The U.S. Geological Survey Office of International Programs is dedicated to high quality, timely, scientific study that is international in scope and that focuses on the USGS Science Strategy's themes. These themes include ecosystems and predicting ecosystem change; climate variability and change; energy and minerals; national hazards, risk and resilience assessment; the role of environment and wildlife in human health; and a water census of the United States including collaboration in developing methods for quantifying, forecasting and securing freshwater for the future.

As one of the world’s premier science agencies, the USGS has long recognized the mutual benefits resulting from interaction with scientific partners abroad and extending research and investigations to other countries. Much can be learned about fundamental principles of science and applications of science and technology by looking at global perspectives. In fact the strategic science themes  of USGS are inherently global in nature and need international collaboration in order to make scientific progress.

The work of the USGS Office of International Programs provides significant benefits to the nation. By providing reliable scientific information about the earth and its resources from an international perspective, the Office supports US foreign policy and national security; provides a basis for science diplomacy, improves the scientific basis for managing ecosystems and natural resources, and promotes the competitiveness of the USGS private sector. For more about the benefits provided by the USGS Office of International Programs, click here to go to information on how USGS accomplishes the international mission.