With its unique mandate in ocean science and services, the IOC is a recognized competent International Organization in the fields of Marine Scientific Research (Part XIII) and Transfer of Marine Technology (Part XIV) of the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) (10 December 1982), also referred to as “the Constitution of the Oceans”.
IOC is responsible for documenting the practice of Member States in Marine Scientific Research as well as for the implementation of the IOC Criteria and Guidelines on the Transfer of Marine Technology (CGTMT) adopted in 2005 by the IOC Assembly. These criteria and guidelines aim at applying the provisions of Part XIV (Development and transfer of marine technology) UNCLOS, providing a critical tool to promote capacity building in ocean and coastal related matters through international cooperation. Through the CGTMT, the IOC hopes to inspire national actions, legislation, projects, and programmes, as the concept of Transfer of Marine Technology represents a true opportunity in international cooperation under the IOC umbrella.
IOC is also charged with updating the list of experts for special arbitration in the field of MSR and TMT (Annex VIII of UNCLOS) and providing support to the “Commission on the Limits of the Continental Shelf” and Member States in relation to the submissions for the extension of the continental shelf.