The IODP Council provides governmental oversight for all IODP activities; assures effective planning, management and operations of the IODP; and encourages and promotes broad international participation in the IODP.
The members of the Council are to be representatives of each country or entity contributing to support of the IODP, regardless of whether it is participating as an individual member or as a member of a consortium. The participating countries are to designate members of the Council and their alternates. The Chair of the Council is to be from the Agencies and is to alternate between the Agencies on a yearly basis.
The Council is expected to serve as a consultative body reviewing financial, managerial and other matters involving the overall support of the IODP. A formal agenda is to be prepared for each meeting and written records are to be kept.
