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GESAMP Presentation

New: Joint statement from SCOR and GESAMP on Deliberate Nutrient Additions to the Ocean
The Scientific Committee on Oceanic Research (SCOR)and GESAMP have released a joint statement regarding Deliberate Nutrient Additions to the Ocean. For any further questions regarding this statement, please refer to the contacts at the end of the document.
The statement can be downloaded here.

New: 35th Session of GESAMP, 13-16 May 2008, Accra, Ghana
The 35th Session of GESAMP will be held at IGCC (Interim Guinea Current Commission) in Accra, Ghana, 13-16 May, 2008. The session will be open to GESAMP Members, Sponsoring Organizations and invited observers.
Information and meeting documents will be posted here.

GESAMP Presentation


GESAMP is currently undergoing an extensive revitalization process, following an independent, in-depth review of GESAMP in 2001, and a substantial financial support from Sida (Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency). More information can be found in the publication "The New GESAMP: Science for Sustainable Oceans" .

The Group of Experts on Scientific Aspects of Marine Environmental Protection (GESAMP) is an advisory body, established in 1969, that advises the United Nations (UN) system on the scientific aspects of marine environmental protection. At present it is jointly sponsored by eight UN organizations with responsibilities relating to the marine environment as a mechanism for coordination and collaboration among them. GESAMP functions are to conduct and support marine environmental assessments, to undertake in-depth studies, analyses, and reviews of specific topics, and to identify emerging issues regarding the state of the marine environment. GESAMP itself consists of ideally 25-30 experts, drawn from a wide range of relevant disciplines, who act in an independent individual capacity. Studies and assessments are usually carried out by dedicated working groups, most of whose members are not sitting members of GESAMP but part of the broader GESAMP network.

Who are its UN sponsors?

IMO, FAO, UNESCO-IOC, WMO (since 1968), IAEA (since 1969), UN (since 1971), UNEP (since 1977), and UNIDO (since 2006).

How is it managed?

GESAMP is presently managed through an Executive Committee consisting of a representative of each Sponsoring Organization (i.e. Technical Secretary) and the Chairperson and Vice-Chairperson of GESAMP. A lead organization, currently IMO, hosts an Administrative Secretariat which is presently responsible for general administration on behalf of all the Sponsoring Organizations; the Administrative Secretary also chairs the Executive Committee. The primary functions of the Executive Committee are to plan and approve the GESAMP budget and work plan, select members of GESAMP from a pool of experts, propose provisional agendas for GESAMP sessions, and adopt terms of reference for its working groups.


Its mission?

To provide authoritative, independent, interdisciplinary scientific advice to organizations and member Governments to support the protection and sustainable use of the marine environment.

Its tasks?

To fullfil its mission, as part of its Work Programme it will upon request:
  • Integrate and synthesize the results of regional and thematic assessments and scientific studies to support global assessments of the marine environment;
  • Provide scientific and technical guidance on the design and execution of marine environmental assessments;
  • Provide scientific reviews, analyses, and advice on specific topics relevant to the condition of the marine environment, its investigation, protection, and/or management.
In addition GESAMP will regularly:
  • Provide an overview of the marine environmental monitoring, assessment, and related activities of UN agencies and advise on how these activities might be improved and better integrated and coordinated;
  • Identify new and emerging issues regarding the degradation of the marine environment that are of relevance to Governments and Sponsoring Organizations.