Global Ocean Observing System for
IOGOOS Memorandum of Understanding
Memorandum of
Understanding on the creation of an Association of marine operational and
research agencies/institutions/authorities in the
NOTING that the lives of at least 1.5
billion people on this planet Earth are profoundly influenced by the Indian
Ocean characterised by a fragile living environment that is sensitive to
climate changes, natural disasters and human impact,
REALISING the imperative need to take a
pro-active role and concerted actions to understand the Ocean and Coasts for
making informed decisions that save lives and protect living habitats and
resources in the Indian Ocean region,
INTENDING to contribute, collectively, to
the progress of ocean observations, ocean science and operational oceanography,
focussing on these imperative needs of the
RECOGNISING the important role taken by the
Global Ocean Observing System (GOOS) sponsored by United Nations Agencies
(Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission of UNESCO; World Meteorological
Organisation; and United Nations Environment Programme) and the International
Council Science, to facilitate a global coordination of ocean and coastal
observing systems and to catalyse formation of alliances between nations to
focus effort on their pressing regional concerns,
NOTING the other programmes of IOC such
as IODE and ODINAFRICA
DESIRING to establish IOGOOS to provide
an organizational framework for planning,
coordination and effective implementation of appropriate regional and
sub-regional ocean and coastal observing systems and services,
FURTHERING the efforts of the High level
Consultations at the Indian Ocean Principals’ Meeting held on
the undersigned agree to the
following Articles:
Article 1: Creation of IOGOOS
By signing this Memorandum of Understanding, the Agencies/Institutions/Authorities
agree to (a) establish IOGOOS, an Association of marine operational and
research agencies in the
Article 2: Aims and Objectives of IOGOOS
Members of IOGOOS will collaborate and work
together for developing programmes for the implementation of GOOS in the
(i)
Enhance the Ocean Observing System in the region,
(ii)
Promote and facilitate efficient and effective
management, exchange and utilisation of oceanographic data,
(iii)
Promote programmes and projects in operational
oceanography and ocean services in the region meeting the requirements of
end-users,
(iv)
Strengthen capacity building for enhancing the
capabilities in the region,
(v)
Encourage research to support the needs of Users,
(vi)
Develop synergies with other ocean programmes and regional GOOS bodies,
and
(vii)
Contribute to international planning and promotion of GOOS.
Article 3: Activities of IOGOOS
The activities of IOGOOS, accordingly,
would include the following:
3.1 Enhancement of Ocean
Observing System
(i)
Identify gaps and deficiencies in the existing/planned ocean and coastal
observing system (in-situ and remote sensing) and develop a programme for
realising a well-designed Ocean Observation System for the region, adhering to
the ‘GOOS principles’
(ii)
Promote the development of low cost and efficient instrumentation and
observing systems
3.2 Data Management, Data
Exchange and Communication
In accordance to the GOOS
principles on data:
(i)
Promote the development of low cost and efficient systems for
acquisition, management, processing and interpretation of data
(ii)
Expand and strengthen networking of countries using
modern technology including internet for real and near real time exchange of
data and products
(iii)
Promote
the development of standardized operational data procedures, including data
quality control and data management
(iv)
Provide high quality data and time series for a
better understanding and improved management of the
(v)
Collaborate with other programme and bodies in the
field of data collection and data management
(vi)
Co-ordinate
GOOS data acquisition with existing regional and national data gathering
systems under the agreements and conventions (e.g. relating to pollution
monitoring, marine meteorology, navigation, safety at sea etc.)
(vii)
Publish findings of meetings, workshops, studies and
other documents commissioned by the IOGOOS members, submit documents to
international meetings related to GOOS and assure collective representation of GOOS
to regional and national agencies when requested by members.
3.3 Ocean Services
(i)
Identify priorities for operational oceanography and
ocean services in the Indian Ocean region, based on evaluation of social and
economic benefits,
(ii)
Promote
the development of regional and local operational oceanography, taking into
account the components of GOOS, for realising services and products of maximum value to the countries of
the region
(iii)
Support
operational oceanography and services in collaboration with marine-related
public and private sector organizations and programmes
3.4 Capacity Building
(i)
Identify the training needs of countries in the
region and promote organisation of training courses, workshops and seminars
(ii)
Promote
the development of common infrastructure, major systems or capital
installations required to support operational oceanography in
(iii)
Promote and aid capacity building, exchange of know-how, technology and
personnel
as well as collaboration, within the framework of GOOS;
(iv)
Promote
pilot projects and studies in the countries of the region to demonstrate the economic
benefits of GOOS, and
(v)
Strengthen collaboration with GOOS and JCOMM capacity
building panels and IOC-TEMA including IOCINWIO and IOCINDIO capacity building
programmes.
