UK elected to UNESCO oceans body
The UK has been elected to UNESCO’s international oceans coordinating body, the Executive Council of the International Oceanographic Commission (IOC). Following an election at UNESCO headquarters in Paris last week, the UK will serve on the Council for a two year term (2011-2013).
The IOC established the world's first tsunami warning system in the Pacific in 1965.
The UNESCO International Oceanographic Commission (IOC) promotes international cooperation in ocean scientific research and in the development of ocean services worldwide. By ensuring equitable access to information and services, the IOC increases the capacity of all countries to address marine issues. Programmes target a wide range of national, regional and global challenges such as climate change, ocean health and fisheries, disaster warning and mitigation, capacity building, and data availability and exchange.
The 40 seat Executive Council (1 Chairperson, 5 Vice-chairpersons and 34 member states) meets once a year to reviews the IOC’s on-going work plans.
The UK will be represented on the Executive Council by Mr Trevor Guymer from the National Oceanography Centre of the University of Southampton. Mr Guymer is also the Chair of the UK IOC National Committee, which is the main coordinating body for UK input to the Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission.
Read more about the IOC here.
Written: 06/07/2011 , last modified: 06/07/2011
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