Dr. Cesar Toro
UNESCO-IOC Representative to IOCARIBE, Columbia

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. He developed the first circulation model of the Gulf of Saint Lawrence (Canada) and demonstrated the relationship of the river run-off change for hydroelectric production with the changes in ocean circulation in this region of the Globe. Dr. Toro is a specialist in dynamical oceanography and in the development of ocean hydrodynamic models, climate change adaptation and mitigation, sustainable development and ocean governance. He also has an extensive experience in project development in the SIDS.

In the 1980s Cesar TORO worked for several years at the National Institute of Scientific Research - Oceanology in Quebec, Canada. In 1991 joined Fugro -Oceanor (Norway) where he was Senior Oceanographer and Senior Manager for the Americas for more than a decade. During these years he participated and managed scientific projects and feasibility studies for maritime engineering works design and applied oceanography especially for the oil and gas industry in countries of Europe, Africa, Asia and the Americas.

Since 2001 Cesar TORO has been in charge of the Subcommission for the Caribbean and Adjacent Regions IOCARIBE of the Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission 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 he has promoted the development of marine and ocean sciences and technology in the states of the region through the strengthening of institutional capacity, coordination of intergovernmental group and networks of scientists and experts. He coordinates UNESCO IOC 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 development agencies.

Dr. Toro has chaired a large number of expert groups and committees and has led dozens of large multidisciplinary projects. It has also contributed to the development of the IOC's capacity development strategy and its implementation in the IOCARIBE 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, including the UNESCO Report on Science - "Towards 2030."