The UN Commission on Sustainable Development (CSD), at its fourth (1996) and seventh (1999) sessions recognized GESAMP as a “source of agreed, independent scientific advice” but invited GESAMP’s Sponsoring Organizations to review GESAMP 30 years after its establishment “with a view to improving its effectiveness and comprehensiveness” and “establishing a means for GESAMP to interact with scientific representatives of Governments and major groups”. Consequently, the Sponsoring Organizations commissioned in 2000 an independent and in-depth review to evaluate how GESAMP might be improved in light of CSD’s concerns, and, more fundamentally, whether GESAMP is still both relevant and necessary.
The review, completed in July 2001 by a four-person Evaluation Team, strongly recommended that GESAMP should continue. It also recommended major changes in GESAMP’s modus operandi, products, and product delivery, concluding that such changes “would result in GESAMP becoming the world’s.rst choice for marine environment protection advice and guidance.” Detailed recommendations from the review provided the building blocks for a new structure for GESAMP.
Subsequently, in 2002, a consultant was commissioned to prepare this Strategic Vision. The cost of the evaluation of GESAMP and the Strategic Vision/Plan, totalling US$85 000, was borne by the Sponsoring Organizations. The Strategic Vision is published by the Administrative Secretary of GESAMP on behalf of the Sponsoring Organizations. Layout, formatting and desktop publishing of this publication was done by Ms S. Borghesi of FAO’s Fisheries Department. Several images are from the UN Atlas of the Oceans (http://www.oceansatlas.org). This publication was printed through IMO, and can be obtained by contacting IMO at the address below or at the GESAMP website: www.gesamp.imo.org.
IMO Technical Secretary of GESAMP
4 Albert Embankment
London SE1 7SR
United Kingdom
Tel: +44 (0)20-77357611
Fax: +44 (0)20-75873210
Email: [email protected]
