EFFECTIVENESS OF THE COMMITTEE ON OCEANOGRAPHY 153 



to navigational aids, the distribution of radio frequencies for oceanographic research, and the 

 operation of recording stations submerged in international waters - here are further problems 

 the solution of which depends, to varying degrees, on collaboration between nations. 



During the last few years, governments. National Commissions for Unesco and governmental 

 and non- governmental scientific organizations have frequently drawn Unesco' s attention to these 

 problems and invited it to extend its programme of marine sciences. 



Realizing the need for dynamic and co-ordinated international action in this field, Unesco's 

 General Conference, at its tenth session, held in Paris in November 1958, adopted a resolution 

 (resolution 2.42) which provided for the convening of an intergovernmental conference on oceano- 

 graphic research . This conference - in the preparation of which the United Nations, FAO, WMO 

 and IAEA were closely associated, and I should like to thank them once again - was held in 

 Copenhagen in July 1960. It considered and approved a body of measures designed, on the one 

 hand, to ensure the common use by the Member States concerned of international services for 

 oceanographic research and the training of personnel and, on the other hand, the immediate 

 application of an international research and training programme in the marine sciences. 



The principal recommendation of the Copenhagen Conference was that an Intergovernmental 

 Oceanographic Commission be set up with the help, and within the framework, of Unesco, with the 

 task of recommending to Member States concerted action in oceanographic research. 



At its eleventh session, in November- December 1960, the General Conference adopted the 

 recommendations of the Copenhagen Conference and set up within the framework of Unesco the 

 Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission. The General Conference approved the funds 

 needed to run the Commission, and in particular those required to set up an Office of Oceanography 

 to assure its Secretariat. 



The office is attached to the Department of Natural Sciences of Unesco. This administrative 

 arrangement will, I feel sure, make it possible for the work of the Commission and of Unesco, 

 whose programme embraces activities closely related to the Commission's field of work, especi- 

 ally as regards promoting the development of research institutions and the training of research 

 workers, to progress harmoniously, side by side. It is, in my opinion, highly desirable that the 

 plans to be drawn up and executed by your Commission and Unesco's plans should be systemati- 

 cally but flexibly co-ordinated, while at the same time, as its sponsors requested, the Commission 

 should be guaranteed that freedom of action which is essential to the advancement of its work. 



Unesco looks upon your Commission as an instrument which can be of great assistance in 

 solving those problems of oceanography for which, as I said before, concerted international action 

 is imperative. In performing this task, you may be assured of Unesco's assistance and support. 

 However, it should, no doubt, be said that there are many other problems which need to be 

 examined by scientists, institutions or specialized laboratories, research work in which it is not 

 the Commission's function to direct or to co-ordinate. Nor, it must be remembered, is it the 

 Commission's duty to carry out meteorological research - that is a function of WMO - nor 

 fishery research, which comes within the field of competence of FAO. 



It is, moreover, desirable that in executing its programmes the Commission should co- 

 operate closely with other institutions of the United Nations family, particularly the United Nations 

 Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), the World Meteorological Organization (WMO), the 

 International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) and all other competent intergovernmental and non- 

 governmental organizations, respecting their various fields of competence, but working together 

 with them to arrange meetings and other forms of useful collaboration. 



What I have just said needed to be said, I think, but it does not alter the fact that the tasks 

 which your Commission is called upon to perform and the opportunities that lie before it within 

 the field of action which I have just indicated are as^wide as the oceans themselves and are of the 

 utmost importance for the advancement of science and the good of mankind. Unesco, therefore, 

 is greatly honoured by your presence, and cordially wishes you success in your endeavours. 

 With high hopes, therefore, I declare the first session of the Intergovernmental Oceanographic 

 Commission open. 



