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IOC Sub-Commission for the Western Pacific (WESTPAC)

Advancing knowledge and cooperation for a healthy ocean and prosperous society

Research Directors vow to further sustained observations for improved services to the Indo-Pacific societies

One open-ended Research Directors’ Forum was convened on 22 April 2014 as part of the 9th WESTPAC International Scientific Symposium, 22-25 April 2014, Nha Trang, Vietnam. Over 45 Directors, representatives and regional Experts from marine scientific institutes, academic faculties and/or operational agencies in the Indo-Pacific met at the Forum, aiming to build and enhance networks; exchange strategic directions of their institutions; identify scientific and technical challenges; and spark regional actions in the framework of IOC for future collaborations by exploring any opportunity of synergizing existing and planned observations through the emerging Indo-Pacific Ocean Observation Network (IPON).

The forum concluded with one Joint Directors’ Statement adopted towards the attainment of the future we want: “A Healthy and Safe Ocean for Prosperity in the Indo-Pacific region”, calling for the following:

  • urgent action to establish the Indo-Pacific Ocean Observations and Services Network (IPON);
  • creation of the Scientific Steering Committee for Indo-Pacific Ocean Observations and Services Network (SC-IPON) as an arm to guide the development of IPON;
  • heightened recognition from IOC/UNESCO Member States, regional leadership and policy decision makers on the need to establish IPON;
  • marine scientific communities to undertake further research on, and sustained observations of, the ocean processes and climate, earth dynamics, and the impacts of climate change and anthropogenic activities on vulnerable marine biodiversity and ecosystems;
  • Increased assistance to developing nations in the Indo-Pacific region, including Small Island Developing States (SIDS);
  • enhanced efforts in capacity building in developing nations in the Indo-Pacific region, in particular through the development of technical assistance programs and materialization of the “IOC Regional Network of Training and Research Centers on Marine Science”.

All participants expressed their appreciation to the IOC/UNESCO for the tremendous efforts, and particularly its WESTPAC, in building the capacity of developing nations, in the Indo-Pacific region for marine research, sustained observations and service underpinning the sustainability of ocean and coastal resources.

Mr. Wenxi Zhu, Head of UNESCO/IOC Regional Office for WESTPAC thanked the Institute of Oceanography of the Vietnam Academy of Science and Technology for the gracious hosting and the excellent arrangements that have been provided in Nha Trang.

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