Joint WMO-IOC Collaborative Board

Joint WMO-IOC Collaborative Board

Based on the recommendations of the Joint WMO-IOC Consultation Group on the Reform of JCOMM, Congress 18, through Resolution 9 (Cg-18), and the 30th IOC Assembly, through Resolution XXX-2, established the Joint WMO-IOC Collaborative Board.

Resolution 9 (Cg-18) and IOC Resolution XXX-2 established:

(1) To incorporate appropriate JCOMM functions and activities on observation and operational ocean forecasting systems into the IOC-WMO-UN Environment-ISC Global Ocean Observing System (GOOS), with functional connections to the Commission for Observation, Infrastructure and Information Systems

(2) To incorporate appropriate JCOMM functions and activities on data management and processing into the Commission for Observation, Infrastructure and Information Systems, with a close connection to the work of the IOC International Oceanographic Data and Information Exchange (IODE)

(3) To incorporate appropriate JCOMM functions and activities on services into the Commission for Services and Applications, with a close connection to relevant IOC activities in early warning and services

(4) To establish the Joint WMO-IOC Collaborative Board, as a high-level coordination mechanism with broader engagement of the key relevant bodies of the WMO and IOC, with the terms of reference as given in the Annex to this Resolution

The Resolution further recommends that for its first intersessional period, the Joint WMO-IOC Collaborative Board be co-chaired by the current co-chairs of the Joint WMO-IOC Consultation Group on the Reform of JCOMM, with the technical advice of the current JCOMM co-presidents, noting that these co-chairs would have flexibility to adjust the length of initial appointment terms defined in the Terms of Reference, in order to stagger future rotation of members.

Review of the performance of the Joint WMO-IOC Collaborative Board in coordination with IOC governing bodies is recommended, with an initial review in four years.

The proposed Joint WMO-IOC Collaborative Board would:

  • facilitate the continued work of all JCOMM functions and activities, by recommending connections to appropriate working structures on both sides,
  • make recommendations on evolving the governance for the Global Ocean Observing System, in consultation with all co-sponsors, to further develop the partnership and functional connections between GOOS and WIGOS,
  • prepare, in consultation with WMO and IOC technical, scientific and regional bodies, a comprehensive and coordinated WMO-IOC Collaborative Strategy, based on existing sectoral strategies, and submit it in two years to the WMO and IOC governing bodies for adoption
  • encourage WMO Members and IOC Member States to coordinate national responses to the advice of the Joint WMO-IOC Collaborative Board brought to WMO and IOC governing bodies

The Secretary-General of WMO is to define, in consultation with the IOC Executive Secretary, the working arrangements for the sponsorship of current JCOMM bodies and for the Joint WMO-IOC Collaborative Board and to report on implementation at the seventy-second session of the Executive Council; and to evaluate, in consultation with the IOC Executive Secretary, the financial and secretariat support requirements for the Joint WMO-IOC Collaborative Board, and make adequate provisions in the budget.

The IOC Assembly is invited to reflect in its decisions the content of this Resolution.

 

 

Terms of Reference

The Joint WMO-IOC Collaborative Board will coordinate, through a quadrennial WMO-IOC collaborative strategy, the collaborative development, integration and implementation of the activities related to oceanographic and meteorological observation, data and information management, services, modeling and forecasting systems as well as research and capacity development carried out by WMO and IOC.

The Board will provide the WMO and IOC governing bodies with strategic advice on joint work between WMO and IOC to achieve relevant objectives, including proposing new actions, as required, e.g. by preparing coordinated draft resolutions and/or decisions for both the WMO and IOC governing bodies. It will review work plans and provide technical and scientific recommendations for WMO and IOC subsidiary bodies and programmes, including proposing cross-cutting projects, and engage in the liaison or consultation required with relevant intergovernmental and international stakeholders.

Membership

Ten representatives of WMO and IOC scientific and technical bodies and programmes, including co-sponsored entities:

  • Five designated by the WMO President, representing the leadership of activities in observing system, data processing and management, forecasting systems, services and applications, and research; from a meteorological perspective
  • Five designated by the IOC Chairperson, representing the leadership of activities in observing system, data and information management, forecasting systems, early warning and services, and research; from an oceanographic perspective

At large members of the WMO Executive Council and representatives of IOC Member States, taking into account overall geographical balance:

  • Three members of the WMO Executive Council designated by the WMO President
  • Three representatives of IOC Member States designated by the IOC Chairperson, in consultation with the IOC Offices. 

Two co-chairs:

  • a WMO Vice-President, designated by the WMO President
  • an IOC Vice-Chairperson, designated by the IOC Chairperson
Working procedures
  • The co-chairs shall hold their office for two years, with the possibility to be re-appointed for a second term.
  • Other members shall hold their office for four years, or based on the duration of their term as leader in a WMO, IOC or joint activity.
  • The co-chairs shall represent the Collaborative Board in the sessions of the WMO and IOC governing bodies.
  • In principle, the Collaborative Board shall meet in person every year, in order to prepare recommendations for WMO and IOC governing bodies. Intersessional work should be carried out by correspondence or virtual means.
  • Members of the Collaborative Board will work collaboratively across and within their respective constituent bodies and activities on WMO and IOC observations, data, forecasting systems, services and research activities, to achieve the objectives stated in the Collaborative Board’s mandate.
  • The Collaborative Board may establish time-bound substructures for the discharge of specific tasks during an intersessional period. Such temporary substructures shall be discontinued at the end of every intersessional period, or may be re-established.
  • Chairs of other relevant WMO and IOC regional structures, working groups, panels and expert teams, as well as individual experts, may be invited by either co-chair in consultation with the other to attend meetings of the Collaborative Board as required by the agenda.
  • Representatives from other United Nations or international organizations may be invited as observers to the Collaborative Board as deemed appropriate by either co-chair in consultation with the other.

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