All national participants are encouraged to fill in the questionnaire on national sustained ocean observations and services before the meeting. The questionnaire will form an important communication tool for the workshop. The meeting will be held at Copacabana Praia Hotel, Rio de Janeiro city, Rua Francisco Octaviano 30, Copacabana (www.copacabanapraiahotel.com.br). First. DAY - 05MAR - Forum I; attend IOC Chair, former Chairs, Vice-Chair for Group III, former Vice-Chairs of group III, Chair of IOCARIBE and members of the IOCâ??s Secretariat (Albert Fischer and Tom Gross). This group will discuss the future of sustained ocean observations and services of the IOC in the region. 2nd and 3rd. DAYS - 06 E 07MAR - Forum II; in addition to the participants of the Forum I, participate representatives of the Member States of the Group III. The meeting will be conducted as a workshop for the purpose of encouraging the exchange of information related to the status of ocean observations systems in South America and the Caribbean, as well as identifying benefits to be gained from the observational programs of IOC existing ones, such as GOOS and JCOMM, with special regards to the governance model proposed by the GOOS Steering Committee (GSC) (Framework for Ocean Observing), 4th. DAY - 08MAR - Forum II - It is being planned for this day a visit (Study Tour) to an Oceanography concerned institution in Rio de Janeiro or surrounding areas. Representatives of Member States are invited to the Forum II (6-8 March).