Forty-first Session of the Executive Council UNESCO, Paris, 24 June 1 st July 2008 ACTION PAPER

Transcription

1 Restricted Distribution IOC/EC-XLI/2 Paris, 30 May 2008 Original: English INTERGOVERNMENTAL OCEANOGRAPHIC COMMISSION (of UNESCO) Forty-first Session of the Executive Council UNESCO, Paris, 24 June 1 st July 2008 Covers all items of the Revised Provisional Agenda ACTION PAPER This Action Paper provides the information necessary for effective participation in the discussion of the agenda items. This information includes: (i) the identification of the relevant documentation; (ii) identification of the issue before the Executive Council and the expected decision; (iii) background information (if the relevant background information requires a separate presentation, it will be issued as an Annex to the present Action Paper, and this will be specifically mentioned); (iv) if deemed to facilitate debate, Draft Resolutions are proposed under the corresponding agenda items without prejudice to the wishes of the Executive Council or the recommendations of its Resolutions Committee. The blank right-hand pages are provided to allow participants to take notes, if they so wish. (SC-2008/CONF.203/CLD.2)

2 IOC/EC-XLI/2 TABLE OF CONTENTS page 1. OPENING ORGANIZATION OF THE SESSION ADOPTION OF THE AGENDA DESIGNATION OF THE RAPPORTEUR ESTABLISHMENT OF INTRASESSIONAL COMMITTEES INTRODUCTION OF DOCUMENTATION AND TIMETABLE ROGER REVELLE MEMORIAL LECTURES DEVELOPMENTS SINCE THE 24th SESSION OF THE IOC ASSEMBLY REPORT BY THE CHAIRMAN ON INTERSESSIONAL ACTIVITIES REPORT BY THE EXECUTIVE SECRETARY ON PROGRAMME AND BUDGET IMPLEMENTATION PROGRAMME MATTERS REQUIRING DECISIONS BY THE EXECUTIVE COUNCIL GENERAL POLICY AND COORDINATION Working Group on the Future of the IOC The Fiftieth Anniversary of the Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission of UNESCO IOC Biennial Strategy and Operating Plan for Report on the Global Earth Observation System of Systems (GEOSS) Implementation Follow-up of the Seventh Session of the IOC Sub-Commission for the Western Pacific (WESTPAC-VII) Relations with Other Marine-Related Programmes of UNESCO Relations with the Joint Group of Experts on the Scientific Aspects of Marine Environmental Protection (GESAMP) General Bathymetric Chart of the Oceans (GEBCO) UN CONVENTIONS AND AGREEMENTS IOC and the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) Follow-up of the Eighth Session of the IOC Advisory Body of Experts on the Law of the Sea (IOC/ABE-LOS VIII) IOC and the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) IOC and the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) ADDRESSING THE IMPACTS OF CLIMATE CHANGE AND VARIABILITY, INCLUDING SEA LEVEL RISE [MLA 2.1] IOC Participation in the International Polar Year and in the International Year of Planet Earth

3 IOC/EC-XLI/2 page (ii) Page Report on WMO-IOC Joint Technical Commission for Oceanography and Marine Meteorology (JCOMM) Programme Implementation Report on Global Ocean Observing System (GOOS) Programme Implementation Interaction with the WMO ICSU IOC World Climate Research Programme (WCRP) Report on the IMO London Convention Scientific Group Meeting on Ocean Iron Fertilization SAFEGUARDING MARINE ECOSYSTEM HEALTH AND INTEGRATED MANAGEMENT [MLA 2.2] Regular Process for Global Reporting and Assessment of the State of the Marine Environment, including Socio-Economic Aspects Interaction with the Census of Marine Life (CoML) and Other Research Programmes on Marine Biodiversity CAPACITY-BUILDING, DATA AND INFORMATION SERVICES AND PROCEDURES FOR MARINE SCIENTIFIC RESEARCH [MLA 2.3] Report on the International Oceanographic Data and Information Exchange (IODE) Programme Report on Implementation of the IOC Capacity-Development Activities MITIGATING THE IMPACTS OF TSUNAMIS AND OTHER MARINE HAZARDS [MLA 3.1] Follow-up of the Fifth Session of the IOC Intergovernmental Coordination Group for the Indian Ocean Tsunami Warning and Mitigation System (ICG/IOTWS) Follow-up of the Fourth Session of the IOC Intergovernmental Coordination Group for the Tsunami Early Warning and Mitigation System in the North-eastern Atlantic, the Mediterranean and Connected Seas (ICG/NEAMTWS) Follow-up of the Third Session of the IOC Intergovernmental Coordination Group for Tsunami and Other Coastal Hazards Warning System for the Caribbean and Adjacent Regions (ICG/CARIBE-EWS) Follow-up of the Twenty-Second Session of the IOC Intergovernmental Coordination Group for the Tsunami Early Warning and Mitigation System in the Pacific (ICG/PTWS) Follow-up of the First Meeting of the Working Group on Tsunamis and Other Hazards related to Sea Level Warning and Mitigation Systems (TOWS-WG) ADMINISTRATION AND MANAGEMENT PREPARATION OF THE DRAFT PROGRAMME AND BUDGET FOR DATES AND PLACES FOR THE FORTY-SECOND AND FORTY-THIRD SESSIONS OF THE EXECUTIVE COUNCIL RECRUITMENT OF THE IOC EXECUTIVE SECRETARY ADOPTION OF RESOLUTIONS AND SUMMARY REPORT CLOSURE... 34

4 IOC/EC-XLI/2 page 1 1. OPENING 1 The Chairman, Capt. Javier A. Valladares, will open the 41st Session of the IOC Executive Council at a.m. on Tuesday 24 June The Director-General of UNESCO will address the Executive Council. The Chairman will ask the participants to stand in silence for one minute as a mark of respect to distinguished individuals who have collaborated with the Commission and have passed away during the past year: Dale C. Krause (USA, ), internationally respected marine geophysicist and former Director of the Division of Marine Science at UNESCO; Tom Winterfeld (USA, ), oceanographer and past IODE Chairman (1979 and 1981); Edward D. Goldberg (USA, ), marine chemist and professor, author of a book on the Health of the Ocean for the IOC; Professor Carlo Morelli (Italy, ), a prominent contributor to the IOC Ocean Mapping Programme and the General Bathymetric Chart of the Oceans (GEBCO), formerly Chief Editor and Chairman of the International Bathymetric Chart of the Mediterranean Sea (IBCM) and Head of the Italian Delegation to the IOC; Professor Dr Friedrich Schott (Germany, ) from the Leibniz Institute of Marine Sciences, contributor and leader in international programmes such as WOCE, CLIVAR, GOOS SC and OOPC. 2. ORGANIZATION OF THE SESSION 2.1 ADOPTION OF THE AGENDA Working documents: IOC/EC-XLI/1 Prov. Provisional Agenda IOC/EC-XLI/2 Add. Action Paper Addendum: Integrated Coastal Research Reports: IOC-XXIV/3 Report of the Twenty-fourth Session of the IOC Assembly, Paris, June 2007 (Report of the 40 th Executive Council included) IOC/EC-XXXIX/3 Report of the 39th Session of the IOC Executive Council, Paris, June The Executive Secretary will introduce this item. All agenda items decided by the Assembly at its 24th Session, in June 2007, and by the Executive Council at its 39 th Session, in June 2006, are included. The Executive Secretary, with the agreement of the Officers of the Commission, decided that the agenda should reflect the structure of the Main Lines of Actions the IOC is involved in, as they appear in the UNESCO Programme and Budget (34 C/5). 3 The Executive Secretary will also propose, in accordance with Rule 21.2c, the addition of a new item 4.4.3, Integrated Coastal Research, for which an explanatory note is provided in an addendum to this Action Paper. DECISION 2.1: The Executive Council will be invited to adopt the revised provisional agenda as is or as amended by the Executive Council at the present session. 2.2 DESIGNATION OF THE RAPPORTEUR DECISION 2.2: The Chairman will invite the Executive Council to designate the Rapporteur for the present session, to assist the Chairman and the Executive Secretary in the preparation of the Draft Summary Report.

5 IOC/EC-XLI/2 page ESTABLISHMENT OF INTRASESSIONAL COMMITTEES DECISION 2.3: The Chairman will invite the Executive Council to constitute the following statutory sessional committees and will remind the participating Member States of the openended character thereof. (i) (ii) Resolutions Committee: the Chairman will read out the names of those Member States that will have notified the Executive Council at the present session of their wish to participate in the Resolutions Committee and will invite other Member States to manifest their interest. The current composition will be: [List of countries]. The Chairman will then propose [name of country] to chair this Committee. If the country kindly agrees, it will nominate a member of its delegation [name of the delegate]. Financial Committee, under the chairmanship of Neville Smith (Australia), Vice- Chairman responsible for financial matters. The Chairman will read out the names of those Member States that will have already notified the Executive Council at the present session of their wish to participate in the Financial Committee, and will invite other Member States to manifest their interest. The current composition will be: [List of countries]. The Chairman will remind the Executive Council that the Financial Committee will have to screen all Draft Resolutions and Decisions on the ground of their potential financial implications. The Chairman will also invite the Executive Council to constitute ad hoc sessional working/drafting groups as needed on: the Preliminary Plan and Schedule of Initiatives for the 50 th Anniversary of the Commission (item 4.1.2; IOC/EC-XLI/2 Annex 3) under the Chairmanship of Professor David Pugh, past Chairman of IOC the Working Group on the Future of IOC, item under the Chairmanship of Vice- Chairperson Dr Savithri Narayanan. 2.4 INTRODUCTION OF DOCUMENTATION AND TIMETABLE Working documents: IOC/EC-XLI/1 Add. Prov. Provisional Timetable IOC/EC-XLI/4 Prov. Rev. IOC/EC-XLI/2 IOC/EC-XLI/2 Add. Revised Provisional List of Documents Action Paper Action Paper Addendum: Integrated Coastal Research Information: IOC/EC-XLI/Inf.1 Information and Guidelines for Participants 4 The Executive Secretary will introduce this item. He will briefly review the list of Working Documents. 5 He will inform the Executive Council that some flexibility could be introduced into the Provisional Timetable on a day-to-day basis by delaying afternoon plenary sessions by one hour in order to accommodate a three-hour time slot for the working groups and committees. Should the Executive Council decide to do so, the afternoon plenary session will end an hour later; i.e p.m. The Executive Secretary will remind the Executive Council that the deadline for the submission of Draft Resolutions is Thursday 26 June, 5.30 p.m., two working days before the adoption of Resolutions in plenary.

6 IOC/EC-XLI/2 page 3 6 The Chairman will invite the Executive Council to adopt the Provisional Timetable, taking into account: (i) any Executive Council decision to constitute sessional committees and working groups; (ii) the time likely to be required by those groups to report, if requested to do so, to the plenary; (iii) the timely preparation of the Draft Summary Report and Resolutions in all the Commission's working languages; and (iv) the need to benefit from the interpretation service available. The Chairman will remind participants that the plenary will be in session on the morning of Saturday 28 June. 2.5 ROGER REVELLE MEMORIAL LECTURES Information: IOC/EC-XLI/Inf.2 Presentation and Abstracts of the Revelle Memorial Lectures, The Chairman will introduce this item. In deciding on the Revelle Memorial Lectures, the IOC Officers wished to give high visibility to the impact of climate change on the marine environment and coastal zones. Three lecturers were invited to tackle this subject, each from a different perspective. 8 Nadia Pinardi, Associate Professor at the Laboratorio di Simulazioni Numeriche del Clima e degli Ecosistemi Marini, Italy (SINCEM), will address Operational oceanography: the present system and the future challenges. 9 Robert J. Nicholls, Professor of Coastal Engineering at the School of Civil Engineering and the Environment, Southampton, United Kingdom, will address Adaptation frameworks for climate change and sea-level rise impacts on the coastal zone. 10 Dr Cecilie Mauritzen, Director, Climate Division at the Norwegian Meteorological Institute will address "Arctic Observations: meeting the needs of operational ocean forecasting, climate monitoring and all timescales in between". 11 A full afternoon on Thursday 26 June will be dedicated to the Revelle Memorial Lectures Each lecturer will give a 30-minute presentation, followed by a debate with a moderator to widen the scope of consideration, and will answer questions from the audience. 12 On this occasion, the Chairman will present the lecturers with the IOC Roger Revelle Medal. 3. DEVELOPMENTS SINCE THE 24TH SESSION OF THE IOC ASSEMBLY 3.1 REPORT BY THE CHAIRMAN ON INTERSESSIONAL ACTIVITIES [Rule of Procedure No. 21.2c] 13 The Chairman will report on actions taken by himself and the other Officers, on behalf of the IOC, since the 24th session of the Assembly (UNESCO, Paris, June 2007). DECISION 3.1: The Executive Council will be invited to comment on the Chairman s report.

