CIOCS Achieves IOI-USA Focal Point Status

In November, 2010, the International Ocean Institute named the Collaborative Institute for Oceans, Climate and Security (CIOCS) as a “satellite” office—or Focal Point-- of IOI-USA. The Collaborative Institute will contribute to IOI-USA through research and communications on regional and local-level ocean issues in the Northeast.

Founded in 1972 by Professor Elisabeth Mann Borgese, The International Ocean Institute (IOI) is a knowledge-based, non-governmental, non-profit international organization devoted to the sustainable governance and development of the oceans. It operates through the activities of its Headquarters residing in Malta and Operational Centers located in 25 countries around the world. In its early days, IOI provided major inputs to the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea.

IOI's strength lies in its training programs for coastal communities. Through such programs, the IOI Network promotes sustainable use of ocean space and resources through awareness creation, education, information dissemination, research, and community initiatives. IOI produces research and policy-related publications dealing with ocean governance and ocean science. As an International non-governmental body with special consultative status at the United Nations, the International Ocean Institute works to uphold and expand the principle of the common heritage as enshrined in the United Nations Convention of the Law of the Sea.

Established in 2006 by agreement with IOI headquarters in Malta, IOI-USA is the 26th IOI operational center, and the only one in the US. Its mission is to provide an international center of excellence in education, training, development, and capacity building, with particular interest on coastal areas. IOI-USA benefits greatly from its partnership with the University of South Florida’s (USF) College of Marine Science and USF St. Petersburg. Together, they partner to host IOI-USA. The IOI-USA seeks to develop other regional focal point offices in the United States to maximize the capabilities of all partners, both in their relationships with academic institutions and their expertise in ocean governance and policy.

The Collaborative Institute and the University of Massachusetts Boston are now part of the network of IOI facilities throughout the world, including locations in Australia, Brazil, Canada, China, Costa Rica, Cuba, Egypt, Fiji, Germany, India, Indonesia, Iran, Japan, Kenya, Malta, Nigeria, Romania, Russia, Senegal, Slovenia, South Africa, Sweden, Thailand, and the Ukraine.

The Collaborative Institute looks forward to working with IOI and IOI-USA to develop regional and international initiatives.