Terms of reference

The IODE Committee is a PRIMARY SUBSIDIARY BODY of the IOC. It is a TECHNICAL COMMITTEE (IOC Manual, INF-785, Chapter 5, page 37) . The following Terms of Reference have been used by the IODE Committee since their last revision adopted by the 14th Session of the IOC Assembly:

The Working Committee on International Oceanographic Data Exchange shall:

1. facilitate exchange of oceanographic data, the standardization of forms for reporting and coding data, the encouragement of the preparation of data catalogues and the assistance of development of national oceanographic data centres;
2. facilitate exchange of, and access and referral to, information resulting from, or relating to marine programmes emanating from related activities (ASFlS, MEDI, UNISIST, UNEP, IRS, CODATA, etc.);
3. review and re-appraise the whole international oceanographic data exchange system, recommending changes to the Commission, as appropriate;
4. continue and encourage format standardization for use with automated techniques for data input, storage, retrieval dissemination and exchange;
5. continue the development of means whereby geological-geophysical, biological, special air-sea interaction, marine pollution data and data from "continuously recording" and remote sensors are incorporated into the international oceanographic data exchange system;
6. take action as necessary to give effect to the Commission's policy decisions, within its prescribed terms of reference;
7. make recommendations to the Commission on policy matters within its terms of reference and on the need for Consultants and/or temporary Groups of Experts to deal with special scientific and technical matters connected with the Commission's programmes;
8. report regularly and make recommendations to the Commission of the work accomplished and on future action required and prepare with the assistance of the Secretary, a draft two-year programme of the work and financial requirements for submission to each Assembly;
9. maintain close collaboration with World, National, Regional and Responsible Data Centres, with the other Working Committees, with the International Co-ordination Groups for the Co-operative Investigations, and with international organizations, within its terms of reference;
10. have the right to form ad hoc task teams to carry out specific parts of the work of the Committee during intersessional periods provided no costs fall on the Commission;
11. make recommendations to the Assembly and the Executive Council regarding the provision of technical guidance and for the formulation and execution of the marine science programmes of UNESCO relating to marine data and information management, and, when appropriate, to facilitate co-ordination with related programmes of other ICSPRO agencies.

Details

Created on: Friday, 28 November 2008 10:52

Last Updated on: Monday, 01 July 2013 12:20