TERMS OF REFERENCE OF THE SUB-COMMISSION FOR THE WESTERN PACIFIC 

The Sub-Commission for the Western Pacific shall endeavour to: 

(i) define regional problems, the solution of which calls for international co- operation, and promote, develop and co-ordinate the required marine scientific research programmes and related activities; 

(ii) implement and co-ordinate the regional components of global marine scientific research programmes and activities of the Commission; 

(iii) promote the development and use, at the regional level, of ocean services and related supporting activities, co-ordinated or maintained by the Commission; 

(iv) facilitate the exchange of scientific data and information and the transfer of knowledge resulting from marine scientific research especially to developing countries in the region; 

(v) assist with the identification of training, education and mutual assistance needs in the region, particularly those relating to the programmes of the Sub-Commission, and promote the required TEMA activities; 

(vi) make recommendations to the governing bodies of the Commission on policy matters, and submit proposals on the budgetary and other forms of support required for the programme of work of the Sub-Commission; 

(vii) co-operate with other subsidiary bodies of the Commission on technical matters of common interest; 

(viii) provide general guidance and serve as a mechanism for Member States for the formulation, evaluation and follow-up of proposals for extra-budgetary projects aimed at strengthening national and regional capabilities in marine scientific research and the establishment of common institutions, services and facilities ( e.g. centres, networks, etc. ); 

(ix) co-operate with the regional subsidiary bodies of the UN organizations members of ICSPRO and of other UN organizations as well as regional bodies collaborating with the Commission; 

(x) when appropriate:
(a) form Task Teams to carry out specific assignments 
(b) establish Groups of Experts, and 
(c) organize technical meetings (e.g. workshops), provided costs fall within the budget allocated to them or extra budgetary funding is available for that purpose; otherwise recommendations to that effect shall be submitted to the governing bodies of the Commission for their consideration and approval. 

Membership: Membership shall be open to all interested Member States of the Commission willing to participate actively in the work of the regional Sub-Commission. 

The session is the principal organ of the Sub-Commission which makes all decisions to accomplish the objectives of IOC/WESTPAC. The Sub-Commission currently has 20 Member States. 

In order to enable the Member States of the Sub-Commission to provide guidance to the IOC/WESTPAC Secretariat for the implementation of its activities during the inter-sessional period, the session is held once every three years*. This body is composed of the 20 member states. 

The Officers of the Sub-Commission are elected in their personnal capacity at each session. They are nominated by the member states and can serve for two terms.   

* Note: In accordance with the newly-adopted Recommendation SC-WESTPAC-VII.6 in May 2008, the session is rescheduled to be held every two years, starting  from the Seventh Session in 2008.

* Note: In accordance with the newly-adopted Recommendation SC-WESTPAC-VII.6 in May 2008, the session is rescheduled to be held every two years, starting  from the Seventh Session in 2008.