5.2.3: Partnerships & Policy
Full and effective use of international partnerships and policy leadership to achieve NOAA's mission objectives Other Information:
NOAA's mission extends beyond the political boundaries of the U.S. to oceans, ecosystems, and the atmosphere. Climate change
and its impacts, depletion of many of the world's fish stocks, global ocean degradation, changing weather patterns, and the
increased need to take advantage of space-based and other observation platforms have drawn attention to the international
nature of the many challenges and opportunities that the Nation faces. NOAA plays a key leadership role in international ocean,
fisheries, climate, space, and weather policies, and is required to play a role in domestic and international activities.
NOAA's many assets—including research programs, vessels, satellites, science centers and laboratories, and a vast pool of
internationally recognized experts—make it an essential international resource. NOAA is well positioned to assist other nations
improve their understanding and ability to predict and respond to changes in climate and other environmental conditions affecting
natural resources, population safety, and economic activity. At the same time, NOAA can draw on those same resources to achieve
its mission objectives. As more countries launch their own satellites, and ocean- and ground-based observing networks, there
are more opportunities to leverage investments made by foreign partners. As such, the need for common data standards, service
level agreements, and memoranda of understanding have increased. To achieve this objective, NOAA will leverage multilateral
and bilateral partnerships to take full advantage of research, observations, environmental science, and ecosystems management
expertise and resources from outside the U.S. Continued international engagement will enable NOAA to promote goals and practices
that can be adopted and adapted regionally or globally to benefit the Nation and advance NOAA's strategic goals. NOAA will
lead, advocate, and support a science-based whole-government approach to addressing these challenges. Through these efforts,
NOAA will improve the standardization, availability, and utility of environmental data for the Nation and the world. Over
the next five years, evidence of progress toward this objective will include: * Full implementation of the provisions of the
MSA to combat illegal, unregulated, and unreported fishing and bycatch of protected living marine resources in international
fisheries; * Fulfillment of the Coral Triangle Initiative objectives; * Build transboundary relationships that support NOAA
regional engagement, including that in the Arctic, Great Lakes, and Gulf of Mexico; * Implement the International Marine Mammal
Action Plan; * Expanded collaborations and partnerships on international environmental observing capabilities and on climate
observing systems, assessments, and services; and * Reduced loss of life, property, and disruption from and response to high-impact
international events.
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