprise
20% of the Earth’s surface yet they harbour 50% of the entire human population. The UN has
estimated that by the year 2025, 75% of the world populations will live close to the coasts.
12. The United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea defined the seabed of the ocean and
its resources as the common heritage of humankind. The role that the ocean plays in maintaining
the stability of climate, the cycle of water and the stability of the life-support system of the earth
makes it in fact a true Global Commons.
13. If the Millennium Development Goals are to be fulfilled, alleviating poverty and bringing a
more sustainable use of our environment, we urgently need to improve our stewardship of the
Ocean. IOC has an inescapable responsibility in this regard.
14. The successful track record of IOC in contributing to bring forward to societies the issue of
climate change, and to lead in the research efforts to reduce the envelope of scientific
uncertainties, depended on the resources and strong capabilities of research of its developed
Member States. However there are clear advantages to address these challenges through
international cooperation, in an inclusive manner, in which every Member State of IOC and of the
United Nations, regardless of its initial capabilities can participate in the open and free exchange of
data and information, and benefit from the services being developed with those data and
information under IOC programmes.
15. Although for many coastal States their sovereign rights over the resources in the Continental
shelf and Economic Exclusive Zone represent a huge opportunity for their economic development,
many of them are limited in their ability to develop them, and are vulnerable to the lack of
autochthonous and autonomous capabilities to address the challenges that emerge from new
Ocean uses.
16. IOC outreach and public awareness activities will be underscored by the IOC 50th
Anniversary in 2010.
THE IOC WITHIN UNESCO
17. The IOC, as a body with functional autonomy within UNESCO, adopts this strategy as its
institutional commitment and contribution to the fulfillment of UNESCO’s Medium-term Strategy
IOC-XXIV/2 Annex 5 – page 4
(34 C/4) under Overarching Objective 2: Mobilizing Science, knowledge and policy for sustainable
development.
18. IOC benefits from the planning and management support mechanisms of UNESCO, and in
addition to the alignment of the High-Level Objectives of IOC with those of UNESCO, the actions
constituting the Programme of the Commission are fully integrated into the Programme and Budget
of UNESCO, as Main Lines of Action under Overarching Objective 2: Mobilizing Science,
knowledge and policy for sustainable development. Result-based programming is supported by
instruments monitoring implementation of the programme that is formulated hierarchically as
Strategic Programme Objectives, Main Line of Actions, Actions and Activities.
19. The draft Programme and Budget for 2008–2009 presented by the Director-General of
UNESCO to the 176th Session of the Executive Board (April 2007), includes the IOC Programme in
two Main Lines of Action: MLA 3, “Oceans and Coastal Zones: Improving Governance and
Fostering Intergovernmental Cooperation through Ocean Sciences and Services”, and MLA 7,
“Prevention and Mitigation of Tsunamis and Other Marine Hazards”.
20.
As provided in its Statutes, the income of IOC consists of:
(i)
funds appropriated for this purpose by the General Conference of UNESCO;
(ii) voluntary contributions from States, international agencies and organizations, as well as
other entities allocated to it for purposes consistent with the policies, programmes and
activities of UNESCO and IOC;
(iii) such subventions, endowments, gifts and bequests as are allocated to it for purposes
consistent with the policies, programmes and activities of UNESCO and IOC;
(iv) fees collected in respect of the execution of projects entrusted to IOC, from the sale of
publications, or from other particular activities; and
(v) miscellaneous income.
21. As the record shows, the IOC has been able to increasingly support part of its activities with
extra-budgetary resources. It is the declared intention of the Member States of the Commission to
explore and eventually agree in the coming six years on the design new mechanisms, under Article
10 of the Statutes, to improve the sustained level of support provided to Programme
implementation over and beyond the funds appropriated by the General Conference of UNESCO.
Resources in the budget of IOC can only sustain the planning and coordination of activities, the
promotion of the different elements of the programme and serve as seed money for the leveraging
of resources from the international financial institutions, bilateral and multilateral donor agencies
engaged in cooperation for development.
