Terms of Reference

The Joint WMO/IOC Technical Commission for Oceanography and Marine Meteorology (JCOMM) shall:

(i) Coordinate, develop and recommend standards and procedures for the work of Members/Member States in the overall collection, exchange, access, understanding, application and delivery of marine meteorological and oceanographic data, information, forecasts and warnings upon which marine meteorological and oceanographic services and marine-related decision-making processes are based.

(ii) Coordinate, develop and recommend standards and procedures for the work of Members/Member States in the overall collection, management, exchanges and archival of high-quality marine meteorological and oceanographic data, information and products, on which climate studies, predictions and services, as well as impact and adaptation strategies, are based.

(iii) Promote and facilitate the international sharing of implementing experience, transfer of technology and research uptake, and support relevant education and training to meet the capacity development needs of national agencies and of other organizations that play a role in the provision of marine meteorological and oceanographic services.

In this regard, the Commission will give special attention to education and training, and technology transfer initiatives on marine meteorological and oceanographic data, products and services that respond to the needs of, and build capacity in, the developing countries with particular emphasis on the Least Developed Countries and Small Island Developing States. Additionally, the Commission will support cooperation among WMO, IOC and other Untied Nations agencies that are members of UN-Oceans, the International Hydrographic Organization (IHO), the International Council for Science (ICSU) and other governmental and non-governmental organizations, the private sector as well as user organizations, on matters related to marine meteorology and oceanography.

Within its terms of responsibility as defined above, and consistent with the IOC Statutes, the Joint WMO/IOC Technical Commission for Oceanography and Marine Meteorology shall have responsibilities common to all WMO Technical Commissions as defined in WMO General Regulation 179, and shall structure its work to address societal outcomes as envisaged by the planning documents of the parent organizations, by creating an operating plan focusing on the areas identified within its specific terms of reference and addressing appropriate (or applicable) strategic thrusts and expected results.