The purpose of the Commission is to promote international cooperation and to 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. The Commission will collaborate with international organizations concerned with its work, and especially with those organizations of the United Nations system which are willing and prepared to contribute to the purpose and functions of the Commissions and/or to seek advice and cooperation in the field of ocean and coastal area scientific research, related services and capacity-building.Strong scientific understanding and systematic observations of the changing world climate and ocean ecosystems shall underpin global governance for a healthy ocean, and global, regional and national management of risks and opportunities from the ocean, IOC aspires to help its Member States to collectively achieve the following high-level objectives (HLOs):1 Healthy ocean ecosystems and sustained ecosystem services2 Effective early warning systems and preparedness for tsunamis and other ocean-related hazards3 Increased resiliency to climate change and variability and enhanced safety, efficiency and effectiveness of all ocean-based activities through scientifically-founded services, adaptation and mitigation strategies4 Enhanced knowledge of emerging ocean science issues
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