STRATEGIC THRUSTS
22. Ocean sciences. IOC advocates, promotes and coordinates international research in Ocean
Sciences. Maintains and nurtures a strong link with the scientific community and supports its work
at the intergovernmental level. The phasing-out of some major international programmes such as
the Census of Marine Life in 2010 and the new stages of others like GLOBEC initiated by IOC and
SCOR in 1991, offer new opportunities to facilitate the follow-up of successful initiatives where IOC
has traditionally been active, like OBIS and SPACC and to facilitate the planning process for new
ones. The application of molecular biological and genomic techniques like DNA sequencing is
revolutionizing the study of marine biodiversity and enabling the unequivocal molecular
identification of marine biomass. Pilot projects are applying these techniques and opening new
avenues for research. IOC has been requested by DIVERSITAS, one of the core projects of IGBP,
to contribute in the planning of the marine Biodiversity component of DIVERSITAS and the
secretariat is actively pursuing this. Physical oceanographic research other than that related to
IOC-XXIV/2 Annex 5 – page 5
climate and the support of global numerical modelling also requires attention as well as the
continuation of the decadal monitoring of the geochemistry of the different deep ocean basins
organized in the past by IOC. Particular attention is needed to coastal dynamics and coastal
transport processes in general. The development of coastal applications from C-GOOS will be
hampered if relevant research issues pertaining to this complex environment are not properly and
timely addressed. Building on global networks of scientists, IOC actively contributes to make all
science efforts as inclusive as possible and strive to build a truly global scientific community in
Ocean Sciences, by contributing to build scientific capabilities at the individual, institutional and
national level in the developing world, especially in Africa, in line with UNESCO’s priorities.
23. Ocean observations. IOC is the leading international organization in facilitating worldwide
cooperation in ocean observing networks, in promoting the establishment and maintenance of
communication systems for the rapid exchange and distribution of ocean data and information. IOC
has been a leader in measurements of sea level through the GLOSS programme and in monitoring
warning and mitigation for Tsunamis through its Tsunami programme. Since 1991 IOC integrates a
wide range of global and coastal measurements into the Global Ocean Observing System
(GOOS).
GOOS is required for monitoring and predicting environmental change to meet global,
regional and national interest. This system, (…) provides for regular observations of
major physical, chemical and biological properties of the World Ocean, including the
coastal zone and enclosed and semi-enclosed seas. It will address such issues as
global climate predictions and sea-level rise, as well as the coastal marine environment
problems of Member States. (IOC 19911)
24. GOOS is today a global system for sustained observations of the ocean comprising the
oceanographic component of the Global Earth Observing System of Systems (GEOSS). GOOS is
designed to: Monitor, understand and predict weather and climate, describe and forecast the state
of the ocean, including living resources, improve management of marine and coastal ecosystems
and resources, mitigate damage from natural hazards and pollution, protect life and property on
coasts and at sea, and to enable scientific research. GOOS is a platform for international
cooperation for sustained observations of the oceans, for generation of oceanographic products
and services, and interaction between research, operational, and user communities. Because of
its broad scope, GOOS serves oceanographic researchers, coastal managers, parties to
international conventions, national meteorological and oceanographic agencies, hydrographic
offices, marine and coastal industries, policy makers and the interested general public. GOOS is
sponsored by IOC, UNEP, WMO and ICSU, and is implemented by member states via their
government agencies, navies and oceanographic research institutions working together in a wide
range of thematic panels and regional alliances. The IOC/WMO JCOMM is a key element in
implementation and services (see section 24).
