1. IOC’s Ocean Data and Information Management programmes in Africa
Mika ODIDO

2. Content UNESCO and its IOC IOC in Africa The IODE programme
The Ocean Data and Information Network for Africa.
I will focus today on the following issues:
IOC and its Role within the UN System
Climate Change Mitigation and Adaptation and the Relevant activities of IOC/UNESCO
Opportunities for development of oceanography and marine sciences in Africa, including an overview of the IOCAFRICA Strategic Plan

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Established Working to build peace in the minds of men and women - education - sciences - culture - communication Exchange of knowledge, including scientific knowledge, through international cooperation, capacity building and technical assistance
The Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission is a subsidiary body of the United Nation’s Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization – UNESCO. It’s mission is therefore closely linked to that of UNESCO.
UNESCO was established in 1945 soon after the end of the second world, with the objective of “Building Peace in the Minds of Men and Women”. It was one of the first specialized agencies of the United Nation’s to be established. The experience of the war and its aftermath was so traumatizing that the governments of the world agreed that such a war must never happen again. They recognised that the ideas of war are created in the minds of men and women, therefore it is there that the bridges of peace must be built.
Since its inception, UNESCO through its mandate in education, the sciences, culture and communication has aimed to forge a culture of peace by fostering the exchange of knowledge, including scientific knowledge, through international cooperation, capacity building and technical assistance to its Member States. It works to create the conditions for genuine dialogue between civilizations, cultures and people based on mutual respect and respect for shared values.
Programmes focusing on Africa and on Gender Equality have been identified as priority areas for UNESCO. 3 3

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Established 1960
Promote international cooperation and coordinate programmes in research, services and capacity building, in order to
Learn more about the nature and resources of the ocean and coastal areas; and to
Apply that knowledge for the improvement of management, sustainable development, the protection of the marine environment, and the decision-making processes of its Member States.
IOC was established 15 years later, in 1960 following a recommendation of an Intergovernmental Conference on Oceanic Research organized by UNESCO in Copenhagen, Denmark the same year.
The need for the IOC flowed directly from the recognition that there is a limit to what a group of enthusiastic well-meaning scientists can do internationally, without an intergovernmental organization to provide the operational, logistical and legal framework.
IOC was created as a body with functional autonomy within UNESCO to Promote international cooperation and coordinate programmes in research, services and capacity building, in order to learn more about the nature and resources of the ocean and coastal areas; and to apply that knowledge for the improvement of management, sustainable development, the protection of the marine environment, and the decision-making processes of its Member States 4

5. IOC Within UN
Focal point for ocean observations, science, services and data exchange
Competent international organization for marine science (UNCLOS)
Functional autonomy
145 Member States

6. Elements of IOC’s MT Strategy
3 Expected Results:
Scientific understanding of ocean and coastal processes bolstered and used by Member States to improve the management of the human relationship with the ocean
Risks and impacts of ocean-related hazards reduced, climate change adaptation and mitigation measures taken, and policies for healthy ocean ecosystems developed and implemented by Member States
Member States’ institutional capacities reinforced to protect and sustainably manage ocean and coastal resources
The IOC Medium Term Strategy responds to the strategic objectives of UNESCO’s programme by “Promoting knowledge and capacity for protecting and sustainably managing the ocean and coasts”.
IOC will focus on the broad areas of:
Strengthening scientific understanding of ocean and coastal processes in a changing environment through research and systematic ocean observations;
Developing capacities in early warning, services, and assessment to reduce risks and impacts of ocean-related hazards, support climate change adaptation and mitigation, and sustain healthy ocean ecosystems; and
Building institutional capacities for sustainable ocean management and governance.
The second session of the IOC Sub Commission for Africa and the Adjacent Island States, held in Cape Town, South Africa last month (3-4 April 2013), and attended by many of you, adopted a Draft Strategic Plan for the Sub Commission in line with these, with the aim of contributing to the achievements of IOC’s objectives.
Six regional expected results were identified under the three IOC Global Expected Results.
I will briefly review each of them and the actions which are planned to achieve the results.
These could then provide a framework for the discussions over the next few days.

7. Major IOC Programmes Ocean Observations and Services
Global Ocean Observing System. GOOS is a permanent global system for observations, modelling and analysis of marine and ocean variables to support operational ocean services worldwide. (and JCOMM) International Oceanographic Data and Information Exchange. IODE facilitates the exchange of oceanographic data and information between participating Member States, and serves the needs of users for data and information products.

