The Partnership for Observation of the Global Ocean (POGO) was founded in 1999 by directors of oceanographic institutions around the world as a forum to promote and advance the observation of the global ocean. POGO is a UK-registered charity with member institutions from around the world, and works closely with other international and regional programmes and organisations.
POGO seeks to expand international support for ocean observing, through innovation of the ocean observing system, capacity development and outreach/advocacy.
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Members and Partners of POGO
POGO was one of the founding partners of WAMS, when it was first conceived in 2010, during a meeting held at IOC-UNESCO headquarters in Paris. POGO sponsored the first World Congress of Marine Stations, held online due to the Covid pandemic, in Nov 2021. The POGO CEO, gave a presentation on POGO and also attended […]
World Association of Marine Stations (WAMS) Read More »
CLIVAR and POGO are often represented at one another’s annual meetings (e.g. POGO Annual Meeting in Feb 2025 and CLIVAR Meeting in Sept 2025). POGO was also represented at a CLIVAR workshop in August 2022 “From Global to Coastal: Cultivating New Solutions and Partnerships for an Enhanced Ocean Observing System in a Decade of Accelerating
Climate and Ocean Variability, Predictability and Change (CLIVAR) Read More »
POGO works closely with GOA-ON, particularly on capacity development in West Africa. POGO supported the BIOTTA Working Group from 2020 to 2024, to develop capacity for ocean acidification monitoring around the Gulf of Guinea. The WG attracted significant funding from The Ocean Foundation to purchase GOA-ON-in-a-box kits for several BIOTTA partners to establish routine OA
Global Ocean Acidification Observing Network (GOA-ON) Read More »
The Deep-Ocean Stewardship Initiative (DOSI) is a network of experts from over 115 countries who practice deep-ocean science, governance and other activities, although predominantly deep-sea ecology. POGO partners with DOSI on joint side-events, particularly at the UNFCCC Climate COPs.
Deep Ocean Stewardship Initiative (DOSI) Read More »
The Ocean Best Practices System (OBPS) is a global initiative aimed at improving and standardising practices for collecting, analysing and sharing ocean data and information. POGO has participated in both in-person and virtual OBPS workshops, and organised sessions on shipboard training and Arctic data systems. The POGO-supported initiative SEAGRASS also organised a session at a virtual OBPS
Ocean Best Practices Read More »
DOOS is a community-driven, international initiative strategically aligning the deep ocean observing community toward collective solution-based science. POGO and DOOS are often represented at each other’s annual meetings, to discuss priorities and needs for deep ocean observing.
Deep Ocean Observing Strategy (DOOS) Read More »
DITTO supports the development of digital twins of the ocean as a realistic digital representations of assets, processes or systems in the built or natural environment. This will be accomplished by establishing and advancing a digital framework on which all marine data, satellite data and reanalyzes, modelling and simulation along with high-performance computing (HPC) capacities,
Digital Twins of the Ocean (DITTO) Read More »
The All-Atlantic Floating University Network (@SeaNetwork) aims to facilitate, optimize and maximize training at sea opportunities within the Atlantic region. POGO has collaborated with @SeaNetwork since its start, supporting its establishment, offering fellowships for shipboard training opportunities announced in the programme and serving in the Advisory Committee.
The Fishing Vessel Ocean Observing Network (FVON) is an initiative led by the Ocean Data Network, aiming to enhance ocean observation by leveraging commercial fishing vessels as platforms for collecting oceanographic data. This approach seeks to fill data gaps in coastal and shelf regions, complementing existing global observing networks. Through the NANO network, POGO has
Fishing Vessel Ocean Observing Network (FVON) Read More »
The Early Career Ocean Professional (ECOP) Network is a UN Ocean Decade programme envisioning to elevate and strengthen the diverse perspectives of new generations of ocean professionals through a collective voice. The ECOP network shares objectives and opportunities with NF-POGO Alumni Network (NANO).