25. Ocean services. Ocean Services, i.e. the continuous, routinely delivery of informationproducts containing forecasted conditions for a given set of ocean properties, are produced and
distributed free as public services for the use of a wide range of users. As industrial operations on
the continental shelf increases, Ocean weather2 forecast is becoming more important, creating an
increasing demand for ocean services. Examples of current public service operations supported by
IOC and WMO through the Joint Technical Commission for Oceanography and Marine
Meteorology (JCOMM), are:
1
2
IOC Resolution XVI-16, Sixteen Session of the Assembly, Paris, 7–21 March 1991, Intergovernmental
Oceanographic Commission, Reports of Governing and major Subsidiary Bodies. SC/MD/97 Annex II, Paris:
UNESCO 1991
The term Ocean Weather is mostly applied to the mesoscale variability associated with scales of 100 km and 100
days. It is estimated that mesoscale currents are responsible for more than 95% of the ocean’s kinetic energy.
Wave forecasting is also an integral part of ocean weather. Local ocean weather is often fully decoupled from
local atmospheric weather, i.e. winds direction and intensity can be in opposite direction and of completely
different intensity than surface ocean currents. This is a critical piece of knowledge for ship routing.
IOC-XXIV/2 Annex 5 – page 6
•
The Global Maritime Distress and Safety System (GMDSS). Under the SOLAS
Convention, the GMDSS enables the dissemination of warnings of gales, storms, severe
tropical weather systems such as typhoons, hurricanes and tropical cyclones and other
hazardous phenomena, as well as day to day weather and sea bulletins. 17 METAREAS
cover the world ocean broadcasting warnings on 24/24 hours, 7/7 days basis. The work of
the IOC is critical to improve Ocean Weather forecasts.
•
The Marine Pollution Emergency Response Support System. (MPERSS) is a
coordinated, global system for the provision of meteorological and oceanographic
information for marine pollution emergency response operations outside waters under
national jurisdiction.
•
The JCOMM Electronic Product Bulletin [J-EPB] developed in response to the needs of
the oceanographic and earth science communities for real-time oceanographic data.
•
Wave weather and Storm Surges forecasts: Codes for the real-time exchange and
reporting of marine surface data including directional wave spectra have been developed.
JCOMM is developing the Guide to Storm Surge Forecasting and contemplating the
production and delivery of warning and risk hazard maps.
•
Sea Ice Services: national sea-ice information services have been established in many
countries for the provision of both climatological and real-time ice analyses and forecasts.
International coordination and cooperation in this activity is done principally through the
Expert Team on Sea Ice of JCOMM.
26. Ocean Data management and exchange. The IOC function of data collection, through its
networks of ocean observations is fundamental and underpins all the current research efforts on
climate and the development of ocean services. Consistent with its international public service
mission, all data collected by Member States as part of IOC Programmes and activities are subject
to free and open exchange under the current IOC Data Policy. New automated systems deployed
over the whole world Ocean are providing a data stream never attained before in history.
Organizing the necessary technological networks, collaborating with WMO and using its GTS
system, IOC has significantly closed the gap between the traditional delayed mode exchange of
data (weeks to months) and real-time exchange of data. Current IOC programmes provide the
necessary data, information and knowledge to contribute to services needed to effectively address
ocean issues. For example, to answer the increasing demand for improving climate and hazard
forecasts at the local level; requires accurate and precise data from larger scales.
IMPLEMENTING STRATEGY
27. Member States. The Programmes of IOC are implemented through the concerted action of
its Member States. For example, the Global Sea Level Observing System (GLOSS), is coordinated
and its bases, requirements and standards are established by Technical Groups coordinated by
the Secretariat, however all the costs associated to the actual deployment and maintenance of
instruments and other assets designed to measure sea level, and the national staff that service this
global network, are bear by Member States through the designated national institutions. Unless
explicitly stated otherwise, whenever reference is made to the IOC in this document, reference to
all the Member States and the Secretariat is implied.
