Press Release

International Ocean Institute receives US$65,000 Grant from the OPEC Fund

30/2005 April 1, 2005, Vienna, Austria

The OPEC Fund for International Development today approved a research grant in the amount of US$65,000 to sponsor the attendance of seven least developed country participants at an International Ocean Institute (IOI) training program entitled “25th Anniversary of the Ocean Governance: Policy, Law and Management.”

Based on similar programs previously carried out by IOI, the purpose of the 8-week training is to help developing countries form a core of decision-makers equipped to integrate ocean management into national development strategies.

Among other matters, participants will learn about oceanography, the law of the sea, management of living and non-living resources, and integrated coastal management.

Founded in 1972, IOI is an independent, non-governmental organization active in promoting education, training and research to enhance the peaceful uses of oceans and their resources. It is regarded as a world authority on integrated approaches to the conservation of the marine environment, and has established nine operational centers around the world. This is the third time the OPEC Fund has supported IOI training activities.