7 IOC/EC-XLI/2 page REPORT BY THE EXECUTIVE SECRETARY ON PROGRAMME AND BUDGET IMPLEMENTATION [Rule of Procedure 49.1] Working documents: IOC/EC-XLI/2 Annex 1 Report by the IOC Executive Secretary on Programme Implementation IOC/EC-XLI /2 Annex 1 Add. 1 IOC/EC-XLI /2 Annex 1 Add. 2 IOC/EC-XLI/2 Annex 2 Sister Follow-up Qualitative Report for the IOC Implementation of IOC Governing Body Resolutions Report on Budget Execution ( ) and Anticipated Funding for 2008 Reports: IOC Annual Report no. 14 IOC Annual Report The Executive Secretary will introduce this item. He will inform the Executive Council of the key achievements and challenges in the implementation of the Commission s Programme of Work and Budget in At the 34 th General Conference of UNESCO (Paris, 16 October 3 November 2007) there was unanimously strong support for the Commission, allowing the Commission to maintain approximately the same budget allocation for the activities specified in the previous biennium, as requested by the Assembly at its 24 th Session (Paris, June 2007) through Resolution XXIV-15 (the adopted appropriation for activities for , inclusive of indirect programme costs, was $4,092,100, or about 5% more than for the biennium ). The General Conference also encouraged the Director-General to look for ways to reinforce the IOC budget through an additional allocation. 15 In the programme and budget cycle for , the coordination of ocean observations, data acquisition and the provision of hazard-warning services was enhanced: the number of profiling Argo floats deployed reached its target level of 3,000 floats established in year 2000, and the Global Sea Level Observing System (GLOSS) Group of Experts has played a leading role in the upgrading of the global network of sea level stations, particularly in the Indian Ocean. In 2007, the number of operational sea level stations in the region grew by more than 25 units. In this context, IOC signed an agreement with INMARSAT (LSE:ISAT), the leading provider of global mobile satellite communications, to further upgrade the Indian Ocean Tsunami Warning and Mitigation System through a broadband global area network (BGAN) transmission service for 50 sea-level stations which will thus be enabled to transmit data every 15 minutes via meteorological satellites. 16 In other regions the coordination of regional systems for tsunami warning and mitigation also made progress: in the north-eastern Atlantic and the Mediterranean the architecture of a regional system of tsunami watch centres is under development; in the Caribbean the creation of a real-time data-sharing system for existing seismic monitoring networks has been agreed at the Third Session of the ICG/CARIBE-EWS (Panama City, March 2008). 17 For , the high-level objectives and actions of the IOC Medium-Term Strategy have been fully incorporated into the UNESCO Programme and Budget (34 C/5). With respect to the long-standing involvement of IOC in climate-related monitoring, research and assessment, UNESCO has entrusted the Executive Secretary with leading an intersectoral platform on climate change. In addition, IOC is also directly contributing to the intersectoral platform through interventions in West and Central Africa aimed at assisting Member States to formulate national strategies to adapt to climate and coastal change. 18 In response to Resolution XXIV-10, support is being provided, in , to the IOC Regional Committees for the organization of their sessions; this is of particular value in Africa

8 IOC/EC-XLI/2 page 5 (Resolution XXIV-3), where both the IOC Regional Committee for the Eastern Atlantic (IOCEA) and the IOC Regional Committee for the Western Indian Ocean (IOCWIO) will hold their sessions later this year. Cooperation was pursued with the Permanent Commission for the South Pacific (CPPS) (Resolution XXIV-11), which is acting as regional coordinator of the SPINCAM project (Southeast Pacific data and Information Network in support of Integrated Coastal Area Management), funded by the Flemish Government and aimed at developing indicators and state of the coastal zone reports for the Pacific rim of Latin America. 19 To remedy the weakness and administrative inefficiency of the regional operations of the IOC Sub-Commissions, the Director-General of UNESCO is supporting IOC through the provision of one additional permanent post for the Head of the WESTPAC Secretariat at the UNESCO Regional Office in Bangkok, Thailand, with expected effect from next autumn. Similar arrangements have been made for the post of Head of the IOCARIBE Secretariat, through the UNESCO Regional Office in Kingston, Jamaica. In addition, IOC is also supporting its Regional Committees through the administrative assistance of the UNESCO Regional Offices in Accra, Nairobi and Doha. DECISION 3.2: The Executive Council will be invited to consider, with a view to accepting, the Executive Secretary s Reports on Programme Implementation and on Budget Execution ( ) and Budget Outline and Progress Report for PROGRAMME MATTERS REQUIRING DECISIONS BY THE EXECUTIVE COUNCIL 4.1 GENERAL POLICY AND COORDINATION Working Group on the Future of the IOC [Res. XXIV-1] Reports: IOC/Future-I/3 Report of the First Session of the Working Group on the Future of IOC, Paris, France,19-20 February 2008 (Executive Summary in E, F, R and S) 20 The Co-chairperson of the Working Group on the Future of IOC, Dr Savi Narayanan (Canada), will introduce this item. The Working Group on the Future of IOC, at its First Session (Paris, France, February 2008), confirmed that the current IOC mandate, as stated in its Statutes (Article 2), as amended in 1999, is appropriate and, with its current Medium-Term Strategy, provides a positive starting point for assessing long-term trends that may affect the IOC and constitute a flexible institutional mechanism enabling the IOC to adapt to emerging trends in oceanography and to respond to Member States priorities in a timely manner. It also agreed that the future of IOC should be based on the premise that the IOC will remain, and should be reinforced, within UNESCO. The Working Group recommended that IOC should look for an enhanced role within UNESCO in terms of intersectoral cooperation, based on its strong technical expertise in ocean sciences, ocean services and capacity-development. It did not reach any consensus on options for a more independent IOC outside UNESCO. 21 The Working Group analysed financial and programme matters, relations with other intergovernmental and international organizations, and improvement of the involvement of Member States and of regional programme delivery. 22 Dr Narayanan will also introduce a list of short-term actions produced by the Working Group.

9 IOC/EC-XLI/2 page 6 DECISION 4.1.1: The Executive Council will be invited to: (i) consider the recommendations of the IOC Working Group on the Future of IOC, as well as the short-term list of actions it adopted; (ii) submit its conclusions thereon to the Assembly for consideration at its 25th Session (2009); (iii) seek, for consideration by the Assembly, as appropriate, the necessary legal advice, including an examination of the Working Group s recommendations by the UNESCO Office of International Standards and Legal Affairs, and by the IOC Advisory Body of Experts on the Law of the Sea (IOC/ABE-LOS) at its 9th session (2009) The Fiftieth Anniversary of the Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission of UNESCO [Rule of Procedure 21.2c with reference to Res. XXIV-4] Working documents: IOC/EC-XLI/2 Annex 3 Fiftieth Anniversary of the IOC: Preliminary Plan and Schedule of Initiatives 23 The Past Chairman, Prof. David Pugh, will introduce this item. He will present a list of initiatives and a timeline proposed to Member States to celebrate the 50 th anniversary of the IOC, based on the theme Half a century of ocean science and service. The celebrations should not just focus on the achievements of the past, but ensure that the international community and its leaders are made aware of the enormous contribution IOC can make in the future, by showcasing the breadth and depth of IOC activities, building awareness of the advances in oceanography and related sciences. Among the proposed activities are: The publication of a book on The History of the Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission, translated into the Commission s four official languages, with contributions from marine scientists familiar with that history The holding, if possible, of a special session of the Executive Council at the United Nations headquarters in New York A celebrative conference, in collaboration with UNESCO, to be held in Paris Exhibitions on the subject of oceanography, to be held in Paris and elsewhere in the world The production of short media messages on the importance of the oceans The adaptation of IOC policy briefs (e.g. on oceans and carbon, sea level) for the general public Design of a 50 th anniversary IOC logo to be used on web sites, letterhead etc. for the years prior to the anniversary The use of the IOC website to announce initiatives already funded as contributions to the anniversary (e.g. activities for the International Year of Planet Earth IYPE) The production of IOC promotional materials (e.g., neckties, ballpoint pens and lapel pins) featuring the anniversary IOC logo. DECISION 4.1.2: The Executive Council will be invited to: (i) adopt the programme of activities proposed for the celebration of the 50 th anniversary of the IOC; (ii) adopt Draft Resolution EC- XLI.(4.1.2), calling on Member States to pledge funds for this initiative; and (iii) submit a Draft Resolution on the 50 th Anniversary of IOC for the consideration of and adoption by the 35 th General Conference of UNESCO in 2009.

10 IOC/EC-XLI/2 page 7 Draft Resolution EC-XLI.(4.1.2) The Executive Council, Underlining the significance of the fiftieth anniversary of the Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission of UNESCO as an occasion to take stock of advances in marine sciences and related international cooperation, both at the global and regional levels, and plans for future directions in this area, Recalling Resolution 2.31 adopted by the General Conference of UNESCO at its 11th session in conformity with the recommendation of the Intergovernmental Conference on Oceanic Research (Copenhagen, July 1960), Recalling also the experience of the celebrations for the 1998 International UN Year of the Ocean, Reaffirming the role of IOC in promoting and facilitating international cooperation and coordinating programmes in research, services and capacity-building, at the global and regional levels, in order to learn more about the nature and resources of the ocean and coastal areas and to apply that knowledge to the improvement of management, sustainable development, the protection of the marine environment, and the relevant decision-making procedures of its Member States, Emphasizing the role of IOC as an intergovernmental commission with functional autonomy within UNESCO to address the problems within its mandate that require concerted international action, Having considered the draft IOC plan of action for the commemoration of the 50th anniversary of the IOC, Adopts the said revised draft IOC plan of action [to be] annexed to the Resolution; Urges Member States, public and private institutions within the Member States, civil society, including non-governmental organizations, educational institutions, National Oceanographic Committees, National Commissions for UNESCO and other appropriate bodies of the organizations cooperating with the Commission, to contribute to the commemoration of the 50th anniversary of the IOC by undertaking initiatives to further promote marine sciences and the Commission; Requests the Executive-Secretary to take the appropriate steps to implement the IOC plan of action in cooperation with UNESCO and other UN organizations cooperating with the Commission; Establishes a small guiding group for the 50 th Anniversary of IOC, to be composed of former Officers and Secretaries of the Commission and to function by , with a view to broadening the source of ideas and to mobilizing of the maximum possible support; Invites the Director-General of UNESCO to consider allocating targeted financial resources to IOC in the draft programme and budget for (Draft 35 C/5) to organize a World Ocean Conference and an associated forum of ocean ministers, as well as an exhibition on the history of oceanography in conjunction with the 36th General Conference of UNESCO in 2011; Invites Member States and other funding sources to consider making extrabudgetary contributions in this regard; Further requests the Executive-Secretary to establish a dedicated account for the commemoration of the 50th anniversary of the IOC to be financed by voluntary contributions.

11 IOC/EC-XLI/2 page IOC Biennial Strategy and Operating Plan for [Res. EC-XXXIX.1 and Res. XXIV-2] Working documents: IOC/EC-XLI/2 Annex 4 Draft IOC Operating Plan for IOC/EC-XLI/2 Annex 5 IOC/EC-XLI/2 Annex 6 Report by the IOC Executive Secretary on the Status of IOC Subsidiary Bodies Draft Rules of Procedure for IOC Subsidiary Bodies 24 The Executive Secretary will introduce this item. In accordance with the recommendations of the Financial Committee of the 24th Assembly (paragraphs of the Summary Report) and Resolution XXIV-2, the Draft IOC Operating Plan for provides the operational framework for achieving the Purpose of the Commission and the High-Level Objectives and Actions of its Biennial Strategy , taking into account the different roles played by the Member States, the Commission s Subsidiary Bodies and the Secretariat. The Draft Operating Plan uses the programmes of the IOC as main building blocks and, in concept at least, each of the programme deliverables is aligned with the specific expected result(s) to which it contributes. In the IOC Biennial Programme and Budget, expected results are delivered by the end of the period concerned, though there remains the possibility to articulate more precise deadlines against deliverables and particular elements or stages associated with the results. 25 In the Draft Operating Plan, the activities of the Secretariat, mostly in the form of coordination, organization of meetings, and generation of scientific and technical reports, are distinguished from those within the wider domain of actions by the Member States of the Commission, in the form of contributions to science, observational infrastructure, management of data, transfer of technology, ocean services and products, legal debates, and similar actions. The impact and effectiveness of the Commission are captured in the commitment of Member States to achieving expected results, and in associated key performance indicators, whereas the actions of the Secretariat are embodied in its programme of work and the associated internal measures of performance. 26 The Draft Operating Plan pays attention to the contributions of IOC primary and secondary Subsidiary Bodies, as referred to in document IOC/INF-1241, and in particular of the Regional Subsidiary Bodies through which the Operating Plans are decentralized. In several instances, Subsidiary Bodies and associated programmes operate jointly with other UN organizations. The Draft Operating Plan invites IOC Subsidiary Bodies to operate under harmonized Guidelines (document IOC/EC-XLI/2 Annex 6) and to report to the 25 th Assembly on their contribution to the IOC Medium-Term Strategy using the reporting template prepared by the Secretariat for document IOC/EC-XLI/2 Annex 5. DECISION 4.1.3: The Executive Council will be invited to: (i) consider, with a view to adopting, the IOC Operating Plan ; (ii) consider the status of IOC primary Subsidiary Bodies; (iii) consider, with a view to adopting, the Draft Guidelines for Subsidiary Bodies; (iv) instruct the Executive Secretary to submit to the 25 th Assembly a report on the status of primary and secondary Subsidiary Bodies and proposals for their optimization; and (v) adopt Draft Resolution EC-XLI.(4.1.3). Draft Resolution EC-XLI.(4.1.3) The Executive Council, Recalling Resolution XXIV-2 adopting the IOC Medium-Term Strategy and the IOC Biennial Strategy and instructing the Executive Secretary to prepare and execute an Operational Plan for the Secretariat,

