THE INTERGOVERNMENTAL OCEANOGRAPHIC COMMISSION OF UNESCO AND REGIONALCAPACITY BUILDING

This paper concentrates on the past and present interaction between th e Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission, donor organisations and developing countries in the development of regional programmes for cre ating and supporting marine science capabilities. The Global Ocean Obs erving System and Integrated Coastal Zone Management in relation to fi sheries, marine pollution and climate/sea level changes require region al input which depends on South-South and North-South cooperation. The Indian Ocean with the Eastern African region, serve as an example for an ongoing process of capacity building and growing partnership in ma rine science. Through the Intergovernmental Oceanographic commission, a strong and very beneficial cooperation was established, with several donors, in particular with the Swedish Agency for Research Cooperatio n with Developing Countries. This tripartite partnership of (a) a regi onal body with a regionally driven programme, (b) a global coordinatio n mechanism in the form of the Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commiss ion, and(c) a multi-lateral donor in the form of the Swedish Agency fo r Research Go-operation with Developing Countries is in fact a model f or regional development aid. The need for strong leadership of regiona l bodies is emphasised including a formal intersessional mechanism in the form of a bureau. (C) 1998 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserv ed.