8. Major IOC Programmes Ocean Science
Marine Spatial Planning. This IOC initiative aims to help countries operationalize ecosystem-based management by finding space for biodiversity conservation and sustainable economic development in marine environments. Harmful Algal Bloom. The HAB programme aims to foster the effective management of, and scientific research on, harmful algal blooms in order to understand their causes, predict their occurrences, and mitigate their effects. ICAM: Integrated Coastal Area Management Coral Reef Monitoring Network Global Marine Assessment

9. Major IOC Programmes Tsunami warning and mitigation
The IOC Tsunami Programme aims at reducing the loss of lives and livelihoods that could be produced worldwide by tsunamis. In order to accomplish this, the IOC Tsunami Unit supports IOC Member States in assessing tsunami risk, implementing Tsunami Early Warning Systems and in educating communities at risk about preparedness measures.
ODINWESTPAC workshop, Tianjin, 4-7 March 2014

10. Established in 1961 ‘to enhance marine research, exploitation and development by facilitating the exchange of oceanographic data and information between participating Member States and by meeting the needs of users for data and information products’

11. Network of oceanographic data & information centres
More than 80 centres

12. IODE System Objectives?
facilitate and promote the exchange …
long term archival, management and services …
promote the use of international standards…
assist Member States to acquire the necessary capacity
support international scientific and operational marine programmes of IOC and WMO...
AND
SUPPORT SCIENCE, OBSERVATION AND COASTAL/MARINE MANAGEMENT PROGRAMMES (IOC D&IM strategy, 2007)
to facilitate and promote the exchange … of all marine data and information including metadata, products and information in real-time, near real time and delayed mode;
to ensure the long term archival, management and services of all marine data and information;
to promote the use of international standards, and develop or help in the development of standards and methods for the global exchange of marine data and information, using the most appropriate information management and information technology;
to assist Member States to acquire the necessary capacity to manage marine data and information and become partners in the IODE network; and
to support international scientific and operational marine programmes of IOC and WMO and their sponsor organisations with advice and data management services.

13. Tasks of NODC
receiving data from national, regional and international programmes collecting oceanographic data;
verifying the quality of the data (using agreed upon standards)
ensuring the long term preservation of the data and associated information required for correct interpretation of the data; and
making data available, nationally and internationally.

14. Data types? Physical Oceanography Chemical Oceanography
Marine Contaminants/pollution
Marine Biological/Fisheries
Marine Geology/Geophysics
Marine Meteorology.

15. Marine Information Management
Bibliographic information management
Factual information management
Interface between DM and IM: metadata
Advance in science = use knowledge of others + add your own

16. Data Exchange- concerns
Data is lifeblood of science
Synthesis of data from various sources to provide new insights and advance our understanding of nature.
Incentive for data collection
Somebody will use data without acknowledgment
Cost recovery

17. IOC Data Policy
IOC Programmes: Timely, free and unrestricted access to all data, associated meta data and products
Non-IOC Programmes
Essential for application to the preservation of life
Beneficial public use and protection of the ocean environment
Forecasting of weather
Operational forecasting of the marine environment
Monitoring and modelling of climate
Sustainable development in the marine environment
Research and Education Community: Products or results of such use shall be published in open literature without delay or restriction.

18. ODIN Strategy - Ocean Data Networks
Based on four elements:
Training
Equipment
Seed funding for operational activities of newly established data centres and libraries
Work in regional context, addressing common (regional) as well as individual national goals.

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IOC presence in Africa
IOC welcomed 6 African MS (Congo, Cote d’Ivoire, Ghana, Mauritania, Morocco & Tunisia) within its first year of existence.
IOCWIO was established in 1979 and had 10 MS.
IOCEA was established in 1984 and had more than 17 MS.
What is the IOC presence in Africa?
Within the first year of IOC’s existence six Africa countries (including Congo, Cote d’Ivoire, Ghana, Mauritania, Morocco and Tunisia) became member states of the Commission. The numbers increased as more African countries gained their independence, reaching the current total of 36 member states.
•The IOC’s Regional Committee for the Western Indian Ocean (IOCWIO), established in 1979.
•The IOC’s Regional Committee for the Central and Eastern Atlantic (IOCEA), established in 1984. 19

