Continued funding is being provided to partially support specific activities of the International Association of the Physical Sciences of the Ocean (IAPSO) Secretariat. IAPSO is one of seven Associations of the International Union of Geodesy and Geophysics (IUGG) which in turn is constituted within the International Commission of Scientific Unions (ICSU). The United States is a Member of these Unions and the NSF is a Representative agency. The Office of the Secretary General performs the day-to-day functions of IAPSO, involving communications within and external to IAPSO, the execution of policies and directives, and it has fiscal responsibilities for the Association's operation. Much of the Secretariat's work involves preparation for, conduct of, and reporting on assemblies, meetings, symposia, and workshops. Since its founding in 1919, the primary goal of IAPSO has been to "...promote the study of scientific problems relating to the oceans and the interactions taking place at the sea floor, coastal, and atmospheric boundaries insofar as such research is conducted by the use of mathematics, physics, and chemistry." IAPSO activities are scientifically relevant and seek to encourage participation of young scientists and scientists from developing countries by providing opportunities to develop working relationships with established U.S. oceanographers. Partial support is also being provided by Office of Naval Research and NOAA.