28. Institutional Capacity-Building. Lacking of a single line-ministry or department as
counterpart at the national level, action by Member States strongly depends on the strength,
maturity and coordination of the national institutions that participate in the implementation of IOC
Programmes and the amount of resources they commit to that purpose. Usually several
departments participate, Science and Technology (R&D), Transport, Fisheries (Agriculture),
Mining, Energy, Defence, Education, Interior and Foreign Affairs. The institutions carrying out
ocean research and observations vary and can be operational, of research and development,
IOC-XXIV/2 Annex 5 – page 7
academic, and either public or private in nature. To strengthen the action of IOC, institutional
capacity-building is an essential strategic component of all activities of the Programme.
29. Implementation of Programme actions at the national level. There is an increasing trend
to assign resources for development at the level of each country. In the area of development, the
UN reform has stressed the delivery of Programme through the One UN at country level
approach. To succeed in the efforts of leveraging additional funds from international cooperation,
join commitments from the Secretariat and Member States are required, in order to align projects
not only with this strategic framework, but also with the priorities at country level.
30. International cooperation. IOC as part of the UN family builds much of its actions in strong
partnership and cooperation with other organizations. Guidance on this aspect is given in the
Article 2.2 of the IOC Statutes.
Article 2 – Purpose
2.
The Commission will collaborate with international organizations concerned with
the work of the Commission, and especially with those organizations of the
United Nations system which are willing and prepared to contribute to the
purpose and functions of the Commission and/or to seek advice and cooperation
in the field of ocean and coastal area scientific research, related services and
capacity-building.
31. Intergovernmental coordination. The overarching strategic goal of IOC is to engage all its
Member States in Regional and Global components of the Programme. It is of paramount
importance that in the next six years, IOC continues and seeks ways to strengthen the
intergovernmental coordination of ocean sciences, services, observations, data management and
related activities
HIGH-LEVEL OBJECTIVES
32. Responding to its Mission in this new context and guided by the strategic thrusts described
above, noting the role of IOC as the competent body and focal point for ocean matters in the UN
system, responding concretely in our mandated areas of activity to the Johannesburg Plan of
Action, the UN Millennium Development Goals, and acting in conformity with international law,
including relevant UN Conventions and Resolutions, the IOC in its 2008–2013 Medium-term
Strategy will address the following High-Level Objectives:
High-level objective 1 – Prevention and reduction of the impacts of natural hazards
33. Recognizing the over four decades of coordinating the Pacific Tsunami Warning System, the
United Nations has mandated the IOC as the lead agency for coordinating the planning and
implementation of tsunami early warning and mitigation systems. Following the rapid progress in
installing the Indian Ocean Tsunami Early Warning and Mitigation System, the IOC has expanded
its action to other regions (North-eastern Atlantic and Mediterranean; Caribbean) and is
contributing to develop a global system for addressing multiple marine hazards, thus supporting
the overall objective of contributing to disaster preparedness, mitigation and recovery.
Action
1a. Promote integrated and sustained
monitoring and warning systems for coastal and
oceanic natural hazards, in close coordination
with other relevant intergovernmental
organizations where appropriate, using
enhanced coastal and ocean networks,
including education and training activities.
Expected results and performance indicators
Regional and national capabilities for tsunamis
and other related coastal hazards warning and
mitigation systems developed in the Indian
Ocean, the Caribbean Basin, North-East Atlantic
and Mediterranean and strengthened in the
Pacific Ocean.
– Updating or supplementing of all regional
IOC-XXIV/2 Annex 5 – page 8
Action
1b. Educate communities at risk with respect to
natural hazards impact prevention,
preparedness and mitigation measures.
Expected results and performance indicators
seismic monitoring networks.
– Updating or supplementing of all regional
sea level monitoring networks.
– Regional Watch Centres established and
operational under intergovernmental
governance of IOC.
– National Warning Centres established
and operational under national laws.
– Standards for instrumental networks and
operating procedures defined and
harmonized for Regional Watch Centres
following a multi-hazard approach.
– Secretarial support to Intergovernmental
Coordination Groups establishing the
governance for the different systems.
Risk assessment and hazard mitigation
integrated into coastal planning and
management at the national level.
