CL 53/2016

IHB File N° S1/5070 CIRCULAR LETTER 53/2016 05 October 2016 ESTABLISHMENT OF A MEMORANDUM OF UNDERSTANDING BETWEEN THE INTERNATIONAL HYDROGRAPHIC ORGANIZATION AND THE OPEN GEOSPATIAL CONSORTIUM Reference: IHO CL 37/2016 dated 5 August - Proposed Memorandum of Understanding between the International Hydrographic Organization and the Open Geospatial Consortium Dear Hydrographer, 1. The Directing Committee is pleased to report that the proposed text contained in the referenced Circular Letter to establish closer ties between the IHO and the Open Geospatial Consortium (OGC) through a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) has raised no objection from the Member States. 2. The Directing Committee thanks the following Member States that expressed explicitly their support of the proposal: Bangladesh, Belgium, Brazil, Canada, Chile, Colombia, France, Italy, Portugal, Saudi Arabia, Spain, Suriname, United Kingdom, USA and Uruguay. The additional comments provided by Chile, Colombia, Italy, Portugal, United Kingdom and the USA are reproduced in Annex A. 3. The President of the Directing Committee will sign the proposed MoU on behalf of the IHO at the earliest opportunity. A copy will be posted on the IHO website at: Home > Letters & Documents > MOU & Agreements. On behalf of the Directing Committee Yours sincerely, Robert WARD President Annex A: Member States’ responses to IHO CL 37/2016  Annex A to IHO CL 53/2016 MEMBER STATES’ RESPONSES TO IHOCL 37/2016 Proposed Memorandum of Understanding between the International Hydrographic Organization and the Open Geospatial Consortium CHILE We acknowledge reception of the CL in the reference and we support the proposal to sign a MOU between IHO and the Open Geospatial Consortium (OGC). We feel that OGC´s objectives are in line with those of IHO and it makes sense to join efforts from the different perspectives both organizations have. COLOMBIA With reference to the proposed Memorandum of Understanding between the International Hydrographic Organization – IHO and the Open Geospatial Consortium - OGC, the Maritime General Directorate, responsible for the Hydrographic Service of the Republic of Colombia, approves the signing of the MoU, because this union will substantially contribute to the work of the IHO. ITALY Having read the draft text of the Memorandum of Understanding enclosed to IHO-CL 37/2016, Italy has no adverse comments and supports the effort to advancing interoperability among IT systems that process geo-referenced information PORTUGAL The Portuguese Hydrographic Office recognizes the importance of the OGC for the establishment of open standards in the global geospatial community. Therefore we encourage the cooperation between the IHO and the OGC and welcome the proposed MoU. UNITED KINGDOM UK is supportive of the proposed MoU between IHO and the OGC especially in light of the recently formed OGC Marine Domain Working Group. UNITED STATES OF AMERICA Thank you for the opportunity to comment on the Proposed Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between the International Hydrographic Organization (IHO) and the Open Geospatial Consortium (OGC) via Circular Letter 37/2016. The United States of America is pleased to express its support of the proposed MOU. We wish to underscore the importance we share with the IHO, the OGC, and members of the global community in the principles and practices of open data for the future of the hydro graphic discipline, safe maritime transportation, and marine environmental protection for societal development at-large. We commend the IHO for pursuing the MOU.