The IOC Ocean Best Practices System (OBPS), launched in 2019 and expanded in 2025, aims to strengthen interoperability and coordination across IOC programmes. Member States are invited to nominate experts by 21 January 2026 to join the new Steering Group, which will support the entire ocean data value chain from observation to services (objectives and membership in annex 1). This group will play a key role in establishing a universal and accessible IOC platform for best practices, aligned with the IOC Medium‑Term Strategy (2022–2029). A maximum of 10 volunteer experts will be selected based on their skills and balance in geography, generation, and gender, for a renewable two‑year term. The IOC Secretariat will thoroughly review all submissions (nomination form attached), and the Executive Secretary will appoint members by 31 January 2026.

Nomination forms, duly completed and signed, along with a motivation letter, should be sent not later than 21 January 2026 by email to the OBPS Co-Chair Dr Rebecca Zitoun (rebecca.zitoun@utas.edu.au) with copy to Patricia Martin Cabrera (p.cabrera@unesco.org) and Olena Titorchuk (o.titorchuk@unesco.org)

English only. The nomination form is also available as a Word file.