– Risk assessments for coastal
inundations integrated in CCA’s,
UNDAF’s, and national development
plans (number of national projects
developed and implemented)
– Technical and capacity-building training
courses undertaken in each region
(Number of activities undertaken)
– Multi-user, culturally adapted educational
materials published and distributed
through Regional Tsunami Information
Centres (number of different products
and quantity published and distributed)
– Development and dissemination of
guidelines for incorporating marine
hazards into coastal planning and
management (number of countries
applying guidelines).
High-level objective 2 – Mitigation of the impacts and adaptation to climate change and variability
34. IOC will continue its role as an intergovernmental advocate, coordinator, and partner in
international scientific research to improve the understanding of the Earth System, by contributing
to improve prediction of climate and its effects on marine ecosystems and resources through
sustained ocean observation and process-studies at regional and global scales and by contributing
to the development of science applications to mitigate the effects of climate change, including sea
level rise.
IOC-XXIV/2 Annex 5 – page 9
Action
Expected results and performance
indicators
2a. Increase the understanding of the ocean’s
role in climate variability and climate change.
Participation of the Ocean Sciences
research community promoted and
catalyzed, and their cutting-edge results
integrated into international Climate
Research.
– Degree of engagement and
contribution of the oceanographic
scientific community in WCRP
projects and other international
programmes.
– Knowledge gaps about Sea-level
change better addressed through
targeted observations and research.
– Periodical Policy Briefs on Sea-level
established and regularly updated.
– Improvement of Forecasts for of El
Niño events and mitigation of its
multiple impacts at regional and
global levels.
– Extension of the forecast window of
atmospheric and ocean-weather and
climate.
2b. Contribute to the better prediction of climate
through ocean observations and process
studies, at regional and global scales.
Provide the Intergovernmental coordination and
promote the international cooperation required
to sustain the Global Ocean Observing System.
– Guidance and agreement for
coordinated implementation of
observations, products and data
management activities agreed at
JCOMM sessions.
– Degree of national commitments
established at I-GOOS sessions.
– Protocols and agreements for ocean
data exchange brokered.
Scientific and expert guidance for global and
coastal observations and services ensured.
– Quality and opportunity of outcomes of
science panel and expert groups
improved through enhanced
accountability and peer-review
processes, including OOPC, PICO,
GSSC, and all JCOMM coordination
groups and expert teams.
– Effectiveness of liaison meetings with
partner organizations improved in the
development of GOOS.
– Number of science conferences,
workshops, observational pilot project
spin-up meetings, coordinated, including
a major OceanObs conference in 2009–
2010.
IOC-XXIV/2 Annex 5 – page 10
Action
2c. Increase the understanding of the impacts of
climate change and variability on marine
ecosystems and their living resources.
Expected results and performance
indicators
Support for regional cooperation in ocean
observations and services provided.
– Improved global access to ocean
observations, including agreements on
standards and technical guidelines
achieved through JCOMM/IODE Ocean
Data Portal and related activities
(contributing also to Action 1a).
– Capacity developed in ocean
observations, data/information
management and product/service
development in all IOC regions through
integrated IODE/ODIN-GOOS/GRAIOC/ICAM-JCOMM networks (Links with
Actions 3c, 4a, 4b).
– Secretariat support to GOOS regional for
a provided.
International cooperation in observations and
research of the ocean’s role in the global carbon
cycle facilitated.
– Support the coordination of national and
regional programmes contributing to a
global network of ocean carbon
observations, including agreements on
standards, methods, and data formats,
improving access to data, and increasing
participation in international synthesis
activities.
Organize the participation of the Ocean
Sciences research community to address the
impacts of Climate change on marine
ecosystems and their living marine resources at
the global and regional level. Integration of their
cutting-edge results into mitigation strategies
and interventions at the national and regional
level.
Cooperation to improve understanding of coral
bleaching and regularly assess the status of
coral reefs of the world facilitated.
