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<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Segoe UI",sans-serif">Dear colleagues,<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Segoe UI",sans-serif"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Segoe UI",sans-serif">We invite you to a meeting to deliberate on the Status of Ocean Observation Platforms in Africa and the Adjacent Island States, on Wednesday 23
March 2022 from 14h00-16h00 Hrs. EAT.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Segoe UI",sans-serif;color:black"><o:p> </o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Segoe UI",sans-serif;color:black">Please register at the following Zoom link:<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Segoe UI",sans-serif;color:black"><a href="https://unesco-org.zoom.us/j/94460431469" target="_blank"><span lang="EN-GB">https://unesco-org.zoom.us/j/94460431469</span></a><o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Segoe UI",sans-serif;color:black"><o:p> </o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Segoe UI",sans-serif;color:black">Simultaneous interpretation (English/French) will be available.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:justify"><b><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Segoe UI",sans-serif;color:black"><o:p> </o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:justify"><b><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Segoe UI",sans-serif;color:black">*****************************************************************************************************<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:justify"><b><span style="font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Segoe UI",sans-serif;color:black">Background<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:justify"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Segoe UI",sans-serif;color:black"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:justify"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Segoe UI",sans-serif;color:black">In 2016 and 2021, the UNESCO/IOC’s Sub Commission for Africa and the Adjacent Island States (IOCAFRICA) undertook comparative
studies to assess the status of ocean observation network in Africa and the Adjacent Island States. The studies covered the Western Indian Ocean and Red Sea regions, the Benguela Current Large Marine Ecosystem (BCLME) and Guinea Current Large Marine Ecosystem
(GCLME), the Canary Current LME and Mediterranean regions. Specifically the studies focused on:
<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left:36.0pt;text-align:justify;text-indent:-18.0pt;mso-list:l1 level1 lfo1">
<![if !supportLists]><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Wingdings;color:black"><span style="mso-list:Ignore">ü<span style="font:7.0pt "Times New Roman"">
</span></span></span><![endif]><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Segoe UI",sans-serif;color:black">Undertaking an inventory of the existing ocean observation capacity, including the state / functionality of existing stations and platforms,
both coastal and offshore;<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left:36.0pt;text-align:justify;text-indent:-18.0pt;mso-list:l1 level1 lfo1">
<![if !supportLists]><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Wingdings;color:black"><span style="mso-list:Ignore">ü<span style="font:7.0pt "Times New Roman"">
</span></span></span><![endif]><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Segoe UI",sans-serif;color:black">Identifying the gaps that need to be filled;<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left:36.0pt;text-align:justify;text-indent:-18.0pt;mso-list:l1 level1 lfo1">
<![if !supportLists]><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Wingdings;color:black"><span style="mso-list:Ignore">ü<span style="font:7.0pt "Times New Roman"">
</span></span></span><![endif]><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Segoe UI",sans-serif;color:black">Outlining the key ocean and coastal processes that need to be addressed;<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left:36.0pt;text-align:justify;text-indent:-18.0pt;mso-list:l1 level1 lfo1">
<![if !supportLists]><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Wingdings;color:black"><span style="mso-list:Ignore">ü<span style="font:7.0pt "Times New Roman"">
</span></span></span><![endif]><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Segoe UI",sans-serif;color:black">The core variables to be observed/measured and at what frequency, possible cruise lines to cover the processes and during what period of
the year<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left:36.0pt;text-align:justify"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Segoe UI",sans-serif;color:black"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:justify"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Segoe UI",sans-serif;color:black">The subsequent reports of the studies outlined a list of proposals, which could potentially be adopted to improve the ocean
observation network in the region. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:justify"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Segoe UI",sans-serif;color:black">Further, in the recently concluded Pre-Conference Workshops for the African Kick-Off Conference for the UN Decade of Ocean
Science for Sustainable Development (January 2022), the participants proposed a list of actions/areas for intervention, aimed at improving the functionality and efficiency of the region’s ocean observation network.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:justify"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Segoe UI",sans-serif;color:black">This webinar session is a culmination of the aforementioned studies. It will provide a platform for different stakeholders
in the region to discuss the reports of the studies, while incorporating the recommendations of the preconference workshops to develop region-specific actions that will contribute towards addressing ocean-observation needs, challenges and opportunities in
the region. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:justify"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Segoe UI",sans-serif;color:black"> <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:justify"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Segoe UI",sans-serif;color:black">The Objectives of the Webinar are to:<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left:36.0pt;text-align:justify;text-indent:-18.0pt;mso-list:l0 level1 lfo2">
<![if !supportLists]><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Wingdings;color:black"><span style="mso-list:Ignore">ü<span style="font:7.0pt "Times New Roman"">
</span></span></span><![endif]><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Segoe UI",sans-serif;color:black">Share the findings of the two surveys, with a description of existing ocean observation capacity, including the state / functionality of
existing stations and platforms in the region<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left:36.0pt;text-align:justify;text-indent:-18.0pt;mso-list:l0 level1 lfo2">
<![if !supportLists]><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Wingdings;color:black"><span style="mso-list:Ignore">ü<span style="font:7.0pt "Times New Roman"">
</span></span></span><![endif]><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Segoe UI",sans-serif;color:black">Provide a platform for stakeholders to share experiences and deliberate on ways to improve the ocean observing network in the region and
address existing gaps<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left:36.0pt;text-align:justify;text-indent:-18.0pt;mso-list:l0 level1 lfo2">
<![if !supportLists]><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Wingdings;color:black"><span style="mso-list:Ignore">ü<span style="font:7.0pt "Times New Roman"">
</span></span></span><![endif]><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Segoe UI",sans-serif;color:black">Generate and support discussions and collaboration between stakeholders engaged in ocean observation<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:justify"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Segoe UI",sans-serif;color:black"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:justify"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Segoe UI",sans-serif;color:black">Please refer to the attached document for additional details, including the programme, of the webinar.
<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:justify"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Segoe UI",sans-serif;color:black"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:justify"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Segoe UI",sans-serif;color:black">Best regards,<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color:#1F497D"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color:#1F497D"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
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ODIDO<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background:white;vertical-align:baseline"><span lang="EN-GB" style="color:#2E74B5">IOC Coordinator in Africa<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background:white;vertical-align:baseline"><span lang="EN-GB" style="color:#2E74B5">IOC’s Sub Commission for Africa & the Adjacent Island States (IOCAFRICA)<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background:white;vertical-align:baseline"><span lang="EN-GB" style="color:#2E74B5">UNESCO Regional Office for Eastern Africa<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background:white;vertical-align:baseline"><span lang="EN-GB" style="color:#2E74B5">P.O. Box 30592-00100, Nairobi, Kenya<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background:white;vertical-align:baseline"><span lang="EN-GB" style="color:#2E74B5">Tel: +254 20 7621244<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background:white;vertical-align:baseline"><span style="color:#2E74B5"><a href="http://ioc.unesco.org/" target="_blank"><span lang="EN-GB" style="color:#2E74B5">http://ioc.unesco.org</span></a></span><span lang="FR" style="font-family:"Times New Roman",serif;color:#2E74B5"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color:#1F497D"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:justify"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Segoe UI",sans-serif;color:black"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
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