The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO) works to create the conditions for dialogue among civilizations, cultures and peoples, based upon respect for commonly shared values. The Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission (IOC) is part of UNESCO, dealing specifically with all marine matters. The International Oceanographic Data and Information Exchange (IODE) is a programme of IOC specialising in data and Information management.
http://www.unesco.org/new/en/unesco/ France