A Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) has been signed between the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) and the International Ocean Institute (IOI). The agreement provides a framework of cooperation to achieve the shared goals and objectives of UNEP and IOI, especially regarding the work of the Global Environment Monitoring System for the Ocean and Coasts (GEMS Ocean) Programme which aims at providing relevant open and accessible data, analysis and information, guiding actions to protect and sustainably use marine and coastal resources.
The IOI is a knowledge asset holder partner of GEMS Ocean, collaborating in a holistic approach through the growing partnership. The jointly developed activities will focus on establishing Ocean literacy initiatives, and capacity building activities with particular attention to developing economies such as Small Island Developing States (SIDS).