Since 2005, VLIZ hosts and supports the Project Office for the International Oceanographic Data and Information Exchange (IODE PO) Programme of UNESCO’s ‘Intergovernmental Oceano- graphic Commission’ (IOC). The ‘UNESCO/IOC Project Office for IODE’ is also the Secretariat of the IOC’s Capacity Development section.
In 2024, the OceanTeacher Global Academy (OTGA), hosted by the Project Office, delivered 57 training courses in 4 languages to more than 4,200 learners from over 142 countries. OTGA coordinates a network of 17 Regional and Specialized training centers, which provide online, face-to-face and blended courses in a range of ocean topics enabling development of human capacity globally. The past year, OTGA collaborated with VLIZ experts to develop and deliver training on various topics such as Ocean Data Management, Biological Data Management, Contributing and Publishing Data into EMODnet, and NAGOYA Protocol and Access and Benefit Sharing under the Convention on Biological Diversity. OTGA supported VLIZ with activities of the National Decade Committee (NDC) for Belgium and Flanders, focusing on capacity development of early carrier ocean professionals (ECOPs) and Blue Skills.
The Ocean Biodiversity Information System (OBIS), which manages a global database containing data on the distribution, abundance and diversity of all marine species, published in 2024 13 million new species observation records, totalling 136 million records from 5,439 data sets. VLIZ manages the European OBIS node, EurOBIS, contributing no less than 1,217 datasets and 44 million records to OBIS. The VLIZ data centre continues to be actively involved in OBIS activities such as vocabulary standardization and taxonomic quality control and regular consultations take place regarding managing molecular data and developing species distribution models. OBIS is also a partner in the Horizon Europe project DTO-BioFlow which is coordinated by VLIZ. Staff from the VLIZ research department were members of the scientific advisory board of two OBIS led UNESCO projects related to biodiversity monitoring using eDNA (PacMAN and eDNA expeditions). The VLIZ library supports OBIS by documenting OBIS-cited papers, with 180 added in 2024.
The ODIS Catalogue of Sources (ODISCat) provides information on products and visualizes the landscape of ocean data and information sources. VLIZ contributes to ODISCat by populating it with high-quality, peer-reviewed marine datasets, while ODISCat enables VLIZ to connect its datasets with other oceanographic databases worldwide. ODISCat will/can be a tool for VLIZ to foster collaboration between marine scientists, policymakers, and educators. Further effort is done to promote, improve, populate, quality control and use this database.
The Ocean Data and Information System (ODIS) is building a global network of distributed information and data resources related to the ocean. ODIS facilitates discovery and interoperability of existing information systems through the lightweight Ocean Data and Information System (ODIS) architecture. This enables users to discover and more easily access global ocean information, data and knowledge products for management and sustainable development. In the global south the related project Ocean InfoHub has successfully linked implemented global and regional search and discovery hubs as a demonstration of ODIS. An Ocean InfoHub Global Search portal, containing over 130,000 content items in seven categories, has been developed as a demonstrator of ODIS. The VLIZ catalogue is also discoverable via ODIS.
Regarding the activities under the IOC’s Capacity Development (CD) coordination unit hosted at the Project Office, the 6th Session of the IOC Group of Experts on Capacity Development (GE-CD-V) was held on 22-24 October 2024. Dr Ann-Katrien Lescrauwaet of VLIZ, participated onsite and contributed to the discussions preparing the draft implementation plan of the IOC CD Strategy 2023-2030 as part of the GE-CD Working Group on Implementation Plan.
The Ocean Best Practices System (OBPS) continues to be a central hub for ocean 'best' practices and standards. VLIZ hosts the OBPS Repository, which now holds 2000+ methodologies and 80000 users, facilitating accessible knowledge for ocean science research and applications. OBPS is engaged within EU projects, Blue Cloud 2026, CINEA and the new ObSea4Clim, and to advance Digital Twins of the Ocean, through its participation in the EU Iliad Project. It continues to develop its work with its UN Ocean Decade Programme ‘Ocean Practices for the Decade’.
OceanExpert is a global directory of marine science experts and their institutes, events and documents, and it contributes to VLIZ by providing a platform for connecting researchers, organizations and projects involved in marine science. OceanExpert is used for knowledge sharing, research networking and promoting. OceanExpert amplifies efforts to foster global collaboration in marine research and improve the accessibility of marine science data and expertise.