12 IOC/EC-XLI/2 page 9 Recalling also the principles of results-based planning and programming and the role of performance indicators to enhance programme implementation and effectiveness, Having considered the draft IOC Operating Plan presented in IOC/EC-XLI/2 Annex 4, Adopts the IOC Operating Plan ; Urges Member States to contribute to the implementation of the Operating Plan through appropriate ways and means, by: (i) (ii) (iii) (iv) nominating or confirming (a) an official national focal point, preferably a National Oceanographic Committee acting as the official national coordinating body for liaison with the IOC, and (b) national focal points for all IOC Subsidiary Bodies in which they participate; participating as actively as possible in the work of the Commission s Subsidiary Bodies; contributing financial resources; and seconding personnel to the Commission s staff; Requests Sub-Commissions, Regional, Scientific and Technical Committees, and all other Subsidiary Bodies of the IOC, in the organization of their activities, to adhere to the direction and priorities set forth in the IOC Operating Plan annexed to this Resolution and to monitor and evaluate progress against the expected results and performance indicators for relevant to their plans; Instructs the Executive Secretary to: (i) (ii) (iii) Implement the Operating Plan according to the principles of results-based programming and management Define strategic approaches to implementing crosscutting activities in the areas of sea level, coastal zones and marine ecosystems Periodically monitor and assess progress towards the achievement of the expected results, and report thereon to the 25 th Session of the Assembly. Annex to Draft Resolution EC-XLI.(4.1.3) IOC Operating Plan Report on the Global Earth Observation System of Systems (GEOSS) Implementation [Rule of Procedure 21.2c] References: GEO Report (ISBN ) GEO Report (ISBN ) The first 100 steps to GEOSS s.pdf The Full Picture

13 IOC/EC-XLI/2 page The Director of the GEO Secretariat, José Achache, will introduce this item. The IOC is committed to contributing, through GOOS, to the ocean and coastal components of the Global Earth Observing System of Systems (GEOSS). 28 Through Resolution XXIII-1, the Assembly, in 2005, instructed the Executive Secretary to keep the Group on Earth Observations (GEO) fully informed of the contribution of GOOS and other relevant IOC activities to GEOSS and to work closely with counterparts in other UN agencies to ensure a coordinated role for the UN system. The Assembly, at its 24th Session (Paris, June 2007), urged Member States to enhance communication with their national delegations to GEO and encouraged them to actively participate in, and indicate their support for GOOS, at the GEO Ministerial Summit (Cape Town, 30 November 2007), with a view to seeking political support for sustaining and extending ocean observations. The Assembly, also at its 24th Session, agreed that the GOOS Coastal Module should develop synergies with GEO, while expressing concern about the participation of the developing countries in the GEO process. Through Resolution XXIV-7, the Assembly decided to seek sustained commitments to maintaining essential ocean and coastal remote-sensing data streams through GEOSS and other groups. 29 The UNESCO biennial Programme and Budget for mentions, in the relevant science sector plans, its participation in the GEOSS as part of the Organization s contribution to monitoring global climate change. 30 In the GEO Work Plan, GOOS is leading GEO task CL to Enhance and improve coordination of coastal and marine climate observations in support of a global ocean observation system. IOC continues to participate actively in the UN Interagency Coordination and Planning Committee for GEO/GEOSS (ICPC; membership includes ICSU, FAO, IOC, UNESCO, UNEP and WMO) and chaired the ICPC in GOOS participated in the GEO Ministerial Summit in November 2007, including the organization of a major outreach effort, together with partners such as POGO, Argo Project Office and SAHFOS, to highlight the benefits of ocean observations for society. 31 The Assembly, in 2007, was informed that the initial efforts of the IOC Secretariat to participate proactively in GEOSS could not be continued unless dedicated regular or extrabudgetary funding was made available for this purpose. Since no such funding has been made available, the Secretariat has been unable to take an appropriate leadership role in providing the ocean component of the GEOSS. DECISION 4.1.4: The Executive Council will be invited to: (i) reaffirm the Commission s commitment to participate in the GEOSS, through GOOS as a principal participating organization; (ii) identify extrabudgetary funding to enable the Commission to continue its meaningful participation in GEOSS Follow-up of the Seventh Session of the IOC Sub-Commission for the Western Pacific (WESTPAC-VII) [Rule of Procedure 21.2c] Reports: IOC/SC-WESTPAC-VII/3s Executive Summary of the Seventh Session of the IOC Sub-Commission for the Western Pacific (WESTPAC-VII), Sabah, Malaysia, May The Chairperson of WESTPAC (to be elected in May 2008) will introduce this item. He/she will report on the major outcomes of WESTPAC s Seventh Session (Kota Kinabalu, Sabah, Malaysia, May 2008). Significant progress has been made by WESTPAC recently to meet the IOC s High-level Objectives, mainly through: (i) the restructuring of WESTPAC activities and enhancing participation of Member States in them; (ii) the initiation of new

14 IOC/EC-XLI/2 page 11 projects; (iii) the development of regional capability through the establishment of the network of IOC Regional Training and Research Centres on Oceanography in the Western Pacific; (iv) the rescheduling of WESTPAC s Sessions in line with IOC s planning cycle. The Chairperson will also thank the Government of Malaysia for hosting the 7 th WESTPAC International Scientific Symposium, which will take place prior to the 7th Session of WESTPAC with the theme of Natural Hazards and Changing Marine Environment in the Western Pacific. This Symposium was designed around the IOC High-level Objectives, with the aim of orienting the regional marine scientific activities. 33 In spite of the major problems of financial insecurity and understaffed Regional Secretariat, which have been impeding the development of WESTPAC, the Chairperson will stress the importance of shaping the future of WESTPAC in the next intersessional period, through continuing restructuring of its activities, long-term strategy planning, and the formulation of one comprehensive and unique science programme for WESTPAC. DECISION 4.1.5: The Executive Council will be invited to: (i) take note of recent progress by the Sub-Commission for WESTPAC; (ii) endorse the initiatives WESTPAC has taken towards the achievement of IOC High-level Objectives; (iii) endorse the Recommendations (if any) made by the Sub-Commission at its 7th Session (WESTPAC-VII); (iv) encourage all Member States to actively participate in the restructuring of WESTPAC activities through the initiation and facilitation of the proposed new regional projects, the secondment of staff and the provision of adequate financial support to the WESTPAC Secretariat to enable it to discharge its agreed responsibilities effectively Relations with Other Marine-Related Programmes of UNESCO [Rule of Procedure 21.2c] Working documents: IOC/EC-XLI/2 Annex 7 Relations with Marine-related Programmes of UNESCO 34 The Director of the UNESCO Division of Ecological and Earth Sciences for Sustainable Development, Mr Natarajan Ishwaran, and the Director of the UNESCO World Heritage Centre (WHC), Mr Francesco Bandarin, will introduce this item. They will report on a number of cooperative activities being carried out with IOC, most notably in the area of conservation of marine biodiversity. Among these are: (i) the development, through a Group of Experts, of ecological criteria and a biogeographical classification systems for marine areas (ii) the application of marine spatial planning approaches to the management of a biosphere reserve and World Heritage sites in Viet Nam (iii) the organization of scientific cooperation with the marine component of the international programme on biodiversity, Diversitas (iv) preparatory work with the Regional Organization for the Conservation of the Environment of the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden (PERSGA) and the Cousteau Society for the development of indicators of integrated coastal area management in Sudan (v) preparation of a dedicated session of the biennial Status of Coral Reefs of the World report, sponsored by IOC, on coral reefs in World Heritage sites. 35 The cooperative activities undertaken by IOC with the UNESCO programme Man and the Biosphere (MAB) and with the WHC respond to three distinct needs: (i) implementing some of the actions foreseen in the IOC Biennial Strategy under High-Level Objectives 3 (Safeguarding the health of ocean ecosystems) and 4 (Management procedures and policies leading to the sustainability of coastal and ocean environment and resources), through the enhancement of science and the

15 IOC/EC-XLI/2 page 12 development of capacities for maintaining healthy ocean ecosystems (ii) addressing the recommendations of the Review Committee that reviewed UNESCO Major Programmes II (Natural Sciences) and III (Social and Human Sciences), notably, Recommendation 3 (Strengthening interdisciplinary and intersectoral activities) and Recommendation 5 (International science programmes: towards better coordination and synergy) (iii) providing coordinated UNESCO contributions to United Nations processes and mechanisms, such as the Informal Consultative Process (ICP) on Oceans and the Law of the Sea, and UN-Oceans. 36 A framework of cooperation in this area is proposed by the Secretariat so as to streamline current work and maximize its positive impacts on IOC, on the marine-related programmes of UNESCO, and on UNESCO as a whole. The Executive Council may wish to consider this issue also in relation to agenda item DECISION 4.1.6: The Executive Council will be invited to: (i) consider, with a view to endorsing, the proposed framework of cooperation between IOC and other marine-related programmes of UNESCO; (ii) consider cooperation opportunities with other marine-related activities of UNESCO, such as the platform on Coastal Regions and Small Islands (CSI) and the activities of the Secretariat to the Convention for the Protection of Underwater Cultural Heritage; and (iii) provide advice to the Executive Secretary on the scope and effort of such cooperation Relations with the Joint Group of Experts on the Scientific Aspects of Marine Environmental Protection (GESAMP) [Rule of Procedure 21.2c] Information documents: ISBN The New GESAMP: Science for Sustainable Oceans: A Strategic Vision for the IMO/FAO/UNESCO-IOC/WMO/IAEA/UN/UNEP Joint Group of Experts on the Scientific Aspects of Marine Environmental Protection. London, IMO 2005 IOC/INF-1248 GESAMP Report and Studies, 77 (Draft) updated Memorandum on the Joint Group of Experts on the Scientific Aspects of Marine Environmental Protection (GESAMP) and Rules of Procedure of the New GESAMP and Guidelines for Their Implementation Report of the 34th Session of GESAMP, Paris, 8 11 May The Acting Head of the Ocean Sciences Section will introduce this agenda item. The newly elected GESAMP Chairman, Mr Tim Bowmer, will provide a short overview of GESAMP s current activities and status. The Joint Group of Experts on the Scientific Aspects of Marine Environmental Protection was established in 1969 as a group of independent experts to give scientific advice upon request by the sponsors. At present, it is jointly sponsored by eight United Nations organizations with responsibilities relating to the marine environment. GESAMP consists of 25 to 30 experts, drawn from a wide range of relevant disciplines, including biodiversity-related disciplines; studies and assessments are usually carried out by dedicated working groups. The GESAMP work programme includes providing, upon request: synthesized results of regional and thematic assessments and scientific studies to support global assessments of the marine environment; scientific and technical guidance on the design and execution of marine environmental assessments; scientific reviews, analyses, and advice on specific topics relevant to the condition of the marine environment, its investigation, protection, and/or management.

16 IOC/EC-XLI/2 page GESAMP has undergone extensive reorganization following an independent, in-depth review in A GESAMP Office, currently hosted by IMO, provides an Administrative Secretariat, which is presently responsible for general administration on behalf of all the sponsoring organizations. The Group s activities have experienced significant revitalization after receiving substantial financial support from Sida (Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency). GESAMP Sessions have been reinstated on an annual basis, with UNESCO/IOC hosting the 34th Session (Paris, 8 11 May 2007). GESAMP is participating fully in the Assessment of Assessments (co-led by IOC and UNEP) as the initial step to establishing a Regular Process for Global Reporting and Assessment of the State of the Marine Environment. 39 Whereas other UN agencies, such as IMO and FAO, use GESAMP as a part of their regular scientific advisory mechanism, IOC is currently not leading any GESAMP Working Groups. Under the New GESAMP Mission statement, the Joint Group of Experts is clearly evolving towards a more autonomous body acting with little supervision or guidance from the sponsoring organizations, especially on policy and governance issues. 40 This situation has created severe problems of overlapping areas of action and confusion on the roles and missions of IOC and GESAMP. This can be, exemplified by the fact that representatives of GESAMP lobbied official UN bodies or meetings in an effort to obtain for GESAMP the intergovernmental mandate given to IOC and UNEP by the General Assembly of the UN to lead the establishment of a Regular Process for Global Reporting and Assessment of the State of the Marine Environment. Here, the Governance had been clearly delegated to IOC and UNEP, and GESAMP, as a Group of Experts acting in a personal level, could not perform that function. 41 GESAMP reacted in an autonomous way without having received from sponsors a valid request to emit an opinion on a given subject. This is the case with a recent statement on iron fertilization of the ocean to capture excess CO 2 in the context of Climate Change. IOC has an official policy on this issue that could become easily at variance with statements of this kind that are presented to the general public carrying the logos of the UN and all sponsoring agencies, including IOC s. 42 The new GESAMP mechanism is framed by an updated draft Memorandum of Understanding and Rules of Procedures amongst the co-sponsors, contained in the abovementioned document IOC/INF-1248, and which is subject to the approval of each sponsoring organization. The Executive Council is requested to take note of this document. DECISION 4.1.7: The Executive Council will be invited to: (i) examine and consider the New GESAMP Strategic Vision and to comment on GESAMP achievements as presented by the GESAMP Chairperson; (ii) take note of the proposed updated MoU and Rules of Procedure defining GESAMP s governance; (iii) provide guidance to the Executive Secretary on how to make effective the subsidiary status of GESAMP with respect to its co-sponsors, including IOC; (iv) provide guidance to the Executive Secretary on how could GESAMP better provide scientific support to the programmes of the Commission General Bathymetric Chart of the Oceans (GEBCO) [Rule of Procedure 21.2c] Working documents: IOC/EC-XLI/2 Annex 8 Terms of Reference and Rules of Procedure of the Technical Sub-committee on Ocean Mapping (TSCOM), Sub-committee on Undersea Features Names (SCUFN) and Joint IHO IOC GEBCO Guiding Committee 43 The Chairman of the GEBCO Guiding Committee, Mr. David Monahan, will introduce this item.