20. IOC Sub Commission for Africa & the Adjacent Island States
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IOC Sub Commission for Africa & the Adjacent Island States
Established July 2011, and officially launched May 2012.
Promote regional and international cooperation for the understanding and management of the African oceans and coastal ecosystems, in order to ensure sustainable development and safety of the coastal populations, taking into account the priorities of Member States from Africa
The 26th Session of the IOC Assembly, meeting at the UNESCO HQs, Paris, France (22 June – 6 July 2011) decided to establish the IOC Sub-Commission for Africa and Adjacent Island States, as a framework to improve IOC visibility, to facilitate coordination among the Member States in the region, and to ensure the efficient implementation of IOC programmes in Africa.
The two regional committees IOCWIO and IOCEA were abolished when the Sub Commission was launched in March 2012.
I will now give an overview of Climate Change and Oceans and the related activities that IOC has implemented in the region. 20

21. Evolution of the network..1989 - 2008

22. Evolution of the network
1989 – 1996: 7 countries in East Africa
1998 – 1999: about 15 countries East and West Africa
2000 – 2003: 20 countries East, West Africa & N. Africa
2004 – 2008: more than 40 institutions in 25 countries
2009 – 2013: DR Congo & Sudan joined, Algeria & Morocco dropped out.

23. Information component..
Initial concern was access to literature
What work has been done on this topic?
By whom and published and where?
Can we get the publication?
Can we build on this work?
Promote accessibility of research findings of African marine scientists

24. Training and equipment were provided to facilitate this
Information management activities..
Bibliographic search service
Document delivery service
Library catalogues
Database of marine related
publications from/about Africa
Directories of experts and
institutions
Newsletters and websites
Training and equipment were provided to facilitate this

25. Data components Realization that
Substantial amounts of data collected in African waters by foreigners not accessible to national experts and institutions
Capacity to collect data limited
Capacity to analyze and interpret data from global programmes minimal

26. Data management activities
Repatriation of data from international data centres and other institutions outside Africa
Data locator service
Skills, equipment and software for analysis and interpretation of data
National data catalogues
National data collections online, on CD and other media

27. Coastal Observations .. Limited long term continuous observations
Climate change
Tidal prediction [navigation]
Shore line change
Storm surges and other extreme events
Funding for coastal data collection
within national work plans.

28. Achievements ….  Improved access to literature and other information
Library catalogues and links to global networks [IAMSLIC]
Literature repository [
Access and contribution to bibliographic databases
[ASFA input centres in Cote d’Ivoire, Egypt, Kenya, Mauritania, Mozambique, Senegal, Tanzania, Tunisia]
Newsletters, portals and websites
 More than 30 librarians from 24 countries trained
for each achievement give examples of successes and also difficulties

29. Achievements ….2
 Improved access to data, and skills for analysis and interpretation…
African Marine Atlas
Marine Species databases
National data collections
Sea level Data facility [
Tidal predictions
 More than 70 data managers from 25 countries trained in a wide range of skills.

30. Achievements ….3
 Coordinated the strengthening of sea level network, comprising more than 40 sea level stations

31. Achievements ….4 Most Important.
 Network of African Experts, collaborating and assisting each other in issues related to data and information management
 Strong focus on addressing local and national priorities

32. FOCUS OF CURRENT PHASE
Establishment of National multi-sectoral and stakeholder data networks to maximize the use of available data and to make available IODE NODC’s data management expertise to other stakeholders
Strengthened and sustainable marine data and information management infrastructure in the ODINAFRICA countries.
Developing Priority [customised] products such as forecasts, predictions, models, atlases, and scenarios.
Improved mechanisms for the dissemination and application of data, information and products  

33. STRENGTHENING OF NATIONAL MARINE DATA & INFORMATION MANAGEMENT
Capacity assessments using questionnaires, and a mission to member states in ASCLME region.
Ocean Teacher Academy training courses and workshops
Focused ODINAFRICA training workshops (atlas development, marine information management, websites development).
Provision of equipment and seed funds.

34. DEVELOPMENT OF PRODUCTS AND SERVICES
Catalogue of data sets (using Geonetwork
Coastal and Marine Atlases
African Register of Marine Species
Marine Mammals Survey in CCLME region
Catalogue of library holdings
Repositories of Marine Publications.

35. PROMOTING THE USE OF PRODUCTS & SERVICES DEVELOPED BY PROJECT
NODC websites
Project websites
African Oceans portal
WINDOW newsletter
Ocean Data portal.
Conferences and events by other organizations

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Thank you! 36 36