EO·Atlas
Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission of UNESCO
Compiled from public sources on 2026-06-20. Not independently verified by Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission of UNESCO.
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The Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission of UNESCO is an international agency for intergovernmental cooperation in marine science. It was established in 1960, is based at UNESCO headquarters in Paris, and held its first session from 19 to 27 October 1961.[1] For Earth observation users, IOC-UNESCO matters because its ocean-observing coordination connects satellite altimetry with in-situ ocean observations and organizes work around 36 Essential Ocean Variables.[2] Its role is not a satellite manufacturing or data-sales role; it is a standards, coordination, and science-to-action body for ocean knowledge, observation priorities, and international cooperation.[1] The IOC-led ocean-observing work was created in 1991 and is co-sponsored by WMO, UNEP, and ISC, giving the agency a visible convening role across operational ocean monitoring communities.[2]
- [1]The Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission (IOC) of UNESCO: Turning Ocean Science and Knowledge into Actionagency doc2026-06-20Confirms IOC established 1960; first UN body for intergovernmental cooperation in marine sciences; HQ Paris at UNESCO; first session 19-27 October 1961
- [2]GOOS - Who We Are - UNESCO IOCagency doc2026-06-20GOOS created 1991; IOC-led; co-sponsored by WMO, UNEP, ISC; 36 Essential Ocean Variables; coordinates satellite altimetry and in-situ ocean observations globally