UNESCO/IOC Regional Network of Training and Research Centres on Oceanography in the Western Pacific
At the Seventh Intergovernmental Session of the IOC Sub-Commission for the Western Pacific (WESTPAC-VII), Kota Kinabalu, Sabah, Malaysia, May 2008, the Sub-Commission endorsed the Recommendation SC-WESTPAC-VII.3 to improve regional capabilities in marine science through initiating the "UNESCO/IOC Regional Training and Research Centres on Oceanography in the Western Pacific".
A Procedure and Guidelines for establishing the above-mentioned centres have been finalized and approved by the IOC Executive Secretary, and the first regioanal centre is expected to be established by the end of 2009.
Recommendation SC-WESTPAC-VII.3
UNESCO/IOC REGIONAL NETWORK OF TRAINING AND RESEARCH CENTRES ON OCEANOGRAPHY IN THE WESTERN PACIFIC
The IOC Sub-Commission for the Western Pacific,
Recalling the IOC Principles and Strategy for Capacity Building adopted at the 23rd Session of its Assembly in 2005,
Recognizing the disparity in capacity and capability among the Member States of the region, and high capability of several Member States in marine science, ocean observations and service,
Further recognizing the urgent need to provide high quality training in specialized fields of oceanography in the WESTPAC Region,
Invites member states and regional institutions, including academic institutions, to provide training and capacity building courses in support of the WESTPAC High-Level Objectives and Priority Areas working through the WESTPAC Secretariat to help create a network of training opportunities;
Endorses the UNESCO/IOC Regional Network of Training and Research Centres in the Western Pacific as appended to this recommendation;
Invites Member States to nominate and support their national oceanographic institutes willing to participate actively in the above-mentioned Network;
Instructs the WESTPAC Secretariat to begin implementation of the Regional Network of Training and Research Centres in the Western Pacific as a pilot project and to provide Member States with a report during the next Session that describes actions taken, results, obstacles, opportunities, and recommendations;
Requests the IOC Executive Secretary to facilitate the implementation of this regional capacity building activity by encouraging Member States, donors, organizations, and institutions to engage in the Regional Network.
Annex to Recommendation SC-WESTPAC-VII.3