Participants of the 7th Session of the Global Synthesis and Observations Panel in The Hague, July 2014

GSOP is responsible for the definition and promotion of CLIVAR's overall global needs for sustained ocean observations, and the evaluation of model-based synthesis of ocean observations.

The CLIVAR Global Synthesis and Observations panel is established to:
1. Develop, promote and seek to implement strategies for the synthesis of global ocean, atmosphere and coupled climate information. Methods will include observation-based syntheses and model-based syntheses e.g. Reanalyses.
2. Define CLIVAR's requirement for globally sustained observations and promote the use of resulting data sets in global synthesis efforts.  Provide strategic advice and supporting evidence in collaboration with WMO and IOC bodies, to help sustain, evolve and optimise the global ocean observing system based on new science and reanalysis insights.
3. Develop metrics to evaluate ocean and coupled syntheses, to promote the utility of synthesis products for climate applications, including initialisation of coupled forecasts, detection/attribution of climate change and variability, and determining the oceans role in the global heat, water and biogeochemical cycles.
4. Provide strategic advice and direction to CLIVAR/WCRP data management and processing activities within the Framework for Ocean Observing, related to production of climate quality global ocean synthesis products.
5. Liaise and collaborate with WCRP Councils, Panels and Working Groups in identifying the requirements for, and coordinating the development of, a sustainable Earth system monitoring and prediction system.
6. The Panel will report to the CLIVAR SSG.