Committees

IODC-3 Committees

The conference planning, programme and implementation is coordinated by the planning and scientific committees

Planning Committee

The Planning Committee will:

  • Agree on the topics (sessions) of the conference
  • Provide scope descriptions for each of the sessions
  • Agree on the format(s) of the conference (presentations, flash presentations, posters, side events,…)
  • Identify target audiences of the sessions
  • Identify communication channels to spread information on conference
  • Publish the calls for abstracts
  • Agree on the report/publication of conference outcomes
  • Collaborate with the Scientific Committee

The planning committee is composed of the following members (tentative list):

Scientific Committee

The scientific committee will:

  • Review submitted abstracts and decide on accepted abstracts as oral presentations or information packages to share.
  • Select keynote speakers and moderators for each Q&A session.
  • Provide summary on status of implementation on the recommendations from IODC-II, as well as formulate new and forward looking recommendations as part of IODC-III.

Session information

SESSION 1: Ocean Biodiversity (and how we can collectively contribute to the needs of BBNJ and GBF)

There is a growing global need for reliable biodiversity data to support efforts to halt biodiversity loss, reduce risks, restore ecosystems, enable a Nature Positive blue economy and promote sustainable use of marine resources. The Ocean Biodiversity Information System (OBIS) has been facilitating marine biodiversity data collection and sharing for 25 years. Its role is increasingly important in supporting Frameworks like the Convention on Biological Diversity’s Global Biodiversity Framework (GBF) and the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea’s Biodiversity Beyond National Jurisdiction (BBNJ), which rely on accurate data for decision making and to track progress. International programmes such as the Global Ocean Observing System (GOOS), the Marine Biodiversity Observation Network (MBON) and OBIS help meet these requirements by delivering FAIR and open data, fit-for-purpose information products and tools to support Environmental Impact Assessments, Natural Capital Accounting, Area-based Management Tools such as Marine Protected Areas, and access and benefit-sharing of marine genetic resources. This session welcomes presentations on projects and initiatives that enhance our ability to meet ocean biodiversity data needs and that support IODE and its OBIS to address these challenges, thereby contributing to meeting global targets and advancing ocean sustainability.

SESSION 2: Capacity development facilitating data, information, and knowledge exchange

Equitable capacity is key to accelerating global progress in ocean science and sustainable management and will be decisive in enabling nations to overcome current and future crises. In this context, this session invites presentations on initiatives that contribute to developing local, regional, and global capacity in ocean science, focusing on technologies, services, and products that facilitate access and sharing of data, information, and knowledge. The session welcomes initiatives working both at the individual and institutional levels of capacity building, including actions such as training, community engagement and literacy, facilitating mechanisms, and emerging technologies that address priority areas of IOC Programmes and Regions, UN Decade of Ocean Science for Sustainable Development and the 2030 Agenda and its SDGs as well as supporting the implementation of the IOC Capacity Development Strategy. A special focus will be dedicated to the contributions of the OceanTeacher Global Academy (OTGA) Regional and Specialized Training Centres (RTC/STCs), and affiliated partners, including Early Career Ocean Professionals (ECOPs), invited to communicate about their developments and achievements.

SESSION 3: Working towards a federated Global Ocean Data Ecosystem

In this session we invite presentations on how the global community is contributing to the development of a federated global ocean data ecosystem, including through the Ocean Decade framework and in particular the Decade Data and Information Strategy Implementation, the Vision 2030 process for Challenges 7 and 8 and specific Decade Actions.
Presentations will also highlight the cooperation between IODE and its network of partners, including objectives, outcomes and lessons learned that may be applied to other cooperations, further advancing the Global Ocean Data Ecosystem.

SESSION 4:Application of Ocean data for sustainable Ocean Planning and Management

The integration of ocean data into policies related to Sustainable Ocean Planning and Management (SOPM) such as Marine Spatial Planning (MSP) and Integrated Coastal Zone Management (ICZM) is of key importance. Within this context, IOC’s programme on MSP (MSPglobal) has worked with IODE and GOOS to co-develop guidelines on ocean data and management for MSP practitioners. Indeed, IODE programme components (e.g. OBIS, ODIS) as well as National Oceanographic Data Centres (NODCs) and Associate Data Units (ADUs) are playing important roles in providing high-quality, standardized ocean data to support evidence-based decision making.
This session invites presentations focussing on the practical application of ocean data in SOPM. It will showcase case studies where ocean data has been instrumental in advancing MSP and ICZM initiatives on local, national and regional levels. Presentations will highlight the ways in which countries have utilized ocean data to address challenges such as biodiversity conservation, climate change adaptation and mitigation as well as growing demand of ocean space from maritime sectors, thereby demonstrating the critical links between data accessibility and sustainable development objectives. Examples should illustrate how data from global, regional and national initiatives have been effectively employed to address these challenges.
Through these case studies, the session aims to provide actionable insights for policymakers, scientists and ocean managers on utilizing ocean data for SOPM. Attendees will gain a deeper understanding of the operational and strategic value of robust ocean data systems in facilitating integrated and science-informed ocean planning processes. Besides, session discussions will focus on how IOC’s IODE and MSPglobal programmes can support the improvement of these products and services to strengthen the value chain from research, observation, data, services, relevant information products to inform policy/management actions, and capacity development