The first planning workshop for the Ocean Data and Information Network for the WESTPAC region (ODINWESTPAC) was held in Tianjin, China between 4 and 6 March 2014. Co-sponsored by the Government of China (NMDIS), the meeting was attended by 21 participants from 9 WESTPAC Member States.

Meeting highlights

• The meeting discussed the current status of data and information management in the region, where currently only 5 of the 9 participating Member States have established an IODE NODC.
• The meeting adopted a work plan for 2014-2016 that focuses on the establishment of a regional metadatabase, e-repository, assistance with the development of NODCs and ADUs, establishing of quality management systems, as well as related training.
• The meeting further invited Prof Shaohua Lin (China) to continue as ODINWESTPAC coordinator and also designated 3 work package coordinators (from China, Australia and Japan) to assist with the implementation of the work plan.

Read the report here.