17 IOC/EC-XLI/2 page The GEBCO Terms of Reference and Rules of Procedure approved in 1991 were found to be in need of revision so as to allow the GEBCO Guiding Committee to meet the challenges generated by new cartographic technologies and approaches. Pursuant to Resolution EC- XXXVII.5, the International Hydrographic Bureau and the GEBCO Guiding Committee, with the support of the IOC Secretariat, carefully modified the existing GEBCO Terms of References and Rules of Procedure which were approved by the member countries of the International Hydrographic Organization in Since GEBCO is a Joint IHO IOC programme, the revised GEBCO Terms of Reference and Rules of Procedure must be submitted to an IOC Governing Body for consideration and approval. DECISION 4.1.8: The Executive Council will be invited to consider the revised Terms of Reference and Rules and Procedure, for the GEBCO Guiding Committee, as well as for SCUFN and TSCOM. 4.2 UN CONVENTIONS AND AGREEMENTS IOC and the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) [Rule of Procedure 21.2c] Information documents: IOC/INF-1245 IOC AND UNCLOS: Progress Report by the Secretariat on the Law of the Sea ( ) IOC Technical Series, 75 (Law of the Sea Dossier 1) IOC/INF-1222 National Ocean Policy The basic texts from Australia, Brazil, Canada, China, Colombia, Japan, Norway, Portugal, Russian Federation, United States of America Procedure for the Application of Article 247 of the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea by the Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission of UNESCO 45 The IOC Executive Secretary will introduce this item. He will inform the Executive Council on the progress made in the Law of the Sea intersessional activities during , which are reported in Information Document IOC/INF He will also introduce two European Commission publications resulting from EU Actions SI and SI : (i) Procedure for the Application of Article 247 of UNCLOS by IOC; and (ii) National Ocean Policy: basic texts from Australia, Brazil, Canada, China, Colombia, Japan, Norway, Portugal, Russian Federation and the United States of America. 46 A new data base to promote the IOC Criteria and Guidelines on Transfer of Marine Technology was also supported by the European Union. Through this mechanism, any Member State is invited to submit an offer of marine technology to the IOC Secretariat, which will examine it and identify an appropriate recipient institution in an IOC Member State, as well as devising possible cooperation schemes that may optimize the benefits of the expected transfer of technology. 47 The IOC web site now has some new content, such as a compilation of National Legislations on Marine Scientific Research and National Ocean Policies. And the List of Experts on Marine Scientific Research for Use in Special Arbitration has been renewed and sent to relevant international organizations. 48 The Executive Secretary will stress the importance of capacity-building linked to the Law of the Sea, such as the need to promote international standardized procedures for undertaking marine scientific research in waters under national jurisdiction. Several Member States do not have appropriate national procedures for implementing UNCLOS, and the UN Guide (Marine Scientific Research: A Guide to the Implementation of Relevant Provisions of UNCLOS) may be

18 IOC/EC-XLI/2 page 15 of help in this respect; this Guide appears as an Annex to the document IOC/INF-1222: Procedure for the Implementation of Article 247 of UNCLOS by the IOC of UNESCO; it is now being updated by UN/OLA/DOALOS in close cooperation with IOC. 49 The Secretariat has organized technical briefings, in cooperation with UNEP/GRID/ARENDAL, to raise awareness among African Member States of the opportunities for extending the outer limits of their continental shelf, in accordance with Article 76 of UNCLOS, and is ready to provide advice and guidance to them in the preparation of desktop studies to this end. DECISION 4.2.1: The Executive Council will be invited to provide guidance on future action in the field of Law of the Sea to be taken prior to the 25 th Session of the IOC Assembly Follow-up of the Eighth Session of the IOC Advisory Body of Experts on the Law of the Sea (IOC/ABE-LOS VIII) [Res. XXIII-8; Rule of Procedure 21.2a] Reports: IOC/ABE-LOS VIII/3 Report of the Eighth Session of the IOC Advisory Body of Experts on the Law of the Sea, UNESCO, Paris, April The Chairman of the IOC Advisory Body of Experts on the Law of the Sea, Mr Elie Jarmache, will introduce this item. He will inform the Executive Council of the progress made at the Eighth Session of the IOC Advisory Body of Experts on the Law of the Sea, with particular focus on the IOC legal framework within the context of UNCLOS which is applicable to the collection of oceanographic data. He will also bring the attention of the Executive Council to the emerging issues discussed by IOC/ABE-LOS VIII, and will comment on matters that may become of interest to the IOC in the near future. Among the emerging issues is the updating of the document: MSR: A Guide for the implementation of the relevant provisions of UNCLOS, on which, the Commission is closely co-operating with UN/OLA/DOALOS. DECISION 4.2.2: The Executive Council will be invited to: (i) consider developments under ABE-LOS reported by its Chairman; (ii) adopt Draft Resolution EC-XLI.(4.2.2) IOC and the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) [Rule of Procedure 21.2c] 51 Mr Youssef Nassef, Manager of the UNFCCC Adaptation sub-programme will introduce this item. He will present the overall objectives of the UNFCCC and of its Nairobi Work Programme on impacts, vulnerability and adaptation to climate change. 52 The Executive Secretary will report on IOC programmes that are contributing to the achievement of UNFCCC objectives; namely the open-ocean module of GOOS, the WCRP, and the IOC-led UNDP GEF project on Adaptation to Climate Change: responding to coastline change in its human dimensions in West Africa through Integrated Coastal Area Management (ACCC). He will also report on the development of the UNESCO Intersectoral Platform on Climate Change and how the IOC Secretariat is cooperating with other UNESCO sectors in its coordination and implementation. DECISION 4.2.3: The Executive Council will be invited to: (i) consider the contribution of IOC programmes to achieving the objectives of the UNFCCC, with a view to determining whether there is any need to modify the present arrangements, at this stage, and to provide guidance to the Executive Secretary, accordingly; and (ii) reaffirm IOC s intention to continue its close cooperation with the UNFCCC Secretariat.

19 IOC/EC-XLI/2 page IOC and the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) [Rule of Procedure 21.2c] Working documents: IOC/EC-XLI/2 Annex 9 IOC contribution to the programme of work on marine and coastal biodiversity of the Convention on Biological Diversity 53 The Executive Secretary will introduce this item. He will review the past and ongoing contributions of IOC to the achievement of the goals of the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) and its Programme of Work on Marine and Coastal Biodiversity ( ), in relation to the Decisions of the Conference of the Parties to the CBD concerning IOC (Decision II/10; Decision IV, Annex: Programme of Work; Decision VI/3; Decision VII/5). The contributions of IOC, made also in cooperation with other components of UNESCO and within the UN-Oceans mechanism, address the following elements of the CBD Programme of Work: Integrated Marine and Coastal Area Management (IMCAM); Marine and Coastal Living Resources, especially coral reefs; Marine and Coastal Protected Areas; and Invasive Alien Species. Additional contributions sought by the Programme of Work concern the conservation and sustainable use of deep seabed genetic resources beyond national jurisdiction, including through the identification of gaps in legal instruments, guidelines and procedures. IOC is also expected to be invited to participate in the in-depth review of the Programme of Work foreseen for DECISION 4.2.4: The Executive Council will be invited to: (i) review the present scope of the Commission s contributions to achieving the objectives of the Convention on Biodiversity, and the cooperation with the Convention Secretariat; (ii) determine the need, if any, for modifications in this respect. 4.3 ADDRESSING THE IMPACTS OF CLIMATE CHANGE AND VARIABILITY, INCLUDING SEA LEVEL RISE [MLA 2.1] IOC Participation in the International Polar Year and in the International Year of Planet Earth [Res. EC-XXXVII.3; Instr. EC-XXXIX item para. 76; IOC-XXIV, para. 126] Information: WMO/TD No The scope of science of the International Polar Year WMO Bulletin 56 (4) October 2007, Observing the polar oceans during the International Polar Year and beyond (Summerhayes et al.) WMO/TD No IGOS Cryosphere Theme Report 2007 GOOS Report 166 The Southern Ocean Observing System (SOOS) Interim Report 54 The Director of the IPY Project Office, David Carlson, will introduce this item. 55 The IOC Executive Council, at its 37 th Session (Paris, June 2004), by Resolution EC-XXXVII.3, endorsed the IPY. Given this commitment to the successful execution of the International Polar Year (IPY), the Executive Council is required to assess the work done to achieve this objective. The Executive Council, at its 39 th Session (Paris, June 2006), agreed that GOOS, JCOMM and IODE should play active roles in the IPY and urged IOC Member States to provide sufficient resources to implement all the oceanographic proposals in the IPY Plan. The Assembly, at its 24 th Session (Paris, June 2007), decided by Resolution XXIV-7, that GOOS would develop plans and commitments to build and sustain ocean observation networks in the polar regions as a legacy of International Polar Year activities, while taking into account the importance of preservation of these environments. The Assembly at its 24 th Session also called on IODE to collaborate with the International Polar Year to ensure that all data collected by IPY projects will be professionally managed,

20 IOC/EC-XLI/2 page 17 disseminated and archived. Neither the Assembly nor the Executive Council has considered or endorsed IOC participation in the International Year of Planet Earth (IYPE), though UNESCO, through its Science Sector, is the lead agency in this effort. 56 The current UNESCO Programme and Budget, in the relevant Science Sector plans, mentions the IYPE as a vehicle for increasing public awareness of the need for environmentally sound development of the planet. 57 Numerous IOC Member States have contributed substantial funding to ocean research as contributions to IPY. During 2007, EuroGOOS member institutions formed an Arctic Regional Ocean Observing System with the intention of broadening this effort to include all interested IOC Member States, perhaps through tying the effort to ongoing development of a Sustained Arctic Observing Network ( within which, GOOS serves as a member of the Initiating Group (SAON-IG). At the same time, SCAR and SCOR have, with GOOS participation, led an effort to form a Southern Ocean Observing System as an austral legacy of the IPY. 58 At the 24 th Session of the Assembly, in 2007, Member States were informed that the initial efforts of the Secretariat to participate proactively in IPY could not be continued unless dedicated regular or extrabudgetary funding was made available by the Member States for this purpose. As no such funding has been provided, the Secretariat has been unable to play an appropriate leadership role in the important task of defining the sustained systematic observation and data legacies of this enormously productive and successful international year. DECISION 4.3.1: The Executive Council will be invited to: (i) assess the IOC participation in the conduct of the IPY and the development of its potential legacies; (ii) provide the extrabudgetary funding to the IOC Secretariat required to enable proactive leadership in developing sustained legacies of the IPY Report on WMO-IOC Joint Technical Commission for Oceanography and Marine Meteorology (JCOMM) Programme Implementation [Rule of Procedure 21.2c] Information documents: WMO-IOC/ JCOMM-MAN-VI/3 Summary Report of the Sixth Session of the Management Committee of the Joint IOC-WMO Technical Commission for Oceanography and Marine Meteorology (Paris, December 2007) References: 34 C/5 UNESCO Programme and Budget para Res. XXIV-2 (in IOC-XXIV/3 report) IOC Biennial Strategy High Level Objective 2 Mitigation of the impacts of and adaptation to climate change and variability 59 The Co-President of the WMO IOC Technical Commission for Oceanography and Marine Meteorology (JCOMM), Dr Jean-Louis Fellous, will introduce this item. The core business of JCOMM is conducted within its Observations, Services, and Data Management Programme Areas, in which, JCOMM has made progress in the past year, as well as in a number of key cross-cutting issues and by direct involvement in activities within the broader IOC-WMO context. It has also worked to align its implementation and operating plans with the strategic objectives and expected results of IOC and WMO. Significant results and ongoing activities include: (i) Identification of key results and decisions in all programme and cross-cutting areas, for presentation to JCOMM-III in 2009

