In an effort to revitalize Member States cooperation in ocean science, governance and climate change in the Central Indian Ocean, the Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission (IOC) of UNESCO is holding the Fifth Session of the IOC Regional Committee for the Central Indian Ocean (IOCINDIO-V) in Chennai, India, from 25 to 27 April 2016.
Responsible for the coordination and implementation of IOC programmes in the Central Indian Ocean, IOCINDIO has not met officially since its Fourth Session held in December 2005, although several informal regional consultations have taken place in the past few years.
Upon the kind invitation of the Government of India, the Committee meeting comes right at a time of strong interest in the revitalization of this regional body, especially as a number of international initiatives in the Central Indian Ocean region brings together great opportunities for a reinforced engagement of IOCINDIO Member States. In particular, the Second International Indian Ocean Expedition (2015-2020), the Decade of African Seas and Oceans (2015-2025), and a significant number of IOC-related programmes and activities including tsunami warning systems; the Global Sea Level Observing System; the Global Ocean Observing System and its Indian Ocean Observing System; the International Oceanographic Data and Information Exchange; integrated coastal area management; and the recently adopted IOC Capacity Development Strategy.
Over the three days at IOCINDIO-V in Chennai, Member States and partners will present an overview and review the progress achieved in the implementation of IOC programmes in the Central Indian Ocean, share best practices and lessons learnt. The Committee will design a work plan for 2016-2018 based on regional priorities and needs towards building new partnerships and alliances for further development of IOC activities in the region. IOCINDIO will also elect its new Officers in accordance with IOC rules of procedures.
The report and recommendations of IOCINDIO-V will be submitted for endorsement by the IOC Executive Council at its 49th Session (7-10 June 2016, UNESCO Headquarters in Paris).
IOCINDIO-V will be hosted by the Indian National Centre for Ocean Information Services and the National Institute of Ocean Technology, supported by the Ministry of Earth Sciences of the Government of India.
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Contact: For further information, please contact Mr. Justin Ahanhanzo; the IOC Regional Liaison Officer at the IOC Headquarters Secretariat at UNESCO: j.ahanhanzo(at)unesco.org or +33 (0) 1 45 68 36 41.