3.5 Research
(i)
Promote research and pre-operational research for solving problems
relating to operational oceanography in the
3.6 Co-operation with other
programmes and bodies
(i)
Contribute
to international planning and implementation of GOOS,
(ii)
Assist in developing policies for the furtherance of GOOS and
co-ordinate the best regional participation in GOOS, identifying where greatest
value is added by collaboration
(iii)
Promote collaboration between existing regional multi-national agencies/institutions/authorities,
programmes, organisations, and initiatives having expertise in oceanography,
operational systems, and remote sensing of the ocean,
(iv)
Collaborate, as appropriate, with GOOS-Africa, NEAR-GOOS, SEA-GOOS,
WAGOOS and WIOMAP through joint projects and activities,
(v)
Cooperate, as appropriate, with organisations concerned with the
assessment of climate change, global environmental research, and the impacts of
climate variability and climate change,
(vi)
Promote collaboration with space agencies/institutions/authorities
and remote sensing scientists and engineers so as to ensure optimum integration
of both in situ and remote sensing data in operational oceanography;
(vii)
Promote
collaboration between institutes and agencies in providing/attracting aid and
assistance to developing countries for operational oceanography, and the
necessary capacity building, and
(viii)
Provide
as appropriate, expertise, consultants, etc., to the GOOS Steering Committee
(GSC), IOC WMO UNEP Committee for GOOS (I-GOOS), and to the international sponsoring agencies/institutions/authorities
of GOOS
Article 4: Membership
4.1 IOGOOS
Members will be national organisations (authorities, agencies, institutes) from
the region who are willing to advance GOOS in their country and actively
contribute to its extension in the
4.2 Each
Member will nominate one representative to participate in the Annual Meeting or
a General Meeting of IOGOOS.
4.3 Multi-national
organisations of the
4.4 The
signatories to this MoU have been admitted as the initial Members of IOGOOS.
4.5 Admission
of a new Member to IOGOOS shall be done by the Annual meeting, based on written
application made to the Secretariat of IOGOOS. Such application shall be made
by the Head of the Agency and seconded by at least two Members.
4.6 When
any Agency from a country wishes to join IOGOOS and there is already one or
more Member(s) from that country, the applicant shall include a written
statement that the existing Member(s) agree(s) to the Membership of the new
Member and that the agencies/institutions/authorities from the same country
will work in collaboration.
4.7 A
Member may withdraw from IOGOOS by giving at least six months notice to the
Secretariat. Its departure takes effect on the 31st December of the
year in which it notified its decision. A Member remains liable for its
commitments made prior to the decision to leave unless agreed differently by
the remaining Members acting unanimously.
4.8 In
the event of a Member not meeting its obligations, financial or otherwise, an
Annual Meeting acting by a two-thirds majority (not counting the concerned
Member), may decide to exclude that Member and relieve it of the commitments
made prior to the decision to expel.
Article 5: Annual Meetings and General
Meeting
5.1 The Association
shall, in each calendar year, hold an Annual Meeting in addition to any other
general meetings in that year and shall specify the meeting as such in the
notices calling it. The Association shall hold its first Annual Meeting within fifteen
months of this MoU entering into force. Not more than fifteen months shall elapse
between the date of one Annual Meeting of the Association and that of the next.
The Annual Meeting shall be held at such time and place as decided by the
Officers at the previous meeting.
5.2 Major items of policy
shall be discussed and decided at the Annual Meeting, including the
establishment of projects, formation of subsidiary bodies, review of work, and
modification of the Rules, with instructions and guidance for the Officers for
the coming year. The Secretariat will provide an agenda to all Members,
approved by the Officers, at least two months before the meeting.
5.3 The Annual Meeting shall
receive reports from the Chairperson of IOGOOS and the Chairpersons of the
principle Subsidiary bodies. The accounts and financial summary for the previous
year and the budget for the following year shall be submitted for approval.
5.4 The subscription
required from Members shall be fixed by the Annual Meeting from time to time.
5.5 Appointment of Officers and
the recognition of new Members shall be made at Annual Meetings,.