– Through sponsorship of the GEF/WB
Coral Reef Targeted Research and
Capacity-Building programme, contribute
to assess knowledge of coral bleaching
and focus future research priorities.
– Through partnerships and the
sponsorship of the Global Coral Reef
Monitoring Network, continue to produce
a regular global assessment of the
status of coral reefs of the World (every
two years), including climate impacts as
well as human impacts.
IOC-XXIV/2 Annex 5 – page 11
Action
Expected results and performance
indicators
International cooperation required to improve
understanding of ocean acidification and its
impacts on marine ecosystems sustained and
enhanced.
– Implement a regular international
symposium (every four years) to assess
cutting-edge research on ocean
acidification, its impacts on marine
ecosystems and focus global research
priorities.
– Maintain an international web-based
communications forum to provide
information to the scientific community
about ocean acidification research
programmes, results, meetings, and
publications.
International cooperation to improve the
scientific understanding of climate impacts on
fisheries and other living marine resources
continued and facilitated.
– Through sponsorship of the Global
Ocean Ecosystem Dynamics (GLOBEC)
project, implement targeted workshops
to improve understanding of climate
change on fisheries and ensure wide
distribution of results and publications to
the IOC Member States.
– Follow-up to the recommendations of the
jointly sponsored Symposium on the
Impacts of Climate Change on the
Oceans, with ICES and PICES provided.
IOC High-level objective 3 – Safeguarding the health of oceans ecosystems
35. IOC will leverage the science and capacity to monitor and safeguard the health of ocean
ecosystems and services, by addressing the conservation and sustainable management of coastal
resources and marine biodiversity. In this regard, IOC will continue harmonizing its capacitydevelopment activities according to long-term capacity-development principles that improve the
ability of Member States to apply sound scientific methods for sustainable management of their
resources.
Action
3a. Actively contribute to the regular process for
global reporting and assessment of the state of
the marine environment.
Expected results and performance
indicators
First phase of the Regular process for global
reporting and assessment of the state of the
marine environment, including socio-economic
aspects completed.
– Start-up phase of the Regular process
completed, results and
recommendations transmitted to the UN
General Assembly before the end of
2009.
IOC-XXIV/2 Annex 5 – page 12
Action
Expected results and performance
indicators
3b. Further develop the research and monitoring Through the sponsorship of GEOHAB, capacity
to predict and mitigate harmful algal events
required for the prevention of marine
environment degradation, and the maintenance improved.
– GEOHAB core research projects
of biodiversity and the sustainable use of marine
launched (completed) and number of
habitats.
national and targeted research projects
launched as contributions.
– Number of trainers and national officers
trained and number and kind of
publications to underpin institutional
capacity building at national level.
3c. Identify and develop the capacity building
necessary for maintenance of healthy oceans
ecosystems focusing on the regional needs.
Integrated cooperative regional frameworks
focusing on regional capacity building and
regional collaboration (GOOS GRA’s, IODE
ODIN’s) developed.
Assess institutional capacities in Eastern Africa
and Latin America to conduct marine scientific
research.
– Number of marine science institutes
whose capacities have been assessed.
Enrol selected number of UNESCO Chairs to
promote educational aspects within pilot
projects in developing regions.
– Number of UNESCO Chairs enrolled.
Engage young scholars into science done at
sea through Training-Through-Research (TTR)
grants.
– Number of young scholars supported
through TTRs.
IOC High-level objective 4 – Management procedures and policies leading to the
sustainability of coastal and ocean environment and resources
36. IOC will assist Member States, at their request, in the management of their marine and
coastal environment, focusing on regional needs and building national capabilities, by translating
research results into management approaches and wise-practices, through spatial and other
planning approaches demonstrated through pilot projects in target regions, and by providing the
necessary training and assistance to implement them.
IOC-XXIV/2 Annex 5 – page 13
Action
4a. Enhance regional cooperation and
involvement of the Member States through
capacity building and transfer of technology.
