The Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission (IOC) of UNESCO coordinates and facilitates ocean research among governments. A total of 129 countries comprise the membership; the United States is a key participant and strong supporter of IOC activities. The IOC develops and promotes international research to improve global understanding of ocean processes and their relationship to the sustainable development and stewardship of ocean resources. This project constitutes the NSF portion of support to the Ocean Science Section of the IOC, including development of a new program on Multidisciplinary Science and Natural Resources and an international initiative to examine critical issues of land-atmosphere-ocean biogeochemistry.
