World Meteorological Organization

TERMS OF REFERENCE OF THE JOINT WMO-IOC COLLABORATIVE BOARD
( as approved at Cg-18 Resolution 9 and IOC Resolution XXX-2)
Purpose statement
The Joint WMO-IOC Collaborative Board will maximize opportunities to co-design, cdevelop and implement joint scientific and technical work, across oceanography and
meteorology, that ultimately will improve the provision of information and services for
societal benefit.
It will suggest initiatives to improve end-to-end links in the value chain from observations,
through data management, to forecasting systems and Earth system prediction, to
services and end user engagement, and enhance connections with research programmes
to promote innovation.
By collaborating across both the oceanographic and meteorological communities, the
Collaborative Board will provide strategic advice on programme co-design, implementation
and governance in light of relevant long-term goals and objectives. The Collaborative
Board will influence how the WMO and IOC jointly enable the delivery of relevant
meteorological and oceanographic information and services on the open ocean, in coastal
zones and in high latitudes. In addition, while respecting governance, it will provide
guidance and advice around technical and scientific issues to optimize the complementarity
of activities, including through generating common projects.
The terms of reference of the Joint WMO-IOC Collaborative Board shall be:
Mandate
(a) To coordinate, through a quadrennial WMO-IOC collaborative strategy, the
collaborative development, integration and implementation of the activities related to
oceanographic and meteorological observation, data and information management,
services, modelling and forecasting systems as well as research and capacity development
carried out by WMO and IOC,
(b) To provide the WMO and IOC governing bodies with strategic advice on joint work
between WMO and IOC to achieve relevant objectives, including proposing new actions,
as required, e.g. by preparing coordinated draft resolutions and/or decisions for both
the WMO and IOC governing bodies,
(c) To review work plans and provide technical and scientific recommendations for WMO
and IOC subsidiary bodies and programmes, including proposing cross-cutting projects,
and
(d) To engage in liaison or consultation required with relevant intergovernmental and
international stakeholders.
Composition
The membership of the Collaborative Board shall be constituted by:
(a) Ten representatives of WMO and IOC scientific and technical bodies and
programmes, including co-sponsored entities:
(i) Five designated by the WMO President, representing the leadership of activities
in observing system, data processing and management, forecasting systems,
services and applications, and research; from a meteorological perspective;
(ii) Five designated by the IOC Chairperson, representing the leadership of
activities in observing system, data and information management, forecasting
systems, early warning and services, and research; from an oceanographic
perspective;
(b) At large members of the WMO Executive Council and representatives of IOC Member
States, taking into account overall geographical balance:
(i) Three members of the WMO Executive Council designated by the WMO
President;
(ii) Three representatives of IOC Member States designated by the IOC
Chairperson;
(c) Two co-chairs:
(i) a WMO Vice-President, designated by the WMO President; and
(ii) an IOC Vice-Chairperson, designated by the IOC Chairperson.
Working procedures
The co-chairs shall hold their office for two years, with the possibility to be re-appointed
for a second term.
Other members shall hold their office for four years, or based on the duration of their term
as leader in a WMO, IOC or joint activity.
The co-chairs shall represent the Collaborative Board in the sessions of the WMO and IOC
governing bodies.
In principle, the Collaborative Board shall meet in person every year, in order to prepare
recommendations for WMO and IOC governing bodies. Intersessional work should be
carried out by correspondence or virtual means.
Members of the Collaborative Board will work collaboratively across and within their
respective constituent bodies and activities on WMO and IOC observations, data,
forecasting systems, services and research activities, to achieve the objectives stated in
the Collaborative Board’s mandate.
The Collaborative Board may establish time-bound substructures for the discharge of
specific tasks during an intersessional period. Such temporary substructures shall be
discontinued at the end of every intersessional period, or may be re-established.
Chairs of other relevant WMO and IOC regional structures, working groups, panels and
expert teams, as well as individual experts, may be invited by either co-chair in
consultation with the other to attend meetings of the Collaborative Board as required by
the agenda.
Representatives from other United Nations or international organizations may be invited
as observers to the Collaborative Board as deemed appropriate by either co-chair in
consultation with the other