資料3.1.3(2)
- At the International Implementation Planning Meeting for Argo Floats in the Pacific Ocean and Adjacent Regions held in Tokyo on 13 and 14 April 2000, the participants reaffirmed their willingness to further cooperate in promoting the Argo program. At the meeting, they adopted the Tokyo Statement, in which additional countries were invited to participate in the Argo program.
The participants adopted the following conclusions and recommendations:
- The accurate and reliable climate prediction is of utmost importance for the Pacific region due to its social and economic implications. The implementation of the Argo program in the Pacific region would greatly assist in achieving this objective.
- However, according to the results of a survey distributed to 48 nations (77 organizations) around the world, there are still nations where the importance of the Argo program is not yet sufficiently understood.
- For the successful implementation of the Argo program, it is necessary to build a worldwide framework of cooperation, especially in terms of bilateral and regional cooperation. Accordingly, all countries in the Pacific region should understand the importance of the Argo program and its benefits, and cooperate on a regional basis in its implementation. Furthermore, it is necessary to take appropriate measures to strengthen the capacity building of the relevant countries, particularly developing countries in the Pacific Islands region, in order for these countries to actively participate in the program.
- By organizing regional technical meetings and by building regional information and data networks for oceanographic observations, including the Argo program, the countries in the Pacific region will be able to share data, technologies and knowledge, which will thereby promote the development of climate prediction technologies in each of the countries.
- Specifically, free, open and timely dissemination and exchange of information and data relating to the Argo program should be achieved and promoted by all participating countries and organizations.
- The necessary cooperation, information exchange and data sharing can be significantly facilitated by supporting the proposed international Argo Inforination Center (AIC) and establishing national Argo coordination centers and focal points.
- The deficit currently incurred in funding critical Argo-related activities should be resolved as soon as possible.
- The implementation of the Argo program will provide additional observational data required to greatly improve our understanding of and predictions of the climate and ocean in the 21st century for the benefit of all humankind.
Finally, participants expressed their heartfelt thanks to the Nippon Foundation for its financial support for the Meeting.