4b. Facilitate science related to ocean and
coastal resource management.
4c. Enhance development and implementation
of decision support tools that improve integrated
ocean and coastal management.
Expected results and performance
indicators
Member States assisted in implementing Part
XIII and XIV of UNCLOS.
– Advise on the legal framework within
UNCLOS for IOC programmes through
approved outcomes of the Advisory
Body of Experts of the Law of the Sea
(IOC/ABE-LOS) made available.
– Advise to develop national legislations
on Marine Scientific Research and
Transfer of marine Technology through a
Roster of experts provided.
– Access to a website with all related
information regarding Part XIII and XIV
of UNCLOS facilitated.
Assistance to developing countries to make
timely submissions for the extensions of the
continental shelf provided.
– Awareness of decision makers on the
deadline of 13 May 2009 for presenting
submissions to the Commission on the
limits on the Continental Shelf promoted.
Science-based applications and policies to
adapt to climate and coastal change developed.
– Adaptation measures (policy and
technical) implemented in identified pilot
areas.
Approaches to link freshwater management with
coastal management developed.
– Coastal groundwater management
strategies at country level developed.
ICAM indicators framework in selected regions
applied through pilot projects.
– Number of countries developing
indicator-based “state of coastal
resources” reports.
Marine and coastal spatial planning
methodologies developed.
– Number of coastal areas where marine
zoning plans has been drafted.
IOC-XXIV/2 Annex 5
Add. 1
Restricted Distribution
Paris, 11 June 2007
English only
INTERGOVERNMENTAL OCEANOGRAPHIC COMMISSION
(of UNESCO)
Twenty-fourth Session of the Assembly
UNESCO, Paris, 19–28 June 2007
Item 4.1.2 of the Provisional Agenda
DRAFT IOC MEDIUM-TERM STRATEGY 2008-2013
ADDENDUM 1
IOC REQUIRED STAFF ALLOCATION TO FULFIL THE OBJECTIVES
OF THE MEDIUM-TERM STRATEGY 2008–2013
Summary. Resolution EC-XXXVII.11, Programme and Budget 2006–2007,
instructed the Executive Secretary to report on the appropriate allocation of
permanent professional staff to fulfil effectively and efficiently the IOC’s
objectives in the Medium-Term Strategy for 2008–2013. This addendum to
the Draft IOC Medium-Term Strategy 2008–2013 presents a proposal for
the structure and corresponding staff allocation of the IOC. The Assembly
is invited to support the proposed strengthening of the IOC status and staff
allocation at the UNESCO 34th General Conference.
(SC-2007/CONF.205/CLD.17 Add.)
IOC-XXIV/2 Annex 5 Add. 1 – page 2
Staffing IOC to implement the Medium-Term Strategy 2008–2013
1.
Resolution EC-XXXVII.11, Programme and Budget 2006–2007, instructed the Executive
Secretary to report on the appropriate allocation of permanent professional staff to fulfil effectively
and efficiently the IOC’s objectives in the Medium-Term Strategy for 2008–2013. Under the 33 C/5
the IOC is endowed with 9 professional posts and 12 general services posts. One additional
professional post (Capacity Building) is foreseen in the Draft 34 C/5 under the ZRG/RG scenario,
but it should be noted that Recommendation 4.2 of the External Evaluation of 2000 (IOC/ECXXXIII/2 Annex 3) to raise the number of permanent professional posts from 9 to 18 in a
reasonable period of time still remains unimplementable, given the general budgetary constraints
in UNESCO.
2.
Based on the current structure of the IOC —Ocean Observation and Services (OOS), Ocean
Sciences (OS), Capacity Building (CB), Tsunami Coordination Unit (TCU), and General Policy and
Coordination (GPC)— Figure 1 in the next page illustrates the appropriate structure and staff
allocation for IOC to fulfil the objectives mandated by the Medium-Term Strategy 2008–2013.
3.
