The agreement between the UNESCO-IOC and the UNDP/GEF Agulhas and Somali Current Large Marine Ecosystem (LME) project aims to coordinate efforts of the two bodies on ocean observing systems, data and information sharing and dissemination, GIS development, capacity building and oceanographic research.
The livelihood and security of 55 million people depend on the LME, according to UNESCO-IOC.
12 December 2011: The Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission of the UN Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO-IOC) has signed an Aide Memoire with the Agulhas and Somali Current Large Marine Ecosystem (LME) project of the UN Development Programme (UNDP)/Global Environment Facility (GEF).
The agreement aims to coordinate efforts of the two bodies on ocean observing systems, data and information sharing and dissemination, GIS development, capacity building and oceanographic research. The geographic area where the two parties share a common interest is Africa and the western Indian Ocean. The agreement, therefore, makes special mention of the newly-created IOC sub-commission for Africa and adjacent island States.
According to UNESCO-IOC, an estimated 55 million people live in the countries that border the Agulhas and Somali Current LME, and their livelihood and security depend on marine and coastal resources. [UNESCO-IOC Press Release]