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JCOMM
Background of Joint WMO/ICO Comission for Oceanography and Marine Meteorology (JCOMM): As a step in the process of responding to new needs for marine meteorological and oceanographic data, as expressed in particular by the global observing systems (GOOS, GCOS, GTOS) as well as continuing to serve the traditional users of such data and services, IOC and WMO agreed to study the possibility of improved cooperation in the area of marine data collection, analysis, integration, and dissemination. These organizations have been cooperating for many years and had jointly established the Integrated Global Ocean Services System (IGOSS). The needs for the future demand even closer and more effective cooperation. The Executive Council (EC) of the World Meteorological Organization (WMO) (EC-XLVIII) in June 1996 and the Executive Council (EC) of the Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission (IOC) in October 1996 agreed that a study should be prepared on closer collaboration between WMO and IOC with a view to possible co-sponsorship of the Commission for Marine Meteorology (CMM) of WMO. A preliminary report was prepared for the twelfth session of CMM in March 1997, which recommended that the study be continued on closer cooperation between IOC and CMM and a detailed proposal be prepared for the governing bodies of WMO and IOC. WMO EC-XLIX in June 1997 approved this recommendation to continue with a full and detailed study with a view to having a single, joint WMO/IOC report available for consideration by the two ECs in 1998. The 19th session of the IOC Assembly in July 1997 endorsed the completion of a joint study report for presentation to the 1998 EC session. This background information contains a summary of the main discussion and recommendations of the report prepared by joint IOC and WMO consultants. The full report (in English only) will be available at the session for consultation. For more information, link to "http://ioc.unesco.org/goos/jcomm.htm#back" [Summary provided by GOOS]