International Ocean Institute Thailand Operational Center (IOI-Thailand)

Name of Centre:
International Ocean Institute Thailand Operational Center (IOI-Thailand)

IOI Thailand was established by the Thai Marine Policy and Restoration Committee under the Office of Prime Minister in 2000 and has been transferred to the Department of Marine and Coastal Resources, Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment in 2002. It was hosted by Thailand's National Disaster Warning Center during 2006-2009. The current host institute: Foundation of National Disaster Warning Council (FNDWC)

Aims/Objectives:
IOI-Thailand was established to promote education, training and research to enhance the sustainable development of marine and coastal resources and the quality of marine management, protection, and preservation. Thailand as a developing country, is playing an important role in the South-East Asia Region with respect to the promotion and development of marine resources as well as proper protection of the coastal and marine environment. It is recognized the leading role of Thailand in the management of marine and coastal resources and fisheries for sustainable development based on good governance, integrated maritime policy and coastal community based participatory approaches. Establishment of IOI-Thailand will be required in meeting national and regional marine and coasts related objectives and for the harmonization of national instruments, and existing international agreements, inter alia UNCLOS and Agenda 21 of UNCED 1992.

General functions and programme of OC:
IOI-Thailand carries out training, research, and other activities as agreed upon by the parties in support of the achievement of their objectives and as endorsed by the IOI Governing Board. Such training and research will be interdisciplinary and inter-sectoral, and cover inter alia:

1. Exclusive Economic Zone and coastal community management, and development of related resources for the sustainable livelihoods of those residing in coastal areas;
2. Fisheries and coastal aquaculture management;
3. Sustainable development of seabed resources;
4. Islands resources development and protection;
5. Management of ports and harbors, and sustainable development of large coastal urban centers;
6. Marine pollution abatement, prevention, and control;
7. Advancement of marine science and technology and related training;
8. Development of national marine related legislation and marine policy and building of national infrastructure;
9. National and regional multi-hazards disaster early warning systems, shoreline change and erosion, sea level rise due to impacts of climate change, community awareness and resilience, and community and school-based adaptive management;
10. Marine and other related forms of eco-tourism; and
11. Regional and international co-operation and co-ordination.

Any specific areas of interest of OC or special partnerships:

1. IOI-Thailand cooperates with FNDWC as a center of information for all types of natural disasters for public warning services through network of communications to protect life and property; to establish center of volunteer to be network of operation and provide assistances to general public; to coordinate with governmental interagency departments and private sectors and international organizations for information exchange due to impacts of natural disasters; to search for coordination and collaboration with organizations and public organizations to assist disadvantage groups, to implement and support necessary projects under the Royal Patronage to mitigate impacts of global warming, and to promote humanitarian aids for Thai society during crisis and to promote good will and dedication;
2. IOI-Thailand cooperates with Thailand's government interagency departments, private sector, academic institutions and NGOs to achieve IOI mission and goals;
3. IOI-Thailand collaborates with public and private sectors to implement the World Ocean Day activities.

Credit : www.ioinst.org