Article 6: Officers
6.1 The
Members at the Annual Meeting will appoint the Chairperson and four Officers
providing a balanced representation of the region.
6.2 The
Chairperson and Officers will serve for two years, and be responsible for all
IOGOOS activities between Annual Meetings. They will be eligible for
re-appointment for up to a maximum of two successive terms.
6.3 The
Chairperson and the Officers will select a Secretary who will be responsible
for ensuring the satisfactory implementation of all decisions made by the
Annual Meeting and between Annual Meetings by the Officers, for the IOGOOS
Office, and for the management of IOGOOS funds. The Secretary will report to
the Chairperson and to the Officers. He/she will prepare papers for the Annual
and other meetings and may represent IOGOOS at international organisations as
required by the Officers.
6.4 The
Officers may exercise the powers of the Association in accordance with this MoU
and the policies and directions agreed by the Members at the Annual Meeting
from time to time. Any acts or decisions of the Officers not so authorized in
advance shall be subject to the approval of the Members at the next Annual
Meeting following such act or decision.
6.5 The Head of IOC Regional Programme
Office in
6.6
The Chairperson or an Officer may
give notice one year in advance of his/her intention to retire, and in that case
the following Annual Meeting shall appoint a replacement.
6.7 The
Association may by ordinary resolution appoint a person who is willing to act
as an Officer either to fill a vacancy or as an additional Officer and may also
determine the rotation in which any additional Officers are to retire.
Article 7: IOGOOS Secretariat
7.1
The IOGOOS Secretariat will be established at a leading oceanographic
research establishment in the
7.2
The location of the Office may be rotated after six years from one
Member to another by agreement of Members at an Annual Meeting at least one
year in advance of the date of transfer.
7.3
Members will be requested to submit proposals to host the Secretariat.
The host institution for the Secretariat will be decided at the first annual
meeting.
Article 8: Subsidiary Bodies and Projects
8.1 The
Members at an Annual Meeting, or the Officers between Annual Meetings acting within
the powers defined in Article 6, may create or abolish any committee, working
group, project team or task team consisting of one or more Officers or other
nominated representatives of Members. Representatives of Agencies/institutions/authorities
not being Members may be invited to join any committee, working group, project,
or task team with the approval of the Officers. Any such committee, working
group, project, or task team may be made subject to any terms of reference the
Officers may impose in accordance with the Rules.
8.2 The
Officers may appoint any person as an Associate Officer who may represent any
committee, working group or task team at meetings of the Officers for the
purpose of liaising with and reporting the actions of such committees to the
Officers. The Associate Officers shall not by virtue of their appointment as
such be Officers of the Association and they shall not have a right to attend
and vote at the meetings of Officers.
Article 9: Rules of Procedure
9.1 The Association may
from time to time make such Rules as it shall deem necessary, expedient or
convenient for the proper conduct and management of the Association and for the
purposes of prescribing conditions of Members.
9.2 The Association, in its general
meeting, shall have the power to alter, add to or repeal the Rules. The
Secretariat shall circulate any such information to all Members.
Article 10: Decision-making at Annual and
General Meetings
10.1 All issues raised at any meeting of the Association
shall, if possible, be decided with the unanimous consent of all Members
present at such meeting and all Members shall use their respective reasonable
endeavours to reach consensus in relation to all issues at each meeting. If any
matter relating to the affairs of the Association has been considered by a
meeting of the Members and no decision or resolution has been arrived at the
meeting in relation to the matter by reason of the non-unanimous consent of all
Members present, then the matter shall be carried over to a further meeting of
Members to be held within three months of the date of the meeting at which the
matter was first raised ("the Adjourned Meeting").
10.2 Pending
the Adjourned Meeting the Members shall continue to use their reasonable
endeavours to liaise with each other to obtain a common consensus with a view
to agreeing the matter to be decided at the Adjourned Meeting.
10.3 If, at
an Adjourned Meeting and following an appropriate period of debate, a matter
cannot be agreed upon by all Members present and voting then the matter shall
be decided by a majority of 75% of those Members present and voting.
10.4 Each
Member has the right to appoint an authorized representative to attend Annual
Meetings and has the right to vote.
10.5 An
instrument appointing a duly authorized representative shall be in writing,
executed by or on behalf of the appointing Member and shall be in the following
form (or in a form as near thereto as circumstances allow or in any other form
which is usual or which the Members may approve): The Secretariat will keep an
up to date list of all representatives which will be made available to any
Member on request.
