CL 08/2019

IHO File No. S3/6004 CIRCULAR LETTER 08/2019 23 January 2019 ADOPTION OF REVISION TO IHO RESOLUTION 2/1997, AS AMENDED References: A. Publication M-3, 2nd Edition 2010 - Updated to August 2018 - Resolutions of the IHO. B. IHO CL 55/2018 dated 13 November - Call for approval of proposed amendments to IHO Resolution 2/1997, as amended. Dear Hydrographer, 1. The approval of Member States on the proposed amendments of IHO Resolution 2/1997, as amended (see Reference A), was requested by Reference B. 2. The Secretariat would like to thank the following 55 Member States that replied to Reference B: Algeria, Argentina, Australia, Bangladesh, Belgium, Brazil, Canada, Chile, Colombia, Croatia, Cyprus, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Georgia, Germany, Greece, Guatemala, Iceland, Indonesia, Iran (Islamic Republic of), Ireland, Italy, Japan, Republic of Korea , Latvia, Malta, Mauritius, Monaco, Morocco, Netherlands, Nigeria, Norway, Oman, Papua New Guinea, Peru, Poland, Portugal, Qatar, Romania, Russian Federation, Saudi Arabia, Singapore, Slovenia, South Africa, Spain, Sweden, Thailand, Tunisia, Turkey, Ukraine, United Kingdom, United States of America and Uruguay. 3. All 55 Member States approved the proposed amendments to IHO Resolution 2/1997. Seven Member States offered comments in addition to their vote for this Resolution. These comments and the outcome of their review by the Secretariat are provided in Annex A to this Circular Letter. 4. When Reference B was issued, there were 89 Member States of the IHO with three States suspended. In accordance with the provisions of the Convention on the IHO as amended, the minimum number of affirmative votes required is 29. As a result, the amendments to the IHO Resolution 2/1997, as amended, has been adopted. 5. The final text of the adopted amendments to the IHO Resolution 2/1997 will be incorporated into a new Edition of the IHO Publication M-3 Resolutions of the IHO to be completed by the Secretariat in due course. On behalf of the Secretary-General Yours sincerely, Mustafa IPTES Director Annex A: Member States’ responses to IHO CL 55/2018 and comments from the IHO Secretariat. Hydrographic information driving marine knowledge  Annex A to IHO CL 08/2019 MEMBER STATES’ RESPONSES TO IHO CL 55/2018 AND COMMENTS FROM THE IHO SECRETARIAT AMMENDMENTS TO THE IHO RESOLUTION 2/1997, AS AMENDED Brazil (Vote = YES) Brazil noted that the other word "Chairman" in the second paragraph of the item 2bis needs to be substituted by the word "Chair". Comment from the IHO Secretariat: The IHO Secretariat thanks Brazil for pointing out the editorial mistake that was corrected. Croatia (Vote = YES) In the light of the fact that under the structure of the IHO and the main documents of IHO (Strategic Plan and Working Programmes) most of the activities are dedicated to the RHCs for realization, and being aware of different capacity level of the members of the RHCs from most of them are very low, we think that it could be reasonable to consider a way to improve their capacity particularly when a member state assume the function of chair in two years period. Croatian experience during vice-chairing and chairing of the MBSHC says that it was very demanding four years period for our office in all aspects, particularly because of the staff and financial restrictions. We needed to undertake extra efforts in our office to fulfil all obligations and tasks we were faced in four year period. Hope that this comment and proposal will be helpful and considered. Comment from the IHO Secretariat: The IHO Secretariat thanks Croatia for sharing this experience. This revision of IHO Resolution 2/1997 was meant to adjust the wording to the amendments to the Convention on the IHO. However, there is an ongoing revision of this resolution (Actions IRCC10/3, 4, 5 and 6 refer) that could consider your input. Croatia is welcome to join this revision group and to attend IRCC11 when the subject will be considered. France (Vote = YES) 1. France notes that without being stated in the IHO Convention, the RHCs are an essential IHO component, for example in the implementation of capacity building projects and the establishment of chart schemes. This is recognised in §3 of the Resolution which states that the RHCs activities are in line with the objectives of the IHO and are in accordance with the approved IHO Work Programme. This reliance of the RHCs on the IHO could be reflected in §I of the Resolution by changing the last sentence as follows: “The RHCs are recognized by the Assembly as instrumental in the achievement of IHO objectives and their work should be complementary to those of the IHO bodies”. France suggests that this sentence be examined when the significant amendments to this resolution are prepared by the IRCC. 2. The first sentence of §3 of the Resolution should read: “RHCs shall be wisely established and have activities in line with the objectives of the IHO as described in Article II of the Convention as well as with Article 8 of the General Regulations on the IHO …”. The IHO objectives are indeed, not described in Article 8 of the General Regulations. The Resolution in English should also be corrected to read “RHCs shall… and with Article 8…” Comment from the IHO Secretariat: The IHO Secretariat thanks France for highlighting this important aspects of the relationship between the IHO and the RHCs. This revision of IHO Resolution 2/1997 was meant to adjust the wording to the amendments to the Convention on the IHO. However, there is an ongoing revision of this resolution (Actions IRCC10/3, 4, 5 and 6 refer) that could consider your input. France is welcome to join this revision group and to attend IRCC11 when the subject will be considered. Indonesia (Vote = YES) Pushidrosal Indonesia, approves the revised IHO Resolution 2/1997 which had been amended. Comment from the IHO Secretariat: The IHO Secretariat thanks Indonesia for the approval. Iran (Islamic Republic of) (Vote = YES) In paragraph 7, (line 3), (RHC's) should be changed into (RHCs). In structure for National Reports for Regional Hydrographic Commissions, (item 7), (IHOCBC) should be changed into (IHOCBSC). Comment from the IHO Secretariat: The IHO Secretariat thanks Iran (Islamic Republic of) for pointing out these editorial mistakes that were corrected. Portugal (Vote = YES) We noticed that in the 4th paragraph the observers are withdrawn from the RHC membership, not explaining the transitory status of this states with the proposed amendments. Do they automatically become associate members of the RHC? Comment from the IHO Secretariat: The change in wording is to align the IHO Resolution 2/1997 with Article 8 of the IHO General Regulation, as amended: "Membership may include full members and associate members" while Observers are not members nor associate members. Russian Federation (Vote = YES) In the last line of item 7 in the Structure of National Reports to RHC the outdated abbreviation IHOCBC should be replaced with the valid abbreviation CBSC. Comment from the IHO Secretariat: The IHO Secretariat thanks the Russian Federation for pointing out this editorial mistakes that was corrected. Saatja: CL-LC <[email protected]> Saadetud: 24.01.2019 12:10 Adressaat: INFO <[email protected]> Teema: CL 08/2019 Manused: hacpfemgciihbaag.png; CL08_2019_EN_v1.pdf Dear Hydrographer, Please find attached herewith : CL 08/2019 : ADOPTION OF REVISION TO IHO RESOLUTION 2/1997, AS AMENDED Kind regards Lorene Chavagnas Office Assistant International Hydrographic Organization BP 445, 98011 Monaco Tel : 00377 93 10 81 00 E-mail: [email protected]