Messages from partners

A dozen of partner organizations sent messages of welcome to the Executive Secretary of IOC, Dr. Wendy Watson-Wright with the words of thanks to the IOC contribution to the study, monitoring, protection and governance of the sea. Here are extracts from some of them.

Minister of Foreign and European Affairs of France (Bernard Kouchner)

"You know my country is very interested in the work of the Commission, particularly in the area of the assessment of the state of the marine environment. Synergies should be found with the initiative undertaken by the European Union and France in establishing an intergovernmental platform on biodiversity and ecosystem services.
I am convinced that our cooperation on these matters will be fruitful particularly during the International Year of Biodiversity."

International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) (Julia Marton-Lefèvre, Director-General)

"I have a long-standing respect for the work of IOC and send you and your colleagues my best wishes for this important celebration and for the next 50 years of success. I look forward to continued close cooperation between IUCN and the IOC in safeguarding the blue part of your planet."

World Meteorological Organization (WMO) (Michel Jarruad, Secretary-General)

“The World Meteorological Organization (WMO) appreciates its long-time partnership with the Commission, with the help of which organizations succeeded to contribute to the promotion of international co-operation and co-ordination of essential programs in the areas of research, service and building capacity for sustainable development and protection of the marine environment.

I wish to congratulate the IOC for the significant development that has been done in these areas during the past 50 years, as well as all your colleagues who worked with both consistency and commitment to achieve the goals that the IOC has supported.”