(i) Enhance the level of public awareness of the importance of collaboration and involvement in ocean science at all levels of society (e.g. civil society, media, government, international organizations);
(ii) Take stock of advances in marine sciences and related international cooperation, at the global, regional and national levels, and plan for future directions in this area;
(iii) Promote worldwide a better image of IOC and of the solidarity of the international community in the field of ocean science;
(iv) Demonstrate to governments and to the public, the value and importance of the Commission's achievements, and make the international community and its leaders aware of the enormous contribution IOC can make in oceanography and related sciences and services in the future.