The permanent mission of the Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission (IOC) of UNESCO, as defined by the IOC revised Statutes (1999), is “to promote international cooperation and 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.” (Article 2.1)
IOC has a special responsibility for the implementation of parts XIII (Marine Scientific Research) and XIV (Development and Transfer of Marine Technology) of the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea. A particular role for IOC has also been defined by Agenda 21 (climate change and ocean observation) and the Plan of Implementation of the World Summit on Sustainable Development (capacity building for marine sciences and the sustainable management of oceans and their resources).
UNESCO’s Medium-Term Strategy (2002-2007) defines a key role for IOC concerning marine sciences and their application for the sustainable use of coastal and marine resources. Within the modalities of action for accomplishing the commitments of IOC in the UNESCO’s Medium-Term Strategy, the following activities are most relevant to the establishment and management of marine and coastal protected areas:
- In coastal environments, building partnerships that integrate the biophysical with the social sciences as a base to address management issues and increasing the focus of research activities onto coastal seas, including the connection with land-based sources of diffuse pollution like nitrogen, phosphorous and silicate.
- Leading the development and implementation of the Global Ocean Observing System (GOOS), as part of an Integrated Global Observing Strategy (IGOS) to improve forecasting of natural phenomena as well as management of coastal seas and their living resources.
- Through the development of regional ocean data and information networks (ODIN), on the model of ODINCARSA for Latin America and the Caribbean and ODINAFRICA in Africa, assisting Member States to develop the necessary human and institutional resources to collect, manage and disseminate data and information services and products required by all stakeholders for sustainable coastal and ocean development.
- Working through Training, Education, and Mutual Assistance (the TEMA Programme) to improve the capacity of developing countries to participate in IOC scientific and technical programmes.
- Intensifying support to the African Process as a follow-up to the Pan-African Conference on Sustainable Integrated Coastal Management (PACSICOM), especially in the development of marine data and information networks and integrated coastal management.
- Promoting integrated coastal and ocean management at the national level, and encourage and assist Member States in developing ocean policies and mechanisms on integrated coastal management and methodologies, tools and indicators to measure progress and outcomes of these efforts.
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