21 IOC/EC-XLI/2 page 18 (ii) Finalization of a detailed JCOMM capacity-building strategy, which identifies the key strategic goals for JCOMM CB, as well as the means for achieving these (iii) Finalization of the Implementation Plan, now re-named the JCOMM Operating Plan, and the provision of JCOMM input to the overall reporting to the Executive Councils of IOC and WMO on the implementation of the respective Organizations strategic plans (iv) Development of the rationale, structure and methodology for preparing a JCOMM virtual (web-based) handbook on standards and best practices; this will: (a) provide an easy access reference book and guide to all the existing material relating to standards and best practices prepared under JCOMM and its predecessors, covering observations, data management and services; (b) allow for the identification of gaps in such material; and (c) facilitate input to WMO Quality Management Framework (QMF) and ISO accreditation (v) Support for the IPY and its legacy, including the proposed integrated Arctic Ocean Observing System (iaoos) and the Southern Ocean Observing System (SOOS) (vi) Progress in the establishment of an Observing Programme Support Centre, to incorporate the existing highly regarded JCOMMOPS (vii) Organization and conduct of the successful Scientific and Technical Symposium on Storm Surges, hosted by the Korean Government (Seoul, Republic of Korea, 2 6 October 2007) (viii) Significant joint work with IODE on End-to-end data management, an ocean data portal and the development of oceanographic data management and exchange standards. 60 The WMO Executive Council, which will meet in Geneva, June 2008, will consider, and is expected to recommend, the commissioning of a study on the future role and structure of JCOMM; this study should advise on the terms of reference and working mechanisms of JCOMM. As a joint subsidiary body of WMO and IOC, the proposed review of JCOMM should also be undertaken jointly, taking into account, however, the fact that regular budget resources are not at present available to support this study. DECISION 4.3.2: The Executive Council will be invited to: (i) urge Member States to commit sufficient national resources, both direct and in-kind, to allow the full implementation of approved JCOMM activities; (ii) urge Member States to commit sufficient resources and staff to the WMO IOC JCOMM Secretariat through regular budget, extrabudgetary contributions and staff secondments; (iii) consider commissioning a study, with WMO, to advise on the future role and structure of JCOMM and make recommendations on how to improve the cost-effectiveness of the meetings of the Joint Commission and of its subsidiary working structure; (iv) work with the Secretary-General of WMO to strengthen the implementation of JCOMM activities to address the strategic objectives and expected results of the two Organizations in this field of endeavour; (v) request the Executive Secretary to organize this study in close coordination and collaboration with WMO, with a view to completing it and publishing its results in a timely manner before the next session of JCOMM (in 2009); (vi) urge Member States to contribute the extrabudgetary resources necessary to carry out the study Report on Global Ocean Observing System (GOOS) Programme Implementation [Rule of Procedure 21.2c] Information: IOC-WMO-UNEP/I-GOOS Board-III/3 (GOOS report 163) Report of the Third Report of the Executive Board of the IOC-WMO-UNEP Intergovernmental Committee for the Global Ocean Observing System

22 IOC/EC-XLI/2 page 19 IOC-WMO-UNEP/I-GOOS Board-IV/3 (GOOS report 167) IOC-WMO-ICSU/I-GOOS- VIII/3 (GOOS report 165) Report of the Fourth Session of the Executive Board of the IOC-WMO-UNEP Intergovernmental Committee for the Global Ocean Observing System Report of the Eighth Session of the IOC Intergovernmental Committee for the Global Ocean Observing System, Paris, June The Chairman of the Intergovernmental Committee for GOOS, François Gérard, will introduce this item. He will report on the results and recommendations of the Eighth Session of the I-GOOS (Paris, June 2007), of the Eleventh Session of the GOOS Scientific Steering Committee (Paris, 8 10 April 2008), and of the Fourth Session of the I-GOOS Board (Paris, 11 April 2008). 62 During the biennium the GOOS has deployed the 3,000 th Argo float and (as of January 2008) thus completed 58% of the open-ocean observing system planned for completion by Therefore, the initial goals of GOOS are being met, but at a slower rate than originally planned, and timely completion of the 2012 target goals now appears not to be plausible. The goal of identifying and committing sustained funding for the system has not been achieved. 63 The Assembly, at its 24th Session (Paris, June 2007), emphasized the fact that the current funding mechanisms for GOOS, using short-term research programme funding and indefinitely extended pilot projects, will not create the sustained observation system needed to reach GOOS s 2012 operational goals, nor fulfil the mandate for an operational ocean observing system set forth in the UNESCO/IOC Medium-term Strategy ( ). 64 Also during the biennium, the I-GOOS Board emphasized the importance of developing the Coastal Module of GOOS. The GOOS Scientific Steering Committee was reorganized so as to enable the creation of a Panel on the Implementation of Coastal Observations. I-GOOS VIII recognized twelve GOOS Regional Alliances (EuroGOOS, MedGOOS, Black Sea GOOS, NEAR GOOS, Pacific Islands GOOS, Indian Ocean GOOS, IOCARIBE GOOS, GOOS-Africa, US GOOS, SEA GOOS, OCEATLAN, and a GRA for the Southeast Pacific). The I-GOOS Board also moved towards the establishment of an Arctic GOOS Regional Alliance through I-GOOS s involvement with the EuroGOOS Arctic Regional Ocean Observing System and the Sustained Arctic Observing Network Initiating Group (SAON- IG). 65 In September 2008 the SCOR IAPSO Scientific Working Group 127 on Thermodynamics and Equation of State of Seawater will complete its work and a peer-reviewed update to the thermodynamic potential of standard seawater will be available to the oceanographic community for the first time since the currently used UNESCO standard (Fofonoff and Millard, UNESCO 1983: Algorithms for computation of fundamental properties of seawater, UNESCO technical papers in marine science, 44) was universally adopted. The 25 th Session of the IOC Assembly (scheduled for 2009) will provide an opportunity to renew IOC s role as an international standard-setting body for oceanography, and for its 137 Member States to formally resolve to adopt the new standard. DECISION 4.3.3: The Executive Council will be invited to: (i) consider the report on GOOS Implementation; (ii) decide the support required for the effective implementation of the Global Module of GOOS to enable it to reach its initial design specification by the goal date 2012; (iii) urge Member States to support coastal and regional activities through increased extrabudgetary funding, so as to ensure effective action by the GOOS Regional Alliances and the IOC Secretariat, with a view to achieving the IOC goals for GOOS; (iv) commit the IOC to working with the SCOR IAPSO Scientific Working Group 127 with a view to presenting to the Assembly, at its 25 th Session, the new Equation of State of Seawater, and to inviting the Assembly to adopt

23 IOC/EC-XLI/2 page 20 a Resolution to formally adopt this new standard; and (v) increase extrabudgetary funding to the IOC Secretariat to enable it to carry out the agreed activities necessary to achieve GOOS goals Interaction with the WMO ICSU IOC World Climate Research Programme (WCRP) [Rule of Procedure 21.2c] 66 The Director of the WMO IOC ICSU World Climate Research Programme (WCRP), Dr Ghassem Asrar, will introduce this item. He will provide a report of the WCRP s progress and its contributions to the achievement of the IOC High-Level Objectives and to the UNESCO Intersectoral Platform on Climate Change. 67 The Assembly, at its 24th Session (Paris, June 2007), reaffirmed its commitment to continue as a sponsor of the WCRP, and instructed the Executive Secretary to maintain a strong level of involvement in the provision of scientific guidance to the WCRP. It called on the Executive Secretary to continue support at the level of US$ 125,000 per annum, ideally through Regular Budget, and to report to the Executive Council at its 41st Session on the specific measures, within the operational plans for the Secretariat, to meet this commitment. The Executive Secretary will report on these specific measures to meet IOC s commitment. 68 A member of the ongoing ICSU WMO IOC IGFA Review of the WCRP will make a short presentation on the conduct and preliminary findings of the Review. DECISION 4.3.4: The Executive Council will be invited to: (i) take note of the specific measures, including a financial solution, proposed by the Executive Secretary to meet IOC s commitment to the WCRP; (ii) provide specific guidance on the work programme of the WCRP; (iii) comment on the ongoing WCRP Review; and (iv) request the Assembly, at its 25th Session in 2009, to assess the outcomes of the WCRP Review in terms of its implications for the Commission Report on the IMO London Convention Scientific Group Meeting on Ocean Iron Fertilization [Rule of Procedure 21.2c] Information: IOC/INF-1247 Report of the ad hoc Consultative Group on Ocean Fertilization 69 IOC Programme Specialist in the Ocean Sciences Section, Dr Maria Hood, will introduce this item. Given the prominence and impact of the IPCC Assessment Report 4, the successful positioning by the UN of the Climate Change issue at the top of the international agenda, and in view of the ongoing negotiations for a post-2012 agreement on the Climate Change regime under UNFCCC, ocean iron fertilization has received renewed attention. 70 The Scientific Group of the International Maritime Organization s Convention on the Prevention of Marine Pollution by Dumping of Wastes and Other Matter (1972) and its 1996 Protocol (also known as the London Convention ) requested scientific and technical input from the IOC on the issue of ocean iron fertilization aimed at sequestering atmospheric CO 2, to be presented at the 31 st Session of the London Convention Scientific Group (Guayaquil, Ecuador, May 2008). This input will be considered by a new working group of the London Convention Scientific Group in order to determine the implications for the protection of the marine environment from ocean fertilization and to provide a scientific and technical basis for evaluating such activities. 71 The IOC Assembly, at its 21 st Session (Paris, 3 13 July 2001), noted that the issue of ocean CO 2 sequestration was important for the IOC, and it cautioned about the implications of

24 IOC/EC-XLI/2 page 21 direct involvement of the IOC in matters that might be counter to the London Convention without further discussion among the Member States. The Assembly agreed that the IOC should continue monitoring developments in ocean CO 2 sequestration, and to maintain a watching brief on the environmental and scientific implications for Member States. 72 From its Terms of Reference adopted by the IOC Assembly at its 23 rd Session (Paris, June 2005), the International Ocean Carbon Coordination Project (IOCCP) has a mandate to provide ready expertise to the IOC on issues of ocean carbon sequestration. Under the authority of the Executive Secretary and the guidance of the IOCCP Chairperson, an ad hoc Consultative Group was created consisting of five scientists currently active in ocean fertilization research and modelling. This Group drafted a report in response to a series of scientific and technical questions posed by the London Convention Scientific Group, and the Chairperson of the Consultative Group attended the London Convention Scientific Group meeting. The Consultative Group s report is given in document IOC/INF In view of these developments, the Executive Council might wish to give further guidance to the Executive Secretary on these matters. DECISION 4.3.5: The Executive Council will be invited to provide the Executive Secretary with any guidance it deems desirable to enable him to pursue the development of sound and unbiased scientific advice to support the London Convention Scientific Group s work on ocean fertilization as requested, as well as any other general guidance with respect to this issue and to report on developments and environmental implications of ocean CO 2 sequestration to the Member States. 4.4 SAFEGUARDING MARINE ECOSYSTEM HEALTH AND INTEGRATED MANAGEMENT [MLA 2.2] Regular Process for Global Reporting and Assessment of the State of the Marine Environment, including Socio-Economic Aspects [Rule of Procedure 21.2c] References: United Nations Document GRAME/GOE/3 United Nations Document A/RES/62/215 United Nations Document A/RES/60/30 Report of the Third Meeting of the Group of Experts for the Start-up Phase, Assessment of Assessments of the Regular Process for the Global Reporting and Assessment of the State of the Marine Environment, including Socio- Economic Aspects Resolution 62/215 of the General Assembly on Oceans and Law of the Sea UNGA Resolution on Oceans and the Law of the Sea 74 The Executive Secretary will introduce this item. He will recall IOC s commitment to playing an active role in the establishment of the Regular Process for Global Reporting and Assessment of the State of the Marine Environment, including Socio-Economic Aspects (UNGA Resolution 60/30 Regular Process) and the steps taken by the Commission in this respect. 75 In conformity with UN Resolution 60/30, IOC and UNEP have jointly initiated the Assessment of Assessments (AoA), which is also being implemented in collaboration with other UN agencies and institutions, such as FAO, IMO, WMO and the International Seabed Authority (ISA). 76 Four meetings of the AoA Group of Experts were organized during the period Two additional meetings are scheduled, leading to a peer-reviewed report in June 2009 to be

