PARTICIPATION
& GOVERNANCE

GEO Blue Planet is governed through a multi-tiered structure designed to ensure strategic alignment, operational efficiency, and inclusive participation.

GEO Blue Planet governing framework includes the Executive Committee (main decision-making body), the Steering Committee (guidance and oversight), and the Advisory Committee (strategic input and stakeholder alignment). Implementation is driven by thematic Working Groups. Regional Nodes and the broader GEO Blue Planet Community ensure inclusive participation and regional relevance.

Executive Committee

The Executive Committee is the main decision-making body for GEO Blue Planet. It is responsible for overseeing the operations and activities of GEO Blue Planet.

Executive Committee Members

The Executive Committee is composed of the Work Programme Committee co-chairs, the Advisory Committee co-chairs, GEO Blue Planet Executive Director and a GEO Secretariat representative.

Advisory Committee

The Advisory Committee offers strategic guidance to ensure GEO Blue Planet’s activities align with international priorities, reflect end-user needs, and are supported through resource mobilization.

Advisory Committee Members

The Advisory Committee is composed of ex-officio members representing the GEO Blue Planet Partner Organizations, regional to global organizations forming a comprehensive representation of the Ocean Observation value chain.

Steering Committee

The Steering Committee is responsible for providing guidance on GEO Blue Planet’s objectives, suggesting opportunities, identifying partners and, where possible, contributing resources. The Steering Committee ensures that GEO Blue Planet activities remain aligned with its objectives.

Steering Committee Members

The Steering Committee is composed of members of the Advisory Committee, the Work Programme Committee (Working Groups co-chairs) and the Secretariat.

Work Programme

The GEO Blue Planet Work Programme, constituted of thematic Working Groups (WGs), is responsible for developing and implementing GEO Blue Planet’s activities.

Work Programme Committee Members

Co-chairs of all WGs form the Work Programme Committee and represent the Work Programme in the Steering Committee. The Work Programme Committee co-chairs represent the Work Programme in the Executive Committee. The Work Programme Committee co-chairs are also known as the GEO Blue Planet co-chairs.

Members of GEO Blue Planet do not receive direct funding from the initiative to carry out their duties; their contributions are made through in-kind support or resources provided by their home institutions.

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Other Bodies

GEO Blue Planet Community

The GEO Blue Planet Community includes all members of all GEO Blue Planet groups and committees. Members are recipients of quarterly newsletters to ensure smooth communication.

GEO Blue Planet Regional Nodes

GEO Blue Planet Regional Nodes are informal networks of regional GEO Blue Planet Community members designed to support coordination and collaboration on region-specific topics. While they do not carry out specific and planned actions, they facilitate communication among members and provide a unified response to regional GEOs and other relevant initiatives including within the Advisory Committee.

GEO Blue Planet Governance Structure

GEO Blue Planet is an open and collaborative initiative that welcomes participation from individuals and organizations who share its mission of advancing the use of ocean and coastal observations for informed decision-making. Membership is inclusive and does not require legal registration; instead, participants contribute through in-kind or dedicated resources from their home institutions.

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PARTICIPATION & GOVERNANCE