Article 11: Management of Subsidiary Bodies
11.1 Subsidiary bodies of
IOGOOS created in accordance with Article 8 shall be established with written
terms of reference and outline work tasks which shall be confirmed or altered
at regular intervals specified in their Terms of Reference. The number of
standing bodies or committees shall be kept to a minimum. Subsidiary bodies or
panels should be created for a specific task and disbanded after a fixed time.
11.2 Subsidiary bodies of
IOGOOS shall report to the Annual Meeting with a summary of their achievements,
meetings held, and forthcoming plans, if
any.
11.3 When a Subsidiary body
deems it necessary to create a further subsidiary or panel this shall only be
done with agreement of the Officers, and the status and terms of reference of
the new body shall be submitted to the next Annual Meeting for approval or
disbanding.
11.4 Subsidiary bodies may
initiate projects and set up project organising groups seeking grants to fund
projects. In all cases where projects are considered or planned, the Subsidiary
body shall seek approval from the Officers, and inform the IOGOOS Secretariat.
11.5 The leaders of all
Subsidiary bodies and projects shall meet collectively from time to time under
the Chairpersonship of an Officer to review the range of work and projects
being undertaken by IOGOOS. This meeting shall usually be conducted in
conjunction with the Annual Meeting.
Article 12: Funding IOGOOS
12.1
The primary source of funding for IOGOOS will be
through Annual subscriptions from Members and Voluntary contributions from
Members, GOOS or its Sponsors to a ‘IOGOOS Central Fund’ that will be used to
support activities and operations of IOGOOS such as hosting meetings,
organising workshops, adhoc study groups or pilot projects, hosting of Website,
consulting services to national and multilateral bodies, employing consultants,
financing publications, providing for their own costs of communications, and
other items as agreed upon by Members at the Annual Meeting.
12.2
The Annual Subscription is fixed,initially, as USD
500/- per Member. The Annual Meeting shall revise the Annual Subscription, as
necessary.
12.3 IOGOOS may solicit in-kind contributions
from Members, including seconding of Officials to support operations and
activities of IOGOOS as well as contribution to the funds of the Association in
the shape of donations, subscriptions, grants, funds from other agencies.
12.4
Members and other participants shall mobilise
subvention on their own, to cover the costs for attending meetings of IOGOOS
Article 13: Financial Management
13.1 Financial transactions of
IOGOOS shall be conducted through the financial services office of the host
agency, including invoicing for subscriptions or services provided management
and acknowledgement of receipts, payment of bills due, payment of honorarium, where
relevant.
13.2 In
Accordance with Article 5.3 the Secretary shall present a report of the
financial state of the Association to the Annual Meeting. The report shall be approved prior to
distribution by the Officers, and shall be scrutinised in particular by one
Officer appointed for the task.
13.3 The Association
shall have the following powers exercisable in furtherance of its aims, objectives and activities but not otherwise, viz.
(i)
to issue appeals, hold public meetings and take such
other steps as may be required for the purpose of procuring contributions to
the funds of the Association in the shape of donations, subscriptions, grants,
funds from other agencies,
(ii)
to engage and pay any person or persons whether on a
full-time or part-time basis or whether as consultant or employee to supervise,
organize, carry on the work of and advise the Association. The income and
property utilized by the Association shall be applied solely to the promotion
of its objectives as set forth in this MoU and no portion thereof shall be paid
or transferred directly or indirectly by way of dividend, bonus or otherwise
howsoever by way of profit, to Members of the Association and no Officer of the
Association shall be appointed to any office of the Association paid by salary
or fees, or receive any remunerations or other benefit in money or money's
worth from the Association.
Article 14: Collaboration with other
organisations
14.1 In accordance with the
objectives of the Association set out in Article 3 IOGOOS will work closely
with other organisations to promote operational oceanography.
14.2 The Annual Meeting may
invite representatives of other organisations to establish a link with the Association,
or may arrange exchange of observers or cross-membership, in accordance with
classes of Membership.
14.3 The Association is a
regional Subsidiary of the Global Ocean Observing System (GOOS) and as such
will seek to develop GOOS objectives in
Article 15: Duration
IOGOOS will continue until such time as an
Annual Meeting of Members decides that it should end.
Signatories to the IOGOOS MoU
|
