IOC/B-48 page 5 



the lOCj consisting of senior representatives of the 

 Executive Heads of Unesco, PAO and WMO, meeting together 

 with the Chairman of the Commission. Other members of the 

 UN System could adhere to this Board when they were pre- 

 pared to contribute to the Commission's Secretariat, to 

 carry out their own programmes to sustain the work of the 

 Commission and to use the Commission for advice and review 

 in the area of marine science affairs. 



The purpose of the Board would be to harmonize the 

 programmes of the agencies and of the Commission. Among 

 its functions would be selection of staff for the Commission's 

 Secretariat and allocation of funds related to the Commission's 

 programme, as well as exchange of views on the most effective 

 ways to facilitate the Commission's work and the related 

 activities of the agencies. 



It was pointed out that sponsoring agencies have the 

 right to introduce items into the agenda of IOC Sessions and 

 it was suggested that they may wish to assist in the dissemi- 

 nation of invitations to IOC Sessions in order to broaden 

 suitably the degree and character of national participation. 



In considering the organization of the Commission's work, 

 the value of reglonallzation was recognized. Where a regional 

 body exists that is competent and willing to carry out pro- 

 grammes of Interest to IOC this can be used to enhance 

 efficiency. Similarly , the competence of an existing body 

 may be broadened to permit it to carry out the work. Where 

 a suitable body does not exist, it might, after consultation 

 among interested organizations, be created. At the same time 

 it was noted that there are practical difficulties in developing 

 adequate regional bodies in some parts of the world. The 

 consultants recommended that the regional development of IOC 

 activities be given careful study by the IOC Bureau and Consult- 

 ative Council. It further expressed the hope that, through 

 the activities of a broadened IOC, a rationalization of 

 regional marine science activities could be achieved. 



Consideration was given to the desirability of enlarging 

 the IOC Bureau from its present three members to a total of 

 five. This appears necessary because of the proposed role 

 of the Chairman and Bureau of IOC vis-a-vis the Secretariat 

 and because the broadened Interests of the Commission would 

 require a broader competence in the Bureau. Although the 

 Vice-Chairmen might chair session committees, as proposed 

 by one member state, it was agreed that such assignment 

 would be premature before more experience with such committees 

 has been gained. 



./ . . 



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