International Role

The Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission (IOC) of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO) is the UN body responsible for ocean science. It supports international collaboration and standards in ocean science. NOC provides the UK Delegation to the IOC to ensure that representation is scientifically and technically led. NOC receives and disseminates information relating to global scale programmes, working with partners throughout the UK, including the UK National Commission for UNESCO, the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) and the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra), to ensure UK interests are best represented. The remit also involves contributing to policy and programme decisions through participation at biannual meetings of the Executive Council and General Assembly.

As the leading UK agency working on the high seas and in the deepest parts of the world's ocean, NOC has many years' experience exploring environments of the deep seafloor where mineral resources can be found. These range from discovery of hydrothermal vent systems on mid-oceanic ridges to research of cobalt crust formation on seamounts to ecosystem health of deep abyssal plains where manganese nodules form. The ISA is the UN organisation responsible for organising and controlling activities in the international seabed area, the Area, defined as the seabed, ocean floor and the subsoil, beyond the limits of national jurisdiction, and amounting to roughly 50% of the world's oceans. We use our experience to support UK Government interests in ensuring the ISA delivers its remit.

NOC is a host institute supporting the Nippon Foundation of Japan Fellowship Programme, as executed by DOALOS. The Fellowship fund provides capacity-building and human resource development to developing States Parties and non-Parties to UNCLOS. NOC provides a supervisor to fellows from around the globe who have projects relating to maritime space and governance of the marine environment.

As the UK's leading agency undertaking research on the high seas, the impact of the 2023 Agreement under the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea on the Conservation and Sustainable Use of Marine Biological Diversity of Areas beyond National Jurisdiction is of relevance to NOC. To this end, NOC provides a scientific adviser role to the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office, supporting the UK Government (Defra and FCDO specifically) in developing UK positions to ensure the UK Government is cognisant of how activities on the high seas are undertaken, help minimise the impact of the BBNJ Treaty on marine scientific research on the high seas and advise on initiatives within other international endeavours, including in relation to capacity building and the transfer of marine technology.

NOC is an active member of the European Marine Board (EMB) and provides the NERC-UKRI representative. The EMB is an independent advisory body and provides a forum for research institutes, academic consortia and research funders from across Europe to discuss scientific developments at the strategic level. The Board horizon scans and develops shared positions on priority areas where science can influence policy, nationally and within the EU. The Board is supported by a secretariat which delivers position papers, future science briefs, policy briefs and science commentaries.

The EMB establishes bespoke, time-limited working groups to work on specific publications. NOC uses its experts and colleagues in the broader UK marine community to ensure that UK researchers can exert influence within a European forum.

As the European component of the IOC-UNESCO's Global Ocean Observing System (GOOS), EuroGOOS provides a forum that identifies priorities, enhances cooperation and promotes the benefits of operational oceanography to ensure sustained observations are made in Europe's seas, underpinning a suite of fit-for-purpose products and services for marine and maritime end-users.

NOC is one of three UK members of EuroGOOS, the two others being the UK Met Office and Centre for Environment, Fisheries and Aquaculture Science (Cefas). Between the three agencies, the UK is well represented in influencing and delivering ocean observations in Europe's regional seas.

POGO is a forum created by directors and leaders of major oceanographic institutions around the world to coordinate, jointly plan and promote long-term cooperation of global ocean observing programmes.

As a key contributor to coastal and open ocean observation programmes, NOC uses its experience and influence in support of a global initiative to ensure long-term ocean observations are recognised for their societal benefits.