The IOC/WESTPAC Coordinating Committee for the North-East Asian Regional- Global Ocean Observing System (NEAR-GOOS) concluded its 14th Session in Tianjin, China, 8-9 September 2011 with kind host of the National Marine Data & Information Service of China. The meeting reviewed the current

operational status of NEAR-GOOS data exchange network, identified existing deficiencies and came up with suggestions on several concrete actions to be taken over the next intersessional period in improving the effectiveness and efficiency of the network.

The meeting also decided to focus its efforts in the near future on the improvement of its products and the development of ocean forecasting capabilities. Meanwhile one pilot project was approved on the cross-basin investigation with a view to improving, through the conduct of joint cruises, the understanding of the impact of climate change on the regional seas and their ecosystems in the NEAR-GOOS region.