Former IOC Secretary for IOCARIBE, IOC UNESCO Sub-Commission for the Caribbean and Adjacent Regions
Dr. Cesar TORO is a physical oceanographer, M.Sc. in oceanography and holds a Ph.D. from the University of Quebec, Canada in Physical Oceanography. Dr. Toro is a specialist in dynamical oceanography, climate change adaptation and mitigation, sustainable development and ocean governance and policy. He also has an extensive experience working for the oil and gas industry, the United Nations, and in project design and implementation, especially in developing countries and SIDS. From 2001 to 2022 Cesar TORO was in charge of the Subcommission for the Caribbean and Adjacent Regions IOCARIBE of the Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission (IOC of UNESCO), based in Cartagena Colombia. Between 2009 and 2015 he was also responsible for the UNESCO Natural Sciences Programme for the Caribbean. From IOCARIBE promoted the development of marine and ocean sciences and technology in the countries of the region through the strengthening of institutional capacity, coordination of intergovernmental groups and networks of scientists and experts. He coordinates IOC of UNESCO programmes in the Latin American and Caribbean region with those of the organizations of the United Nations system, working actively with national, regional and international agencies and entities, with the financial support of the Development Banks, the GEF, the EU, NGOs and international development agencies. Dr. Toro has chaired a large number of expert groups and committees and has led dozens of large multidisciplinary projects. He is also contributing to the UN Decade of Ocean Science for Sustainable Development 2021-2030, and to the IOC’s capacity development strategy and its implementation in the IOCARIBE Region- Tropical Americas region, as well as in UNESCO’s Science, Technology and Innovation strategy and science policy. He has contributed as author or co-author to more than a hundred publications.