During its twenty-second session (24 June - 4 July 2003) the IOC Assembly adopted Resolution IOC-XXII-6 entitled 'IOC Oceanographic Data Exchange Policy.
IOC OCEANOGRAPHIC DATA EXCHANGE POLICY
The Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission,
Recalling Resolution XX-11 on Oceanographic Data Exchange Policy (1999),
Noting:
(i) WMO Resolution 40 (Cg-XII) which defined a policy and practice for the international exchange of meteorological and related data and is intended to promote the free and unrestricted exchange of basic data,
(ii) The “Statement on Data Management Policy for Global Ocean Programmes” as submitted by the IOC Committee on IODE (Recommendation IODE-XIV.6, December 1992) and adopted by the IOC Assembly at its 17th Session (Paris, 25 February–11 March 1993) (para. 220 of the Summary Report of the Session),
Considering the reports of deliberations of:
(i) The Ad hoc Working Group on Oceanographic Data Exchange Policy (Paris, 15–17 May 2000),
(ii) The First Session of the Intergovernmental Working Group on IOC Oceanographic Data Exchange Policy (Brussels, 29–31 May 2001),
(iii) The Second Session of the Intergovernmental Working Group on IOC Oceanographic Data Exchange Policy (Paris, 17–18 June 2002),
Adopts the IOC Oceanographic Data Exchange Policy as detailed in the Annex to this Resolution.
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Financial implications: none
Annex to Resolution XXII-6
IOC Oceanographic Data Exchange Policy
Preamble
The timely, free and unrestricted international exchange of oceanographic data is essential for the efficient acquisition, integration and use of ocean observations gathered by the countries of the world for a wide variety of purposes including the prediction of weather and climate, the operational forecasting of the marine environment, the preservation of life, the mitigation of human-induced changes in the marine and coastal environment, as well as for the advancement of scientific understanding that makes this possible.
Recognising the vital importance of these purposes to all humankind and the role of IOC and its programmes in this regard, the Member States of the Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission agree that the following clauses shall frame the IOC policy for the international exchange of oceanographic data and its associated metadata.
Clause 1
Member States shall provide timely, free and unrestricted access to all data, associated metadata and products generated under the auspices of IOC programmes.
Clause 2
Member States are encouraged to provide timely, free and unrestricted access to relevant data and associated metadata from non-IOC programmes that are essential for application to the preservation of life, beneficial public use and protection of the ocean environment, the forecasting of weather, the operational forecasting of the marine environment, the monitoring and modelling of climate and sustainable development in the marine environment.
Clause 3
Member States are encouraged to provide timely, free and unrestricted access to oceanographic data and associated metadata, as referred to in Clauses 1 and 2 above, for non-commercial use by the research and education communities, provided that any products or results of such use shall be published in the open literature without delay or restriction.
Clause 4
With the objective of encouraging the participation of governmental and non-governmental marine data gathering bodies in international oceanographic data exchange and maximizing the contribution of oceanographic data from all sources, this Policy acknowledges the right of Member States and data originators to determine the terms of such exchange, in a manner consistent with international conventions, where applicable.
Clause 5
Member States shall, to the best practicable degree, use data centres linked to IODE’s NODC and WDC network as long-term repositories for oceanographic data and associated metadata. IOC programmes will co-operate with data contributors to ensure that data can be accepted into the appropriate systems and can meet quality requirements.
Clause 6
Member States shall enhance the capacity in developing countries to obtain and manage oceanographic data and information and assist them to benefit fully from the exchange of oceanographic data, associated metadata and products. This shall be achieved through the non-discriminatory transfer of technology and knowledge using appropriate means, including IOC’s Training Education and Mutual Assistance (TEMA) programme and through other relevant IOC programmes.
Definitions
‘Free and unrestricted’ means non-discriminatory and without charge. “Without charge”, in the context of this resolution means at no more than the cost of reproduction and delivery, without charge for the data and products themselves.
‘Data’ consists of oceanographic observation data, derived data and gridded fields.
‘Metadata’ is 'data about data' describing the content, quality, condition, and other characteristics of data.
‘Non-commercial’ means not conducted for profit, cost-recovery or re-sale.
‘Timely’ in this context means the distribution of data and/or products, sufficiently rapidly to be of value for a given application
‘Product’ means a value-added enhancement of data applied to a particular application.
To find out more about the process that led to the adoption of this Policy click here
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Created on: Monday, 05 February 2007 02:00
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Last Updated on: Tuesday, 29 August 2017 12:10
