The Philippine has won a seat in the Executive Council of the Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission (IOC) during the 28th session of its assembly at UNESCO headquarters in Paris, France last month. It will sit for two years - from 2015 to 2017. Established in 1960, the IOC has functional autonomy within UNESCO. It is the only competent organization for marine science within the UN system. Its purpose is to promote international cooperation and to coordinate programs in research, services and capacity-building to learn more about, the nature and resources of the ocean and coastal areas. The IOC is recognized through the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) as the competent international organization in the field of Marine Science.

Lee-Brago, P. (2015, July 8). Phl wins seat in marine science organization. Philippine Star, p. 15.