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WHAT WE DO

Sub-Commission for the Caribbean and Adjacent Regions of the Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission (IOC) of UNESCO

 

The IOCARIBE operates within the framework of the general policy of the IOC and is an intergovernmental subsidiary body responsible for the promotion, development, and coordination of the Commission's marine scientific research and technology development programmes, the ocean services, and related activities including Capacity Development in the Tropical Americas and the Caribbean region, through the concerted action of IOCARIBE Member States.

The Sub-Commission's programmes reflect the regional priorities, needs and commitments towards the achievement of regional sustainable development. The IOCARIBE enables its 30 Member States and 15 Territories to manage, protect and sustainably develop the Ocean and its resources. The Sub-Commission's provides Member States with best available science to formulate their own marine policy instruments, to achieve the global goals including the UN Agenda 2030 and its Sustainable Development Goals, the Paris Agreement on Climate Change and the Sendai Framework on Disaster Risk Reduction, working with UN agencies, international, regional, and national institutions.

Our Work

For 60 years the IOC has worked behind the scenes to enable its Member States to work together to strengthen our knowledge and management of the ocean for the benefit of humanity.

Understand

Understand

The IOC is helping its Member States by coordinating global efforts to understand and address human impacts on the ocean's fragile ecosystems.

Measure

Measure

The IOC helps Member States to coordinate the shared global systems needed to measure changes to the ocean and its physical, chemical and biological properties.

Alert

Alert

The IOC helps Member States to work together to reduce the risk posed by tsunamis, coastal flooding, storm surges and harmful algal blooms (HABs). As coastal populations face increasing risks, the IOC is helping its Member States to use science-based solutions to strengthen preparedness and improve emergency response.

Evaluate

Evaluate

The IOC is helping its Member States to understand and improve the way global science is undertaken in order to improve the management of our shared oceanic and marine resources.

Manage

Manage

The IOC is helping its Member States to improve global management of the world’s shared marine ecosystems and oceanic resources.

Enable

Enable

The IOC works to support the development of capacity in ocean science in all Member States through its training programmes and by providing opportunities for countries to share knowledge, expertise, and technology.

2021-2030

The United Nations has proclaimed a Decade of Ocean Science for Sustainable Development (2021-2030) to support efforts to reverse the cycle of decline in ocean health and gather ocean stakeholders worldwide behind a common framework that will ensure ocean science can fully support countries in creating improved conditions for sustainable development of the Ocean.