IOC Committee on International Oceanographic Data and Information Exchange, Twentieth Session, China People's Palace, Beijing, China, 4-8 May 2009

Abstract

The IOC Committee on International Oceanographic Data and Information Exchange held its Twentieth Session (IODE-XX) at the China People’s palace Hotel in Beijing, China between 4 and 8 May 2009. The Session was attended by 67 participants from 35 IOC Member States and 4 organizations. The Session’s highlights included: (i) IODE Ocean Data Portal: good progress was reported in the development of the IODE ODP Project but more NODCs should contribute as data providers. IODE must also work with other portal projects, such as SeaDataNet, to ensure interoperability between these different systems as NODCs cannot be expected to install multiple portal applications; (ii) OBIS: the committee expressed its opinion that OBIS should become part of the IODE programme prepared a statement for the attention of the 25th Session of the IOC Assembly; (iii) the Groups of Experts have submitted an extensive work plans for the next two year; and (iv) ODINWESTPAC has developed a comprehensive work plan and this should ensure the further expansion of the work of IODE in this region. In addition there was renewed interest in reinvigorating the ODINCINDIO and ODINCARSA projects. The Committee further discussed the need to organize specific activities to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the IOC in 2010, and of the IODE in 2011. The Committee re-elected Dr Malika Bel-Hassen Abid (Tunisia) and Mr Gregory Reed (Australia) as IODE Co-Chairs.