Early Career Ocean Professional (ECOP) Network Read More »
The Nippon Foundation and GEBCO formed Seabed 2030 as an ambitious call to action for humanity to mobilise and accelerate efforts to produce a definitive map of our ocean by 2030 and make it available to all. Seabed 2030 is a programme endorsed by the UN Ocean Decade. Discussions between POGO and Seabed 2030 have
The Challenger 150 programme is a global scientific cooperative developed to respond to the needs of the UN Ocean Decade. It is a vehicle for coordination of deep-sea research globally towards a set of common objectives. POGO shares and supports in particular Challenger 150’s objectives (1) to build capacity for deep-sea research globally, and (2)
The Ocean Census is a global mission to discover, document, and share the diversity of life in our ocean. The Ocean Census is co-founded by The Nippon Foundation and Nekton, and an endorsed Programme of the UN Ocean Decade. The Census is jointly undertaken by national and philanthropic marine institutes, museums and universities, backed by
POGO and its programmes OBON and IQOE contribute to the MBON-GOOS work to develop and implement Biological and Ecosystem EOVs – in particular, the contributions of biomolecular and ocean sound observations to the EOV framework. POGO is also contributing to the development of a higher education curriculum on Data for Ocean Biodiversity Observing and Capacity
Marine Biodiversity Observation Network (MBON) Read More »
Marine Life 2030 is a UN Ocean Decade Endorsed Programme that seeks to transform the observation and forecasting of marine life for the future for the benefit of all people. POGO collaborates with MarineLife 2030, particularly through joint initiatives held between OBON and MarineLife 2030 in the context of the UN Ocean Decade. Examples have
OceanQuest is a new foundation established by the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia to advance deep ocean exploration to the world. The vision is to explore the ocean’s secrets for the benefit of humanity. The mission is to accelerate ocean discovery, drive ocean-tech innovation, contribute to the blue innovation economy, strengthen global scientific cooperation, and excite
OceanX is a non-profit organization supporting and conducting research and exploration of the Earth’s oceans, fostering and promoting public awareness, scientific discovery, and education relating to the oceans. OceanX has partnered with POGO on several initiatives, including as a sponsor for the 1st Marine ‘Omics Technology and Instrumentation workshop (2023), and for the OBON-FAO workshop
The Minderoo Foundation is an Australian philanthropy, working to forge a fair future by challenging inequalities and campaigning for meaningful change. One of its focus areas is Natural Ecosystems. Minderoo is committed to catalysing genomics and eDNA technology to better understand, monitor and protect marine ecosystems. Minderoo’s OceanOmics project has been endorsed by the UN
Minderoo Foundation Read More »
The Ocean Observatories Initiative (OOI) is a science-driven ocean observing network that delivers real-time data from more than 900 instruments to address critical science questions regarding the world’s oceans. Funded by the U.S. National Science Foundation to encourage scientific investigation, OOI data are freely available online to anyone with an Internet connection. POGO works with
Ocean Observatories Initiative (OOI) Read More »
The West Africa Marine Science Symposium (WAMSS) took place in Ghana from 18 – 20 August 2023, with 163 participants from 18 countries – both within the region and overseas. It was an Ocean Decade endorsed activity that brought together marine and coastal experts, storytellers, youth, government bodies, Non-governmental organisations, funders, and National Geographic Society
West Africa Marine Science Symposium (WAMSS) Read More »
The Ocean Biomolecular Observing Network is an endorsed #UNOceanDecade programme that will monitor, research & understand ocean life by analyzing biomolecules. POGO is the lead partner and a founder of OBON.
Ocean Biomolecular Observing Network (OBON) Read More »
“Linking Ocean-Atmosphere Interactions with Climate and People”. The global and multidisciplinary research project Surface Ocean – Lower Atmosphere Study (SOLAS) was established to provide international science coordination and capacity building. Initiated with a first Open Science Conference in 2000 and formally launched in 2004, SOLAS research aims to understand the key biogeochemical-physical interactions and feedbacks
SOLAS (Surface Ocean – Lower Atmosphere Study) Read More »
The Lounsbery Foundation was founded in 1959, with a goal to enhance US national strengths in science and technology and foster strong French-American cooperation. To this day, the Foundation has stayed true to its roots while expanding to promote science among youth and to support components of US policy issues pertaining to science. The Foundation
The Richard Lounsbery Foundation Read More »
The Sloan Foundation is a US not-for-profit grant-making institution that supports high quality, impartial scientific research; fosters a robust, diverse scientific workforce; strengthens public understanding and engagement with science; and promotes the health of the institutions of scientific endeavor. Seed funding from the Sloan Foundation was instrumental in getting POGO started, by supporting the first
The Alfred P Sloan Foundation Read More »
The Nippon Foundation (NF) has been the main sponsor of POGO Capacity Building programmes since 2004. With the NF-POGO Centre of Excellence, the Ocean Training Partnership (OTP) and the NF-POGO Alumni Network for Oceans (NANO), NF and POGO are investing in young researchers from all over the world by providing a forum for training, networking and exchange.