25 IOC/EC-XLI/2 page 22 submitted to the Ad Hoc Steering Committee, for transmission to the UN General Assembly in the autumn of The report should contain an introduction (Part 0), to establish the context of AoA, followed by three other parts: Part 1: The state of the assessment landscape for oceans and coasts, containing a regional overview and assessment of existing ocean and coastal area assessments; Part 2: Evaluations of assessments, which should analyse the current assessment landscape through a lens of five major criteria groups in order to distil elements of best practice; Part 3: Framework and options for a regular process for the global reporting and assessment of the state of the marine environment, including socio-economic aspects, presenting a proposed approach to providing a framework and options for the Regular Process itself. Parts 0, 1 and 2 of the AoA report are presently being peer-reviewed. 78 Supporting activities include: the establishment of a functional on-line virtual office to facilitate the exchange of resources among the members of the Group of Experts; a website ( to inform Member States on the progress of this project; and the publication of a dedicated brochure. Moreover, an interactive on-line data base ( has been developed in cooperation with UNEP WCMC, to allow users to search through the assessments and activities related to the marine environment. 79 UNGA Resolution 62/215 (December 2007), on Oceans and the Law of the Sea, included decisions on the Regular Process (Chapter XII) and, among other things, invited Member States, the Global Environment Facility and other interested parties to contribute financially to the Assessment of Assessments, taking into account the work plan and budget approved by the Ad Hoc Steering Group, in order to complete the Assessment of Assessments within the specified period. So far, financial support from some Member States, such as Belgium, Canada, The Netherlands, Norway, the Republic of Korea and the United States of America, has been received by both IOC and UNEP. However, additional resources will be needed in order to complete the AoA report and in particular to cover the cost of translation and publication. 80 Resources constitute a prerequisite for the implementation of the UNGA Resolution 62/215 and of the AoA. To meet their agreed obligations in this respect, IOC and UNEP are fully dependent on extrabudgetary contributions. Both are working hard to mobilize the financial and human resources necessary, in line with UNGA Resolution 60/30 which states that the AoA should be financed through voluntary contributions and other resources available to participating organizations and bodies, and invites Member States in a position to do so to make contributions. DECISION 4.4.1: The Executive Council will be invited to: (i) provide guidance to the Executive Secretary on further measures to be taken to ensure the IOC s continued full involvement and leadership role in the Regular Process; (ii) determine possible means of support for the implementation of the Assessment of Assessments through voluntary contributions Interaction with the Census of Marine Life (CoML) and Other Research Programmes on Marine Biodiversity [Rule of Procedure 21.2c] Information IOC/INF-1250 Interaction with the Census of Marine Life (CoML) and Other Research Programmes on Marine Biodiversity 81 The Executive Secretary will introduce this item and provide a report on the ongoing interaction with the Census of Marine Life (CoML) and other research initiatives relating to marine biodiversity. The CoML is a 10-year scientific initiative to assess and explain the diversity, distribution, and abundance of life in the oceans. It builds on a set of seventeen international projects that conduct research and analysis of six ocean realms. The Census will

26 IOC/EC-XLI/2 page 23 deliver its final report in October 2010 presenting an unprecedented picture of the distribution and abundance of marine species in the world s oceans. Building on Resolution XXIII-3 (Census of Marine Life), the Commission has strengthened its collaboration mainly through GOOS, IODE and HAB with some of the major programmatic elements of the Census, specifically: (i) the Ocean Tracking Network (OTN), a large-scale global initiative that comprehensively monitors ocean conditions and marine life response to these conditions and is affiliated as a GOOS pilot project; and (ii) the Ocean Biogeographic Information System (OBIS) initiative which is the information and data component of the Census, built on a strategic alliance of people and organizations sharing a vision to make marine biogeographic data, from all over the world, freely available over the World Wide Web. 82 With the foreseen termination of the CoML in 2010, it is important for the benefit of the international community to give continuity to some of its core projects such as OBIS and OTN. At the first meeting of the OBIS Governing Board (Rome, April 2008) attended by the Executive Secretary, IOC offered to provide an institutional framework for the continuation of OBIS, either through the development of a partnership or a dedicated extrabudgetary project that would allow for the institutional hosting of OBIS, possibly at the IODE Project Office in Ostend or at other location to be identified. Whilst the offer was welcomed by the OBIS Governing Board, this partnership should be further elaborated during the intersessional period and a business model should be presented to the Assembly for consideration at its 25th Session in The Executive Secretary will also report on other marine biodiversity initiative in particular the revitalized linkages with DIVERSITAS a programme on Integrated Biodiversity Science cosponsored by UNESCO, ICSU, IUBS and SCOPE, which has established a new marine diversity component addressing marine microbial biodiversity; marine coastal biodiversity; conservation and sustainable use of marine biodiversity in the areas beyond national jurisdiction; and the Diversitas Marine Crosscutting Network. 84 The Executive Secretary will highlight the work undertaken by the Expert Group on Global Open Oceans and Deep Seabed (GOODS) biogeographic classification, co-sponsored by IOC, UNESCO, Mexico, Canada, Australia and IUCN, which represents a major step in consolidating efforts at developing a comprehensive biogeographic classification of open-ocean and deepseabed areas beyond national jurisdiction. The GOODS Report has been peer-reviewed and has been submitted to the Conference of the Parties of the CBD. GOODS achievements have also been presented to the second meeting of the UN Ad Hoc Open-ended Informal Working Group to study issues relating to the conservation and sustainable use of marine biological diversity beyond areas of national jurisdiction (UN Headquarters, New York, 28 April 2 May 2008). DECISION 4.4.2: The Executive Council will be invited to: (i) provide guidance to the Executive Secretary on (a) the role of IOC in the sponsoring and coordination of international science programmes addressing marine biodiversity especially in the context of the monitoring of the large-scale biomes of the open ocean and the coastal large marine ecosystems, and (b) in better defining the role that IOC can play in support of CoML programmes, such as OBIS; (ii) request the Executive Secretary to conduct the necessary consultations with other international organizations, programmes and experts, to ensure that IOC s activities do not entail a duplication of effort; (iii) consider this area of work as a possible main priority in the formulation of the Draft IOC Programme and Budget for to be submitted by the Executive Secretary to the Assembly at its 25 th Session, bearing in mind the existing financial and human capacity of the Secretariat. [If adopted by the Executive Council, a new agenda item, Integrated Coastal Research, will be taken here; see also documents IOC/EC-XLI/2 Add. and IOC/INF-1249]

27 IOC/EC-XLI/2 page CAPACITY-BUILDING, DATA AND INFORMATION SERVICES AND PROCEDURES FOR MARINE SCIENTIFIC RESEARCH [MLA 2.3] Report on the International Oceanographic Data and Information Exchange (IODE) Programme [Rule of Procedure 21.2c] Information: IOC/INF-1145 IODE Officers Meeting Summary Report IOC Workshop Report, 206 IODE/JCOMM Forum on Oceanographic Data Management and Exchange Standards 85 The Co-Chairman of IODE, Mr Greg Reed, will introduce this item. The objective of the First Session of the IODE JCOMM Forum on Oceanographic Data Management and Exchange Standards (IOC Project Office for IODE, Ostend, January 2008) was to reach a general agreement on and a commitment to adopting key standards related to ocean data management, so as to facilitate exchange between oceanographic institutions. Standards discussed at the Forum included: (i) metadata; (ii) ontology resources; (iii) data and time; (iv) latitude and longitude; (v) country codes; (vi) platforms; (vii) quality control; and (viii) vocabularies. It was agreed that the process to adopt and formally publish proposed standards should include exposure to the wider community for comment. An ad hoc Steering Team was established to manage and implement the agreed work plan. The Forum recommended that the task of continuing the development of standards and managing the standards process should be assigned to the IODE JCOMM ETDMP. 86 The IOC Strategic Plan for Oceanographic Data and Information Management ( ), adopted by the IOC Assembly at its 24th Session (Paris, June 2007), established an IOC Data and Information Management Advisory Group to provide the governance to implement the Strategy. The First Session of the Management Advisory Group is planned for the third quarter of IODE is now a partner in the JCOMM Pilot Project for the WMO Integrated Global Observing System (WIGOS). The aim of the WIGOS Pilot Project is to promote and develop integration of marine and other appropriate observations into the global observing system through three core deliverables: (i) integration of instrument best practices; (ii) development of interoperable arrangements between the ocean data systems and the WMO Information System (WIS); and (iii) the integration of quality-management systems. The interoperability between the IODE Ocean Data Portal (ODP) and the WIS will be addressed by the pilot project, which will ensure access to data from the ocean community. Development of standards and their wide acceptance within the meteorological and oceanographic communities is also an important activity that will be addressed by the Pilot Project, and this links naturally with the development of the IODE JCOMM standards process. 88 The IODE continues to implement the Ocean Data and Information Network (ODIN) strategy. The ODINAFRICA-III project concludes in 2008 and a proposal for the next phase is in preparation and will be submitted for funding later this year. This new phase of the project will focus on networking activities and the development of regional products, such as common catalogues and directories integrating global standards and controlled vocabularies, to provide access to available marine data and products for Africa. 89 Two marine atlas projects are in progress. The African Marine Atlas ( integrates geo-referenced data sets available in the public domain with multidisciplinary data sets developed and maintained by the African NODCs. The Caribbean Marine Atlas Pilot Project ( a joint initiative of nine countries in the Caribbean region (Barbados, Cuba, Dominica, Grenada, Guyana, Jamaica, Saint Lucia, Trinidad and Tobago, Turks and Caicos Islands) will identify, collect and organize available geo-spatial data sets into an atlas of environmental themes for the Caribbean region,

28 IOC/EC-XLI/2 page 25 as a support service to the sustainable development and integrated management of marine and coastal areas in the region. The Pilot Project has a duration of 14 months (October 2007 December 2008). DECISION 4.5.1: The Executive Council will be invited to comment on this report Report on Implementation of the IOC Capacity-Development Activities [Rule of Procedure No. 21.2c] References: IOC/INF-1211 IOC Principles and Strategy for Capacity-building IOC/INF-1212 Implementation plan for IOC Capacity-building 90 The Director of the Acuario Nacional de Cuba, Dr Guillermo Garcia, will introduce this item. He will report on the implementation of the first phase of the Capacity-development Programme during , pursuant to Resolutions XXIII-10 and XXIII-11. Extrabudgetary funding from Sida enabled implementation of the programme, but this funding will end in December Therefore, implementation of the second phase is significantly endangered. Activities supported under the Regular Programme budget, namely Training-Through-Research and UNESCO IOC Chairs, will also be reported. 91 The Capacity-Development Section contributed to: 33 C/5 High-level objectives of Main Line of Action 3 calling for strengthening the capacity of Member States in marine science and operational capabilities so as to enable them to ensure improved governance of the open and coastal ocean for its sustainable use 34 C/5 High-level objectives of Main Line of Action 2 on Oceans and coastal zones: improving governance and fostering intergovernmental cooperation through ocean sciences and services. To a lesser extent it also contributed to Main Line of Action 3 on Promoting science, knowledge and education for disaster preparedness and mitigation, and enhancing national and regional coping capacities, including through support for the development of risk-reduction networks and monitoring and assessment measures, such as tsunami early warning systems, through raising awareness on preparedness and mitigation. 92 In strengthening national institutes, as the way by which Member States could improve governance in their coastal spaces, three levels in institutes were addressed: (i) directors of concerned institutions; (ii) project managers; and (iii) bench-level scientists, through, respectively, the organization of workshops on advanced leadership, proposal writing, and training on decision-support tools and team-work. 93 Self-financed attendance at workshops has proven an important performance indicator of the ownership and relevance in which the strategy of self-driven capacity-development is held in the Member States. At the last workshop for leaders in East Africa (Accra, 1 3 October 2007), for example, over 90% of participants obtained travel funds on their own initiative. Training workshops and proposal-writing workshops in East Africa had even higher self-financing percentages. All advantage gained by the programme to date would, however, be lost if such an effort ceased before the introduction of the necessary subsequent stages. 94 Having established that self-driven capacity-development is a viable means of rapidly building capacity, and based on the learning from the first phase, the Executive Secretary proposes to initiate a second phase with the following elements: (i) identification of a number of

29 IOC/EC-XLI/2 page 26 the most responsive institutes and working with them; (ii) ensuring that the appropriate ministries are engaged and committed to supporting and relying on their institutes to provide a sound scientific basis for dealing with important national marine issues; (iii) assisting institutes to raise the awareness of coastal communities with a view to providing useful science-based services for sustainable development; (iv) fostering regional science associations to act as catalysers for research and the dissemination of its results; (v) identification of mechanisms that will, where possible, foster local human-resource trainers, so that regular leadership training can be made regionally available; (vi) assisting institutes of higher learning, using, as a guideline, the UNESCO initiative of engaging with industry, and acting as incubators of responsible and independent entities for applied research; and (vii) increasing the depth and spread of training in the use of: decision-support tools for modelling; geographical information systems, and remote sensing. DECISION 4.5.2: The Executive Council will be invited to decide the importance and necessity of a second phase of the Commission s Capacity-development Programme and, if found appropriate, (ii) call on Member States to provide extrabudgetary support for its implementation. 4.6 MITIGATING THE IMPACTS OF TSUNAMIS AND OTHER MARINE HAZARDS [MLA 3.1] Follow-up of the Fifth Session of the IOC Intergovernmental Coordination Group for the Indian Ocean Tsunami Warning and Mitigation System (ICG/IOTWS) [Rule of Procedure 21.2c] Reports: ICG/IOTWS-V/3s Executive Summary of the Fifth Session of the Intergovernmental Coordination Group for the Indian Ocean Tsunami Warning and Mitigation System (ICG/IOTWS-V), Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, 8 10 April 2008 Information: IOC Technical Series, 77 Survey of Member States Response to 12 September 2007 Indian Ocean Tsunami Event IOC Technical Series 71 (updated online) Indian Ocean Tsunami Warning and Mitigation System, IOTWS. Implementation Plan, March The Chairman of the IOC International Co-ordination Group for the Indian Ocean Tsunami Warning and Mitigation System (ICG/IOTWS), Dr Jan Sopaheluwakan, will introduce this item. By Resolution XXIII-12, the IOC Assembly decided to create an Indian Ocean Tsunami Warning and Mitigation System (IOTWS) and to establish an Intergovernmental Coordination Group for this System. As a primary subsidiary body of the IOC, the ICG is required (pursuant to Rule of Procedure 48.3) to report on its work to a Governing Body. 96 The IOTWS is designed as an end-to-end warning system: from earthquake and tsunami detection at the upstream end of the system, to threat evaluation and warning dissemination, and raising community awareness and response, at the downstream end. 97 During the 5th Session of the ICG (Putrajaya, Malaysia, 8 10 April 2008) the Task Team on an interoperable system of Regional Tsunami Watch Providers (RTWP) presented its RTWP Implementation Plan. The main focus of the session was on the future network and operation of RTWPs for the Indian Ocean and the meeting recognized the willingness of Australia, India, Indonesia, Iran, Malaysia, Thailand and ADPC to commence the transition to becoming RTWPs, with India ready to commence operations in June 2008, followed by Australia in July 2008, Indonesia in November 2008, and the others according to the RTWP Implementation Plan. The transition from the interim advisory service currently provided by the Pacific Tsunami Warning

