MULTILATERAL

MARINE SCIENCE AND EXPLORATION

Statutes of the Intergovernmental
Oceanographic Commission, Paris,
1960, as Revised, Paris, 1970,
and Amended, Paris, 1987

Done at Paris 15 December 1960; revised at Paris 13 November 1970; amended at Paris 18 November 1987

Entered into force 15 December 1960

Primary source citation: Copy of text provided by the
Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission

Article 1

1.

2.

3.

(a)

(b)

1. STATUTES OF THE COMMISSION

The Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission, hereafter called the Commission, is established as
a body with functional autonomy within the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural
Organization.

It guides the conception and follows the implementation of its programme as approved by the General
Conference in the framework of the latter's adopted budget.

The purpose of the Commission is to promote marine scientific investigations and related ocean services, with a view to learning more about the nature and resources of the oceans through the concerted action of its members.

The Commission shall seek to collaborate with all international organizations concerned with the work of the Commission and especially closely with those organizations of the United Nations system which are prepared to contribute to the Commission's Secretariat, to sustain the work of the Commission through the relevant parts of the programmes of such organizations, and to use the Commission for advice and review in the area of marine science.

Article 2

The functions of the Commission shall be to:

define those problems the solution of which requires international co-operation in the field of scientific investigation of the oceans and review the results of such investigations;

develop, recommend and co-ordinate international programmes for scientific investigation of the oceans and related ocean services which call for concerted actions by its members;

2.

3.

(c)

(d)

(e)

(f)

(g)

(h)

(i)

(j)

(k)

(1)

(m)

develop, recommend and co-ordinate with interested international organizations, international programmes for scientific investigation of the oceans and related ocean services which call for concerted action with interested organizations;

make recommendations to international organizations concerning activities of such organizations which relate to the Commission's programme;

promote and make recommendations for the exchange of oceanographic data and the publication and dissemination of results of scientific investigation of the oceans;

promote and co-ordinate the development and transfer of marine science and its technology, particularly to developing countries;

make recommendations to strengthen education and training in marine science and its technology, and promote relevant projects in these fields as components of each of its programmes;

develop and make recommendations for assistance programmes in marine science and its technology; make recommendations and provide technical guidance as to the formulation and execution of the marine science programmes of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization;

promote scientific investigation of the oceans and application of the results thereof for the benefit of all mankind, and assist, on request, Member States wishing to co-operate to these ends. Activities undertaken under this sub-paragraph shall be subject, in accordance with international law, to the regime for marine scientific research in zones under national jurisdiction;

promote, plan and co-ordinate observing and monitoring systems on the properties and quality of the marine environment, as well as the preparation and dissemination of processed oceanographic data and information, and of assessment studies;

promote, recommend and co-ordinate, with international organizations, as appropriate, the development of standards, reference materials and nomenclature for use in marine science and related ocean services;

undertake, as appropriate, any other action compatible with its purpose and functions concerning the scientific investigation of the ocean and its interfaces.

The Commission, in carrying out its functions, shall take into account the special needs and interests of developing countries, including in particular the need to further the capabilities of these countries in marine science and technology.

Nothing in this Article shall imply the adoption of a position by the Commission regarding the nature or extent of the jurisdiction of coastal States in general or of any coastal State in particular.

Article 3

1.

2.

The Commission shall give due attention to supporting the objectives of the international organizations with which it collaborates. On the other hand, the Commission may request these organizations to take its requirements into account in planning and executing their own programmes.

The Commission may act also as a joint specialized mechanism of the organizations of the United Nations system that have agreed to use the Commission for discharging certain of their responsibilities in the fields of marine science and ocean services, and have agreed accordingly to sustain the work of the Commission.