Global Consultation
The Towards IPOS project is currently engaged in developing and refining the potential future IPOS mission, governance, participatory approach, financial model and partnerships, all of which will form foundational building blocks of the future IPOS. Broad consultations are ongoing to ensure co-design of the IPOS concept.
On July 3rd, 2024, the Towards IPOS initiative launched a global consultation running until early October. This consultation aimed to gather insights from ocean organizations and experts to shape IPOS's vision, mission, and approach.
In case you missed it, you can re-watch the webinar recording on YouTube. Be sure to download the attached presentation slides to stay informed about the key points and discussions.
View the consultation launch webinar
Consultation process
The consultation is structured around 3 modules
Online survey
Open between July and early October
The online survey aimed at testing emerging hypothesis and gathering feedback to feed the ToR development.
4 sections in the survey
Context: the need for an improved Ocean knowledge-society-policy interface;
Our proposed solution: emerging ideas for an IPOS;
Added value and positioning of IPOS;
Who should we send the survey to.
Workshops
Between July and early October
As part of the ongoing global consultation process with a survey, the Towards IPOS team ran in parallel workshops with UN institutions, other institutions and organisations and policy makers from several countries where we have presented our emerging concept followed by an hour of dialogue about feedbacks and comments they have.
Offsite seminar
Early October
In order to finalise the draft ToR so they can be presented to the European Commission and other Towards IPOS stakeholders, a proposed seminar aimed at bringing together members of the consortium and a small number of selected global experts.
The seminar took place in Barcelona, the 8th and 9th of October.
What concept is currently tested
An emerging concept of the IPOS is currently being tested.
Emerging vision statement for the IPOS
The IPOS envisions a world where political action towards ocean sustainability is enabled by access to timely, contextually relevant, actionable, inclusive and verified knowledge.
Emerging mission statement for the IPOS
Operating with an inclusive and systems approach, the IPOS brokers knowledge to deliver independent, timely, contextually relevant, and actionable support in response to States wanting to accelerate their implementation of international ocean sustainability targets and frameworks.
5 key elements identified to deliver IPOS vision operationally
Demand-driven: the IPOS will synthesise existing Ocean-relevant knowledge across scales to respond to specific demands formulated by decision-makers.
Inclusive: the IPOS will weave different knowledge sources by equitably empowering representative experts and knowledge holders from diversified backgrounds and disciplines relevant to each request across all services. The IPOS governance structures will similarly reflect this core value.
Contextually relevant: the IPOS outputs will be tailored to regional and local contexts, recognizing their environmental, social, economic and cultural specificities.
Timely: the IPOS will make knowledge available to decision makers within accelerated timescales.
Transparent: the IPOS structure and processes will be fully transparent: including openly accessible protocols (e.g. for peer review, consensus, selection and approval), open access data, communication and exchanges in local languages, and monitoring, evaluating and reporting on the impact of IPOS services and their evolution.
3 services could be delivered by the IPOS
Ocean Action Request (OAR)
This service will allow countries or groups of countries to submit formal requests for policy-relevant Ocean knowledge, aimed at meeting specific global sustainability targets. IPOS will form ad-hoc, hybrid working groups consisting of global and local experts, including scientists, indigenous and local knowledge-holders, civil society, and private sector representatives, to co-develop peer-reviewed outputs tailored to the context of the requesting state(s). The outputs will build on existing knowledge, including from environmental assessment organisations such as WOA, IPCC and IPBES, and academic literature, and present contextualised policy solution options as well as the respective pros and cons.
Target users: Countries and intergovernmental organisations
Timeline for outputs: Each request will typically be addressed within a 12-month period, facilitated by engagement between the IPOS regional node, the requesting state(s), and a centralised Secretariat.
Pilot: Currently underway through an international scientific consultation co-organised by the IPOS on the state of knowledge on deep sea exploration, following a request from the President of France.
Ocean Catalyst/ Forum (OC/OF)
The intention for this service is to provide a mechanism for foresight, outreach, reporting and engagement that catalyses action towards global targets.
The detailed form and process for this service, as well as its name, is still under development but the aim is clear: to formalise a dynamic polylateral multi-stakeholder network that will propel action by gathering input and priority issues from diverse stakeholders, including indigenous and local communities, civil society, the scientific community, civil servants, youth organisations and the private sector. The IPOS Secretariat and its committees will develop global and regional insights reports that highlight emerging Ocean issues and present collaborative solutions to barriers to action, based on shared experiences and best practices thereby promoting transparency and inclusivity in Ocean governance.
Target users: Civil society, scientific community, and private sector
Timeline for outputs: Report made to states every 6 months
Ocean Rapid Response (ORR)
This service will provide urgent responses to States requiring time-sensitive access to Ocean knowledge, synthesizing curated information into concise, accessible formats. Leveraging bespoke AI capabilities to synthesise existing knowledge, the IPOS Secretariat will compile responses and recommendations, which will be reviewed by experts. In the future, ORR may expand to support capacity building for States’ delegations and Indigenous Peoples and Local Communities (IPLCs), assisting with preparations for international Ocean-related dialogues.
Target users: Countries and intergovernmental organisations
Timeline for outputs: Weeks
Pilot: A proof of concept for an internal IPOS AI tool is currently being developed.