30 IOC/EC-XLI/2 page 27 Centre (PTWC) in Hawaii and the Japan Meteorological Agency (JMA) is expected to be completed by the end of The ICG adopted the RTWP Implementation Plan and made six Recommendations to the Executive Council for consideration at its 41st Session. DECISION 4.6.1: The Executive Council will be invited to: (i) consider the Decisions and Recommendations of the ICG/IOTWS on the implementation of an Indian Ocean Tsunami Warning and Mitigation System; (ii) provide guidance and support to the ICG/IOTWS on further measures to enhance the performance of the System; (iii) express the Commission s appreciation to Malaysia for having hosted the 5 th Session of the ICG/IOTWS Follow-up of the Fourth Session of the IOC Intergovernmental Coordination Group for the Tsunami Early Warning and Mitigation System in the North-eastern Atlantic, the Mediterranean and Connected Seas (ICG/NEAMTWS) [Rule of Procedure 21.2c] Reports: ICG/NEAMTWS-IV/3s Executive Summary of the Fourth Session of the Intergovernmental Coordination Group for the Tsunami Early Warning and Mitigation System in the North Eastern Atlantic, the Mediterranean and Connected Seas (ICG/NEAMTWS-IV), Lisbon, Portugal, November 2007 Information: IOC Technical Series 73 (updated online) Implementation Plan for the Tsunami Early Warning and Mitigation System in the North-Eastern Atlantic, the Mediterranean and Connected Seas (NEAMTWS), The Chairman of the Intergovernmental Coordination Group for the Tsunami Early Warning and Mitigation System in the North-Eastern Atlantic, the Mediterranean and Connected Seas (ICG/NEAMTWS), Professor Stefano Tinti, will introduce this item. In accordance with its Terms of Reference (Resolution XXIII-14) ICG/NEAMTWS reports to the Assembly or the Executive Council on its behalf. 100 The ICG/NEAMTWS establishment and development is linked to the UNESCO 34 C/5 Programme and Budget through the Expected Result "Risks from tsunami and other oceanrelated hazards reduced through early warning systems and preparedness and mitigation measures". It also responds to the IOC High-Level Objective 1 for , namely "Prevention and reduction of the impacts of natural hazards". 101 The Intergovernmental Coordination Group for the Tsunami Early Warning and Mitigation System in the North-Eastern Atlantic, the Mediterranean and Connected Seas, at its 4th Session (ICG/NEAMTWS-IV, Lisbon, Portugal, November 2007) reviewed the progress made during the intersessional period from January 2007 to November The four intersessional Working Groups ((i) Hazard and Risk Assessment and Modelling; (ii) Seismic and Geophysical Measurements; (iii) Sea Level Measurements; and (iv) Advisory, Mitigation and Public Awareness) each met in the intersessional period and during the ICG s Fourth Session, to which they each submitted summary reports on their activities. 102 Assessment missions on national tsunami-warning capacity were undertaken to Ireland (July 2007) and Algeria (October 2007). The European Commission expressed its interest in supporting the coordination function of ICG/NEAMTWS, especially within the framework of the European Floods directive.

31 IOC/EC-XLI/2 page The ICG confirmed Prof. Stefano Tinti (Italy) as its Chairman by acclamation, and Prof. Gerassimos Papadopoulos (Greece) and Prof. Maria Anna Baptista (Portugal) were elected as Vice-Chairpersons for the next two-year period. The ICG urged the Member States to nominate National Tsunami Warning Focal Points (TWFP) and Tsunami National Contacts (TNC) and to consider hosting a Tsunami Information Centre (TIC) for the NEAM region and to make available extrabudgetary contributions to support the work of the Tsunami Co-ordination Unit. 104 The ICG established an ad hoc Task Team to look into a regional architecture of Tsunami Watch Centres. The Task Team, at its first meeting (Paris, January 2008), agreed that there was a need to: (i) harmonize the tsunami warning nomenclature among regions; and (ii) initiate a pilot warning system as soon as possible using existing resources, recognizing that substantial additional funds/commitments will be required in the near future to set up a fully fledged TWS for the region. 105 The ICG decided to harmonize methods, and eventually software, among Regional Tsunami Watch Centres. It welcomed the initiative of the Working Group on Seismic and Geophysical Measurements, and that of Germany, to provide all available real-time seismic data as well as the SeisComp3 software to Regional Tsunami Watch Centres (RTWC), in the coming months for the interim NEAMTWS. 106 The ICG decided to organize its Fifth Session in October 2008 and accepted the offer of Greece to host it. DECISION 4.6.2: The Executive Council will be invited to: (i) consider the Decisions and Recommendations of the ICG/NEAMTWS arising from its 4th Session and, in particular, its request to Member States to nominate TWFP and TNC; (ii) provide guidance and support to the ICG on further measures to ensure a timely implementation of the System; (iii) express its appreciation to Portugal for having hosted the 4th Session of the ICG/NEAMTWS and to Greece for its offer to host the 5th Session of ICG/NEAMTWS Follow-up of the Third Session of the IOC Intergovernmental Coordination Group for Tsunami and Other Coastal Hazards Warning System for the Caribbean and Adjacent Regions (ICG/CARIBE-EWS) [Rule of Procedure 21.2c] Reports: ICG/CARIBE-EWS III/3s Executive Summary of the Third Session of the Intergovernmental Coordination Group for the Tsunami and other Coastal Hazards Warning System for the Caribbean Sea and Adjacent Regions (ICG/CARIBE EWS-III), Panama City, Panama, March 2008 Information: IOC Technical Series 78 Tsunami and other Coastal Hazards Warning System for the Caribbean and Adjacent Regions Implementation plan The newly elected Chairman of the Intergovernmental Coordination Group for the Tsunami and other Coastal Hazards Warning System for the Caribbean Sea and Adjacent Regions (ICG/CARIBE EWS), Mrs Lorna Iniss (Barbados), will introduce this item. The 3rd Session of the Intergovernmental Coordination Group (ICG/CARIBE EWS-III) was held in Panama City, Panama, March The establishment and development of ICG/CARIBE EWS is linked to the UNESCO 34 C/5 Programme and Budget through Expected Result "Risks from tsunami and other oceanrelated hazards reduced through early warning systems and preparedness and mitigation measures". It also responds to the IOC High-Level Objective 1 for , namely "Prevention and reduction of the impacts of natural hazards". In particular, ICG/CARIBE EWS-III accepted a core network of seismic stations and a core network of sea level stations for tsunami

32 IOC/EC-XLI/2 page 29 monitoring, defined by its Working Group (1) on Monitoring and Detection Systems and Warning Guidance. It agreed that data from the core network of seismic stations will be freely and openly available to the national, regional and tsunami warning centres for the timely production of tsunami and other early-warning information. However, the ICG noted gaps in the sea level network and agreed that contributions from Member States and other donors are required to cover these gaps. The ICG agreed to convene a meeting of experts to produce a compilation of best practices on preparedness, readiness and resilience at the community level, for tsunami and other coastal hazards; the meeting is planned for Panama in July 2008, with the support of UNESCO/IOC, USAID/OFDA and UN/ISDR. The ICG instructed its Working Group 1 to identify and present the technical, logistical and administrative requirements of a Regional Tsunami Warning Centre, taking into account the discussions at ICG-III and considering the work and documentation provided for other Tsunami Warning Systems on defining these operational requirements. Working Group 1 was instructed to report to ICG Officers no later than 30 June 2008 for subsequent submission by the Executive Secretary to Member States for their comments, with a view to establishing a Caribbean Tsunami Warning Centre in the region at least by The ICG took note of the kind offer of France to host its 4th Session, in March 2009, and decided to target March 2010 for the 5th Session, bearing in mind the interest expressed by Cuba in hosting that session. DECISION 4.6.3: The Executive Council will be invited to: (i) consider the Recommendations of the ICG/CARIBE EWS-III; (ii) provide guidance and support to the ICG on further measures to ensure the timely implementation of the system; (iii) express its appreciation to the Government of Panama for having hosted the Third Session of the ICG, and to the Government of France for its offer to host the Fourth Session of the ICG Follow-up of the Twenty-Second Session of the IOC Intergovernmental Coordination Group for the Tsunami Early Warning and Mitigation System in the Pacific (ICG/PTWS) [Rule of Procedure 21.2c] Reports: ICG/PTWS-XXII/3s Summary Report of the Twenty-second Session of the Intergovernmental Coordination Group for the Pacific Tsunami Warning and Mitigation System, Guayaquil, Ecuador, September The newly elected Vice-Chairman of the Intergovernmental Coordination Group for the Pacific Tsunami Warning and Mitigation System (ICG/PTWS), Mr Giorgio de la Torre (Ecuador), will introduce this item. 111 The ICG/PTWS establishment and development is linked to the 34 C/5 Programme and Budget through result "Risks from tsunami and other ocean-related hazards reduced through early warning systems and preparedness and mitigation measures". It also responds to the IOC High-level objective 1 for , namely "Prevention and reduction of the impacts of natural hazards". 112 The 22nd Session of the Intergovernmental Coordination Group for the Pacific Tsunami Warning and Mitigation System (ICG/PTWS) was held in Guayaquil, Ecuador, September 2007 under the Session Chairmanship of Dr Francois Schindelé, Past Chairman of the ICG/PTWS. It was attended by 45 participants from 19 ICG/PTWS Member States, Officers from the ICG/CARIBE EWS, ICG/IOTWS, and ICG/NEAMTWS, representatives from four organizations, and observers. 113 The ICG reviewed progress during the inter-sessional period from May 2006 to September 2007 as reported by Working Groups in the areas of seismological and sea level monitoring and

33 IOC/EC-XLI/2 page 30 evaluation, hazard identification, emergency management and resilience, and interoperable systems, and subregionally in the Southwestern Pacific and on the Pacific coast of Central America. The ICG reviewed the report by the Task Team on Messages and its proposed changes to improve the clarity and timeliness of the PTWC messages, and discussed the next Pacific-wide exercise, Exercise Pacific Wave 08. The ICG further discussed the PTWS and ITIC work plan and budget for 2008 and 2009 in view of the current budget of UNESCO/IOC; it also heard of the progress on the PTWS Medium-Term Strategy. 114 The ICG reaffirmed its view that each Member State has the responsibility to issue warnings within its respective territories and to accept a commitment to open, free and unrestricted sharing of tsunami-relevant real-time observational data as a fundamental condition for a successful early warning. 115 The ICG decided, as a matter of urgency, to: (i) enhance the establishment and maintenance of tsunami warning centres in the regions as a key for faster and locally relevant early warning response; (ii) implement better methods to rapidly detect near-field earthquakes and possible tsunami; (iii) enhance, update, and modernize the capabilities of the seismic and sea-level monitoring networks; (iv) provide standard operational system description documents; and (v) accelerate the provision of strengthening support to Member States that have not yet sufficient capacity to develop tsunami warning and mitigation systems. 116 Accordingly, it made seven recommendations, on: (i) sea level measurement, data collection and exchange; (ii) a PTWS Operational Users Guide; (iii) a Pacific-wide tsunami exercise; (iv) establishment of sub-regional Pacific tsunami warning and mitigation systems for: the northwest Pacific, the South China sea, and the western pacific marginal seas; (v) a Pacific warning and mitigation system; (vi) improved strategic planning and budgeting; and (vii) a working group on rapid near-field recognition of tsunamigenic earthquakes and associated tsunamis. 117 The ICG also established or continued eight inter-sessional working groups, on: (i) sealevel measurements, data collection and exchange; (ii) interoperability of regional, sub-regional and national tsunami warning and mitigation systems in the Pacific; (iii v) sub-regional working groups for tsunami warning and mitigation development (for the Pacific coast of Central American, the Southeast Pacific, and the Southwest Pacific); (vi) Pacific Emergency Communications; (vii) rapid near-field recognition of tsunamigenic earthquakes and associated tsunamis; and (viii) Exercise Pacific Wave The ICG accepted the recommendation of its Working Group on Sea Level Measurement, Data Collection and Exchange, that the IOC Working Group on Tsunamis and Other Hazards Related to Sea-Level Warning and Mitigation Systems (TOWS-WG) organize in 2008 a sea level design and implementation workshop, involving similar working groups from the other ICGs. It also requested the IOC to convene a scientific technical conference in 2008 to review the state-of-art of detecting near-field earthquakes and possible tsunamis. 119 The ICG endorsed the recommendations of the 6th International Workshop on Tsunami Mitigation: New Insights in Tsunami Research, Preparedness, Warning and Mitigation (Guayaquil, Ecuador, 14 September 2007), co-organized by the IOC and the ICG/PTWS, the IUGG Tsunami Commission, and the host institution, INOCAR (Ecuador). 120 The ICG elected Mr Michael O Leary (New Zealand) as its Chairman, and Mr Giorgio de la Torre (Ecuador) and Mr Yohei Hasegawa (Japan) as its Vice-Chairmen. It decided to organize its 23rd Session in 2009 and accepted the offer of Samoa to host it. The ICG also accepted the offer of Japan to host the 24th Session in The ICG decided to submit to the Executive Council, at its 41st Session, a recommendation to formally authorize the interim tsunami advisory service provided for the South China Sea.

