Dear Ocean Fraternity,

I am sure you are aware that the United Nations has proclaimed the upcoming decade (2021-2030) as the Decade of Ocean Science for Sustainable Development and in this connection, Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission (IOC) of UNESCO is organising  several planning regional workshops to finalise the science action plan.  

The Regional Planning Workshop for the Northern/Central Indian Ocean countries as well as ROPME sea area is to be held at Chennai, India from January 8-10, 2020,  and is to be conducted by Ministry of Earth Sciences, Govt. of India, though our Institute, National Institute of Ocean Technology and as a member of the IOC Executive Planning Group (EPG) constituted to prepare the activities to be taken up during the decade, it is my pleasure to invite you to the workshop.  

A Coastal vulnerability leadership workshop will also be held as a prelude to this event on the 6-7 January 2020 by IOC Regional Committee for the Central Indian Ocean (IOCINDIO) and you are also invited to take part in this event. Limited travel support is available for participants from IOCINDIO member countries and can be availed for participating in the workshops.  

The local hospitality for both workshops will be taken care of by India. The formal invitation from IOC is awaited and will be sent to you soon. This mail is to inform you about these upcoming important events and requesting you to kindly confirm your participation at the earliest. 

Regards
Atmanand