The Nippon Foundation Read More »
GEO is a partnership of more than 100 national governments and in excess of 100 Participating Organizations that envisions a future where decisions and actions for the benefit of humankind are informed by coordinated, comprehensive and sustained Earth observations. GEO is a unique global network connecting government institutions, academic and research institutions, data providers, businesses,
GEO (Group on Earth Observations) Read More »
The International Council for Science (ICSU) formed the Special Committee on Oceanic Research (SCOR) in 1957 to help address interdisciplinary science questions related to the ocean. SCOR was the first interdisciplinary body formed by ICSU. SCOR’s name was later changed to “Scientific Committee on Oceanic Research” to reflect its more permanent status. SCOR activities focus
SCOR (Scientific Committee on Oceanic Research) Read More »
The Global Ocean Observing System (GOOS) is a sustained collaborative system of ocean observations, encompassing in situ networks, satellite systems, governments, UN agencies and individual scientists. It is organised around a series of components undertaking requirements assessment, observing implementation, innovation through projects, and a core team. POGO works with and supports IOC/GOOS in advancing global ocean observing
UNESCO’s Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission (IOC) promotes international cooperation and coordinates programmes in marine research, services, observation systems, hazard mitigation, and capacity development in order to understand and effectively manage the resources of the ocean and coastal areas. By applying this knowledge, the Commission aims to improve the governance, management, institutional capacity, and decision-making processes of
Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission (IOC) Read More »
NANO (NF-POGO Alumni Network for the Ocean) is a global network of current and former scholars of NF and POGO programmes on capacity development. The goals of the network are to maximize the benefits to the alumni from the training they have received; to facilitate active contacts among the alumni and with the training faculty; and to promote
NF-POGO Alumni Network for the Ocean (NANO) Read More »
SMART Subsea Cables for Observing the Global Ocean: This Joint Task Force sponsored by 3 UN agencies (IOC, ITU, WMO) aims to integrate sensors into the repeaters of future trans-oceanic telecommunications cable systems. Sensors would “piggyback” on the existing power and communications infrastructure, with the potential for global coverage at modest incremental cost. Initial sensors
SMART Subsea Cables Read More »
POGO is a sponsor of the Southern Ocean Observing System, which published its Science Plan and established a Project Office at the Institute of Marine and Antarctic Studies, University of Tasmania, in 2011. The SOOS Data Network is the primary access point for search, discovery, mapping and download of data that has been determined to be of significance to
POGO member institutions have been driving the establishment of OceanSITES, a network of deep-ocean, multi-disciplinary time-series reference sites, measuring many variables and monitoring the full depth of the ocean from the surface down to 5,000 metres. This network comprises about 30 surface and 30 sub-surface arrays. At its 2011 meeting in Seoul, POGO’s directors decided
The Global Alliance of Continuous Plankton Recorder Surveys was initiated by the Sir Alister Hardy Foundation for Ocean Science (SAHFOS) during a workshop held in Plymouth in September 2011. POGO was invited to attend to provide advice on setting up a new international programme, and to sign as a witness the Memorandum of Understanding. Members of
Together with SCOR, and with seed funding from the Sloan Foundation, POGO is supporting the development of the International Quiet Ocean Experiment. The IQOE is a programme set to last a decade, aimed at mesuring sound in the ocean and the effects of anthopogenic sound on marine life. The programme will make use of existing ocean
International Quiet Ocean Experiment (IQOE) Read More »
ChloroGIN was created in 2006 during a workshop sponsored by POGO, GOOS, GEO, IOCCG and PML, and was inspired by the Latin American Network Antares. It aims to promote in situ chlorophyll measurements in combination with satellite-derived estimates. ChloroGIN is funded by the Canadian Space Agency, and was included as a Task within the first GEO Work
The creation of the “Oceans and Society: Blue Planet” Task was an initiative of the Partnership for Observation of the Global Ocean (POGO) in 2011, to bring together all the existing ocean observation programmes within GEO, to add new ones to the GEO portfolio, and to create synergies between them. This has evolved into the
AMT is a multidisciplinary scientific programme, hosted by Plymouth Marine Laboratory in collaboration with the National Oceanographic Centre. AMT undertakes biological, chemical and physical oceanographic research during an annual voyage between the UK and the South Atlantic and provides the longest time series of oceanographic observations on an ocean-basin scale. The programme was established in
Atlantic Meridional Transect (AMT) Read More »
Around the time POGO was being started, the Argo programme was also beginning. One of the first crusades of POGO was to throw the collective weight of its members behind the world expansion of Argo. A collaboration among 50 research and operational agencies from 26 countries, Argo now has charge of more than 3,500 floats
POGO helped to fund the meeting at which the Latin-American network of bio-optical oceanographers called Antares was born and led subsequently to the formation of a global-scale analogue, ChloroGIN (see below). POGO continues to collaborate with and provide support to Antares, particularly through its capacity building programmes and the NF-POGO Alumni Network for Oceans.
