International Collaboration

The NOAA Marine Debris Program strives to provide constructive input on global initiatives to understand and combat the issue of marine debris.

The Coast Survey International Program and Plan builds upon the Office of Coast Survey's (OCS) core strengths, capacities, and directions as a global leader in hydrography.

The National Marine Protected Areas Center leads international partnerships for the NOAA Office of National Marine Sanctuaries (ONMS), working with marine managers around the world to protect shared resources and address common challenges.

The global ocean observing system for climate is implemented cooperatively by over seventy countries worldwide; the U.S. contribution to the system constitutes about half of the over 8,000 observing platforms deployed by the world community.

The International Great Lakes Datum (IGLD) is a common reference system used to measure water level heights in the Great Lakes, connecting channels and the St. Lawrence River. IGLD is a binational effort between the U.S. and Canada that helps ensure cohesive water management across 8 states and 2 provinces.

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE)-led International Guidelines on the Use of Natural and Nature-Based Features for Flood Risk Management is the culmination of a five-year collaboration between NOAA, USACE, and many international partners.

The National Ocean Service and its programs collaborate with partners from around the world in protecting and restoring our natural resources, coastal communities, and economy. NOS engages in various multilateral and bilateral meetings and organizations in support of NOAA’s mission.