34 IOC/EC-XLI/2 page 31 DECISION 4.6.4: The Executive Council will be invited to: (i) consider the recommendations of the ICG/PTWS-XXII, particularly the creation of new working groups, in view of their focus and the funds available to their work; (ii) provide guidance and support to the ICG on further measures to ensure the timely implementation of the system; (iii) express its appreciation to the Government of Ecuador for having hosted the 22nd session of the ICG; (iv) take note of the offer of the Government of Samoa to host the 23rd session of the ICG; (v) examine the ICG s request for formal authorization of the interim tsunami advisory service provided for the South China Sea Follow-up of the First Meeting of the Working Group on Tsunamis and Other Hazards related to Sea Level Warning and Mitigation Systems (TOWS-WG) [Res. XXIII-15; Rule of Procedure 21.2a] Reports: IOC/TOWS-WG-I/3 Report of the First Meeting of the Working Group on Tsunamis and Other Ocean Hazards Warning and Mitigation Systems (TOWS-WG); UNESCO; Paris, 3 4 April The Co-Chairman of the Working Group on Tsunamis and Other Hazards Related to Sea- Level Warning and Mitigation Systems (TOWS-WG), Neville Smith (IOC Vice-Chairperson) will introduce this item. He will report on the conclusions of the First Meeting of the Working Group (Paris, 3 4 April 2008). 123 The TOWS-WG reviewed the GOHWMS Draft Framework Document for a global tsunami and other ocean-related hazards early warning systems (IOC-XXIV/2 Annex 10). A revised and final version is presented to the Executive Council in Annex IV to its report (IOC/TOWS-WG-I/3). 124 The TOWS-WG made a number of observations on the governance and mode of operation of the ICGs, noting some potential inefficiency. There should be a number of standing items in each ICG agenda. The TOWS-WG should be charged with streamlining and rationalizing the input from the ICGs to the Governing Bodies in such a way as to harmonize the work of the Commission and introduce consistency. 125 The ICGs would be invited to introduce items, as appropriate, and would remain accountable and responsible for work programmes and associated reports. 126 There is a general concern that the creation of working groups under each ICG, all dealing with similar matters and often calling on the same capability for advice and input, is not fully efficient. Moreover, where working groups are working in similar areas, such as standards, the terms of reference are often sufficiently different as to lead to different outputs and outcomes, making the task of harmonization and integration more difficult. The TOWS-WG believes it may be timely to consolidate and transition (or share) work with other bodies of IOC in a number of areas (science, observation and services). 127 The TOWS-WG believes a global core network of sea level tide gauges should be defined by JCOMM/GLOSS for tsunami and ocean hazards, building on the GLOSS core network for climate, wherever possible. TOWS-WG further believes the tsunameter Partnership should transition to an Action Group under the JCOMM/DBCP, to exploit synergies and to encourage a global role. The TOWS-WG believes the IOC should give additional attention to the issue of high-resolution bathymetric data. 128 The Working Group committed itself to undertaking intersessional work in a number of areas, including: (i) exchange of seismic data; (ii) adoption of standards and guidelines; (iii) outstanding telecommunication issues; (iv) testing the feasibility of ICSU involvement in coastal hazard studies; and (v) assisting the relevant subsidiary bodies to act as one in interactions with IOC partners, including ISDR and WMO.

35 IOC/EC-XLI/2 page The task of the TOWS-WG is linked to the UNESCO 34 C/5 Programme and Budget through Expected Result "Risks from tsunami and other ocean-related hazards reduced through early warning systems and preparedness and mitigation measures". It also responds to the IOC High-Level Objective 1 for , namely "Prevention and reduction of the impacts of natural hazards". DECISION 4.6.5: The Executive Council will be invited to: (i) endorse a role for the TOWS-WG in streamlining and rationalizing input to Governing Bodies; (ii) endorse the final GOHWMS Framework Document; (iii) request JCOMM/GLOSS to consider defining a global core sealevel tide-gauge network for tsunami and other ocean hazards and adopting an Action group for tsunameters; (iv) note and approve the proposed intersessional work of the Working Group; (v) request ICGs and other subsidiary bodies to consider the report of the WG and respond, as appropriate; and (vi) provide additional guidance, as appropriate, needed on coordinated development and implementation activities relevant to warning and mitigation systems for tsunamis and other hazards related to sea level and of common priority to all ICG/TWSs. 5. ADMINISTRATION AND MANAGEMENT 5.1 PREPARATION OF THE DRAFT PROGRAMME AND BUDGET FOR [Res. XXIII-16; Rule of Procedure 21.2a] Working documents: IOC/EC-XLI/2 Annex 10 Preparation of the Draft Programme and Budget for (Executive Summary) 130 The Executive Secretary will introduce this item. He will recall the strategic framework provided by the IOC Medium-Term Strategy for and will call the attention of the Executive Council to the need to ensure a seamless link between it and the UNESCO Medium- Term Strategy (34 C/4) and Programme and Budget for (35 C/5). In the light of the above, the IOC Programme and Budget for should be organized so as to contribute to the outcomes of the Medium-Term Strategy for through attainable and measurable results in a result-based management (RBM) framework. Therefore, it is highly desirable to determine future-oriented indications for the preparation of the Draft IOC Programme and Budget for to be submitted to the Assembly at its 25 th Session, in 2009, and in particular on the following issues: (i) Possible adjustments to the four High-Level Objectives and related actions and their operationalization through the definition of biennial priorities for and a related Operational Plan (ii) Suggestions for problem-based multidisciplinary activities, such as those relating to the issues of adaptation to climate change impacts and sea level rise, conservation and sustainable use of marine biodiversity, and hazard mitigation in the coastal zone, especially in respect of large cities (iii) Enhancement of IOC s role through strengthened cooperation with UNESCO marine-related programmes (Man and Biosphere Programme MAB; World Heritage Marine Programme; Coastal Regions and Small Islands CSI; and the Secretariat to the Convention on the Protection of the Underwater Cultural Heritage) (iv) IOC's role as lead body within UNESCO for the Intersectoral Platform on Climate Change (v) Cooperation with key global scientific programmes and with specialized agencies of the United Nations system (vi) IOC involvement in joint United Nations country programming exercises as a marine science arm

36 IOC/EC-XLI/2 page 33 (vii) Linkage between the regular programme of the IOC and extrabudgetary projects/programmes in order to improve the alignment and impact of the extrabudgetary support on programme priorities (viii) Strengthened delivery of IOC programmes at the regional level through the support of the UNESCO network of decentralized units and increased collaboration with other UN organizations with a regional presence (ix) Strategies and measures to enhance the visibility and reputation of the IOC in different constituencies, including the scientific community, policy-makers, multi- and bilateral donors, as well as civil society and the private sector. 131 The Executive Council may wish to address these issues also in relation to agenda item DECISION 5.1: The Executive Council will be invited to: (i) provide guidance on the preparation of the Draft IOC Programme and Budget for ; (ii) consider, with a view to adopting, Draft Resolution EC-XLI.(5.1), as is or as amended by the Executive Council during the present session. 5.2 DATES AND PLACES FOR THE FORTY-SECOND AND FORTY-THIRD SESSIONS OF THE EXECUTIVE COUNCIL [Rule of Procedure 19.2] 132 The Executive Secretary will introduce this item. Taking into account the Recommendations of the Assembly on this matter and bearing in mind that the Executive Council, at its 42nd Session, will act as the Steering Committee of the 25th Session of the Assembly and will meet for half a day (Monday 15 June 2009) on the day preceding the opening of the 25th Session of the Assembly (the closing date is left to the decision of the Officers and the Executive Secretary). DECISION 5.2: The Executive Council will be invited to consider holding its 43rd Session from [dates still to be determined] in 2010 drawing from the discussion on the Preliminary Plan and Schedule of Initiatives for the 50 th Anniversary of the Commission (item 4.1.2) and, in particular, the possibility to hold a special session of the Executive Council at the United Nations headquarters in New York. 5.3 RECRUITMENT OF THE IOC EXECUTIVE SECRETARY [Statutes of the Commission, Article 8] Information: IOC/EC-XLI/Inf.3 Draft job description and announcement of the position of Executive Secretary Schedule of the recruitment process Reference IOC-XXIV/3, Annex VI Report of the 40 th Session of the IOC Executive Council, Paris, 18 June The Executive Secretary will introduce this item. The Executive Council, at its 40 th Session, instructed the Executive Secretary to make available to the present session the draft job description and announcement of the post of Executive Secretary. It also outlined a schedule for the recruitment to allow all the administrative decisions to be taken and acted upon. The schedule may require adjustment in the light of the extension of the tour of duty of the present Executive Secretary until December 2009.

37 IOC/EC-XLI/2 page 34 DECISION 5.3: The Executive Council will be invited to reconsider the timeline of the recruitment to the post of Executive Secretary. 6. ADOPTION OF RESOLUTIONS AND SUMMARY REPORT Working documents: IOC/EC-XLI/2 Annex 11 Second Draft Revised Guidelines for the Preparation and Consideration of Draft Resolutions 134 The Chairperson of the Resolutions Committee will present the report of the Committee to the Executive Council. 135 The Chairperson of the Resolution Committee will draw the attention of the Executive Council to the Second Draft Guidelines for the Preparation and Consideration of Draft Resolutions pursuant to a decision of the Executive Council, at its 39 th Session, to improve the preparation and processing of Draft Resolutions. DECISION 6: The Chairman will invite the Executive Council to: (i) consider the report of the Chairperson of the Resolutions Committee; and (ii) the Second Draft Guidelines for the Preparation and Consideration of Draft Resolutions, with a view to updating Section 9 of the IOC Manual (IOC/INF-785, 1989); and (iii) to adopt the Draft Resolutions and the Draft Summary Report of its present session. 7. CLOSURE 136 The Chairman is expected to close the 41st Session of the Executive Council at hours, at the latest, on Tuesday 1 st July 2008.

38 Restricted Distribution IOC/EC-XLI/2 Add. Paris, 30 May 2008 Original: English INTERGOVERNMENTAL OCEANOGRAPHIC COMMISSION (of UNESCO) Forty-first Session of the Executive Council UNESCO, Paris, 24 June 1 st July 2008 ACTION PAPER ADDENDUM INTEGRATED COASTAL RESEARCH Summary. In accordance with Rule of Procedure 21.2c, the Executive Secretary proposes to the Executive Council the addition of a new agenda item, Integrated Coastal Research, for the present session, with the following background information Integrated Coastal Research [Rule of Procedure 21.2c with reference to Res. XXIV-4] Information: IOC/INF-1249 Coastal Eutrophication: Linking Nutrient Sources to Coastal Ecosystem Effects and Management The intersection of several UNESCO-IOC Programmes Related to Nutrients 1 Referring to: (i) the oral report on the first meeting of the Advisory Group for the Ocean Sciences Section (OSS), presented to the 39 th Session of the IOC Executive Council (Paris, June 2006); and (ii) Resolution XXIV-5 on "Ocean Sciences Programme priorities in the light of the IOC Medium-Term Strategy " and the decision therein to develop integrated coastal research on direct human influences on coastal-ocean functioning and ecosystem health, as well as marine modelling as a cross-cutting element, the OSS and the committees established under Global NEWS and GEOHAB have developed an outline for an intersection of several IOC programmes under the theme: Coastal Eutrophication: Linking Nutrient Sources to Coastal Ecosystem Effects and Management. The final concept paper is available as document IOC/INF (SC-2008/CONF.203/CLD.2 Add.)