Article 1 of the IOC Statutes establishes the IOC has a body with functional autonomy within
UNESCO and this should be reflected in the very structure of the IOC Secretariat, allowing for
corresponding administrative and executive functions. To date, the work of IOC in coordinating the
establishment of tsunami early warning systems has been financed totally from extrabudgetary
funds, but it will require more stable conditions in the future. Similarly, the Regional Subcommissions would need to be equipped with at least a coordinating post, to be able to assist in
the regional delivery of IOC programmes. Table 1 below details the financial implications of
reinforcing the allocation of permanent staff of the IOC Secretariat.
Table 1 Additional posts costing (based on 2006-2007 standard costs)
(in US$ for the biennium)
Headquarters
D-1
Deputy Executive Secretary
383,000
P-4
Executive Officer
280,000
P-4
Administrative Officer
280,000
Sub-total
943,000
P-5
Head, Tsunami Coordination Unit
336,000
P-4
Programme Specialist (Science)
280,000
P-3
Programme Specialist (CB)
229,000
Sub-total
845,000
TOTAL
1,788,000
P-4
Field
Head, IOCARIBE Secretariat
P-4
Head, WESTPAC Secretariat
281,000
317,000
287,000
in Colombia
in Jamaica
in Thailand
IOC-XXIV/2 Annex 5 Add. 1 – page 3
Figure 1. IOC required permanent staff allocation for the Medium-Term Strategy 2008–2013
(in blue/dark grey, existing positions; in yellow/light grey, required positions;
in white, existing general service staff)
IOC-XXIV/2 Annex 5 Add. 1 – page 4
4.
The relative contribution of the different sections of the IOC to the Draft Medium-Term
Strategy 2008–2013 is illustrated in the following matrix (Table 2), organized so as to highlight
individual programmes.
Table 2. Contribution of IOC programmes to the Medium-Term Strategy 2008–2013
High-level
Objectives
1. Prevention and
reduction of the
impacts of natural
hazards
2. Mitigation of the
impacts of and
adaptation to
climate change
and variability
Actions
1a. Promote integrated and
sustained monitoring and warning
systems for coastal and oceanic
hazards […].
1b. Educate communities at risk
with respect to natural hazards
impact prevention, preparedness
and mitigation measures.
2a. Increase the understanding of
the ocean’s role in climate
variability and climate change.
2b. Contribute to the better
prediction of climate through ocean
observation and process studies, at
regional and global scales.
2c. Increase the understanding of
the impacts of climate change and
variability on marine ecosystems
and their living resources.
3. Safeguarding
the health of
ocean ecosystems
4. Management
procedures and
policies leading to
the sustainability
of coastal and
ocean
environment and
resources
3a. Actively contribute to the
regular process for global reporting
and assessment of the state of the
marine environment.
3b. Further develop the research
and monitoring required for the
prevention of marine environment
degradation, and the maintenance
of biodiversity and the sustainable
use of marine habitats.
3c. Identify and develop the
capacity building necessary for
maintenance of healthy oceans
ecosystems focusing on the
regional needs.
4a. Enhance regional cooperation
and involvement of the Member
States through capacity building
and transfer of technology.
4b. Facilitate science related to
ocean and coastal resource
management.
4c. Enhance development and
implementation of decision support
tools that improve integrated ocean
and coastal management.
OOS
OS
CB
TCU
GPC
ICGs
ICAM
ITIC
WCRP
GOOS
JCOMM
IODE
OOPC
IOCCP
Coral
Bleaching
WG
GCRMN
Ocean
Acidification
GLOBEC
ICAM
GRAME
HAB
Marine
Biodiversity
Assessment of
institutes
UNESCO
Chairs
TTR
UNCLOS
ICAM
ICAM
5.
The Assembly is invited to: (a) consider the proposed staff requirement in the light of the
implementation of the Medium-Term Strategy 2008–2013; (b) request the reinforcing of the IOC
permanent staff allocation at the 34th UNESCO General Conference.