PROVISIONAL SUMMARY REPORT
3. STATE OF THE IOC, ITS REGIONAL SUBSIDIARY BODIES AND ITS PROGRAMME AND BUDGET
3.3 REPORTS BY THE CHAIRS OF THE IOC SUB-COMMISSIONS AND REGIONAL COMMITTEES
3.3.3 IOC Sub-Commission for Africa and the Adjacent Island States
3rd Session of IOCAFRICA, 13–15 April 2015, Nairobi, Kenya
52 The Chair of the IOC Sub-Commission for Africa and the Adjacent Island States, Dr Monde Mayekiso (South Africa), reported on the major outcomes of the 3rd session of the Sub Commission (IOCAFRICA-III, 14–15 April 2015, Nairobi, Kenya).
He highlighted the activities developed in the scope of the IOCAFRICA Strategic Plan, 2014–2021 (IOC/INF-1318): training courses and workshops in the field of Application of Ocean Data and Modelling products in particular and others in the context of the fourth phase of ODINAFRICA; Regional Training centres established in four countries as part of the OceanTeacher Global Academy Project; an artwork competition for children and youth; and preparation of reports on coastal erosion problems and oceanography capacities in West Africa.
53 The IOCAFRICA programme of work for 2015–2017 has 16 action areas (Rec.
54 The development of an ocean observations network in the region was identified as the priority area considering the little progress that has been made so far in this area.
55 The Assembly noted opportunities to develop programmes in association with the African Union Decade of the African Seas and Oceans (2015–2025).
56 China reiterated its continued support for the Sub-Commission, especially in the fields of capacity development, ocean observations and the blue economy. China will work with IOCAFRICA through their proposed Joint Coordination Committee to finalize a detailed work programme and implementation plan.
57 The Assembly expressed its gratitude to China and all Member States that have also contributed to IOCAFRICA activities: Governments of Flanders (Belgium), Republic of Korea, Kenya, Nigeria, South Africa and Spain and suggested that more Member States could strengthen IOCAFRICA by supplementing resources and staff assigned to the secretariat.
58 The representatives of 13 Member States took the floor. The following Member States chose to provide records of their plenary intervention on this agenda item for the informational annex to the meeting report: China, India, Kenya, South Africa, Tanzania.
59 The Assembly adopted Decision IOC-XXVIII,Dec.3.3.3 below.
IOC Sub-Commission for Africa and the Adjacent Island States (IOCAFRICA)
The Assembly,
Having considered the executive summary report of the 3rd Session of the IOC Sub- Commission for Africa and the Adjacent Island States, Nairobi, Kenya, 13–15 April 2015,
Noting the progress that has been made in the implementation of the IOCAFRICA work programme, especially in capacity development, and the limited progress in
development of ocean observations in the region,
Welcomes the support provided by various Member States for the development and implementation of the programmes of the Sub-Commission, including the Government of Flanders (Belgium), Republic of Korea, Nigeria, Spain and South Africa;
Urges Member States, partner organizations and programmes to support the implementation of the Work Programme (2015–2017) of the Sub-Commission;
Accepts the report of IOCAFRICA-III and the recommendations therein;
Requests the IOC Executive Secretary to consider strengthening of the IOCAFRICA Secretariat through the regular budget;
Agrees that the regular budget for these activities will be identified as part of the overall IOC Programme and Budget Resolution XXVIII-3.
60 The IOC Vice-chair in charge of capacity development and regions, Prof. Adoté Blivi (Togo), introduced this item. Resolutions XXV-2 and EC-XLIII.3 requested the IOC Executive Secretary to: (i) ensure that a meeting of IOC Regional Subsidiary Bodies (RSBs) and other regional activities be held in conjunction with IOC Assembly sessions; (ii) re-activate the IOC Regional Committee for the Central Indian Ocean (IOCINDIO), giving consideration to the activities of existing IOC and other relevant regional bodies; (iii) allocate resources for implementation of activities in the regions, providing an indication of the proportion of budgets of global programmes that goes towards implementing activities in each region; (iv) improve communications between IOC and its RSBs, and between regional and global programmes; and (v) explore, in consultation with Member States, the establishment where needed, of supporting facilities in those regions.
61 The meeting of the Regional Subsidiary Bodies was held on Monday 15 June 2015 prior to the Assembly under the chairship of Prof. Adoté Blivi. The meeting (IOC-XXVIII/RSB/3s) highlighted the persistent challenges the RSBs are facing and identified recurrent needs: (i) strengthen the regular budget allocations; (ii) increase the extra-budgetary resource base for the regions; reinforce the staffing of the Secretariat of the RSBs as there is only one UNESCO professional staff in the secretariat of each of the three Sub-commissions; (iii) improve the coherence and integration of IOC global and regional programmes; and (iv) increase consultations and communication between the Headquarters, the RSBs and the Member States.
62 Prof. Blivi reminded that the state of development of the Sub-commissions is uneven. Whereas WESTPAC builds results on strong ownership, commitment and investment by Member States in its region, IOCARIBE and IOCAFRICA still consider best practices that are adapted to their region. The staffing needs for a new sub- commission like IOCAFRICA (2011) are critical. The RSB meeting suggested that the Technical Secretaries, the officers of the Sub-commissions and Headquarters Secretariat meet on a regular basis to share experiences and best practices. With the recent restructuring of the IOC Secretariat at the Headquarters, the Marine Policy and Regional Coordination section (MPR) is expected to play an essential role to meet the required coordination, communication and integration needs of the Regional Subsidiary Bodies. In this regard it was noted that the new Executive Secretary actively contributed to the RSB meeting and rightly identified the difficulties and challenges facing the Sub-commissions. Prof. Blivi called also upon the Member States to provide the required level of support for the optimal operation of the RSB.
He concluded that while the challenges are well known, the mechanisms for efficient and long-term solutions require further coordination and communication.
63 The Assembly noted that the key elements for solutions to meet regional needs include sharing best practices, integration and co-design of global programmes, and strengthened communication with and reporting to RSB constituencies. Ownership of the RSBs by Member States is an essential prerequisite to mobilizing and attracting resources from all Member States in support of the RSB secretariats.
64 The representatives of two Member States took the floor. The following
item for the informational annex to the meeting report: ___________.
65 The Assembly adopted Decision IOC-XXVIII, Dec. 3.3.4 below.
Regional Subsidiary Bodies The Assembly,
Having considered the executive summary report of the meeting of the Regional Subsidiary Bodies prior to its 28th session (IOC-XXVIII/RSB/3s),
Takes note of the report of the IOC Vice-chairman for regions.