07-12-2009-
In conclusion of the meeting of the Mediterranean Science Commission's (CIESM) Bureau, the Government of Monaco today signed a headquarters agreement with the aforementioned organisation during a ceremony which took place in the Hall of Mirrors at the Prince’s Palace, in the presence of H.S.H. Prince Albert II.
Placed under the Presidency of H.S.H. Prince Albert II, the annual meeting of the CIESM Central Bureau opened this morning at the Ministry of State, in the presence of representatives of the member countries. An examination of the Commission’s activities and programme, budgetary issues and the signing of the Headquarters Agreement with the Government of Monaco as host country, featured on the agenda.
Founded in 1910, at the instigation of Prince Albert I, the Mediterranean Science Commission (CIESM) is an intergovernmental organisation which today has 23 member states.
Professor Frédéric Briand, the Director General, and his team of scientists, coordinate many research programmes and workshops involving a very wide network of experts.
This headquarters agreement, like the one signed with the International Hydrographic Bureau, guarantees the independence of the Commission and confers it a true legal status, thus providing guarantees of maintaining its staff and premises in Monaco.
Signed by H.E. the Minister of State and Professor Briand, this agreement completes the negotiations conducted by the Government and the CIESM for the past few months.
The CIESM's Board of Governors is made up of national delegates from the 23 member states, often scientists in charge of national institutions. The Presidency of the Board is currently ensured by Monaco, in the person of H.S.H. Prince Albert II, who presides over the CIESM congress taking place every three years, the largest forum of this type in the Mediterranean where recent scientific progress and future priorities are discussed.
The Commission covers a wide range of marine topics thanks to its unique network which includes close to 500 institutes and over 3,200 researchers across the two shores of the Mediterranean up to the Black Sea. With this expertise, CIESM is able to provide the best scientific opinion possible to national and international agencies, in order to understand, monitor and protect more effectively a highly exposed and particularly vulnerable sea.
To date, the member states include: Algeria, Croatia, Cyprus, Egypt, France, Germany, Greece, Israel, Italy, Lebanon, Malta, Monaco, Montenegro, Morocco, Portugal, Romania, Slovenia, Spain, Switzerland, Syria, Tunisia, Turkey and Ukraine.
For further information: www.ciesm.org
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