IOCINDIO Sets Indian Ocean Science Priorities and Elects New Leadership Through 2037

20 October 2026
Edited By: Ed Freeman

Member States of the Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission (IOC) of UNESCO's Sub-Commission for the Central Indian Ocean (IOCINDIO) met in Bali from October 12–14, 2026 for the Sub-Commission's second intergovernmental session. The meeting was hosted by Indonesia's Agency for Meteorology, Climatology and Geophysics (BMKG). It came in two parts: a strategic workshop on October 12, followed by the formal session on October 13 and 14.

Deleagates at IOCINDIO-II. (Credit: UNESCO)

It was the second session since IOCINDIO became an intergovernmental Sub-Commission of IOC.

The workshop opened with remarks by Prof. Teuku Faisal Fathani, Head of BMKG, and a keynote by Dr. Ardhasena Sopaheluwakan. Member States then reported on their recent activities and support needs. In working groups, they identified regional priorities, gaps, and emerging needs over two time frames:

2028–2029: detailed priorities to inform UNESCO’s next program and budget.

2030 and beyond: strategic priorities to shape the IOC’s next Medium-Term Strategy, for 2030–2037.

These priorities fed directly into the formal session. Member States finalized a set of priority activities for 2028–2029.

The workshop also looked ahead to the 2027 Ocean Decade Conference in Rio de Janeiro. Participants discussed an Indian Ocean Regional Blueprint to set out the region’s priorities and contributions.

In a video message, the IOC Executive Secretary, Vidar Helgesen, thanked Indonesia for hosting the session. He encouraged countries to focus on a manageable set of priorities and to be ambitious and forward-looking in shaping the region’s contribution to global ocean science and policy.

Member States welcomed a major milestone: the decision by the IOC Executive Council to establish the IOCINDIO Secretariat at the Indian National Centre for Ocean Information Services (INCOIS) in Hyderabad, India. The new Secretariat will strengthen the Sub-Commission’s capacity, visibility, and long-term sustainability. IOCINDIO also continues to grow. Seychelles became its 14th Member State and Kenya its 15th.

Delegates reviewed the full range of IOC work in the region:

High seas biodiversity. The Agreement on Biodiversity Beyond National Jurisdiction (BBNJ) entered into force on January 17, 2026, and its first Conference of the Parties takes place in January 2027. IOCINDIO will help map the capacity and technology needs of its Member States for implementing the Agreement.

Tsunami preparedness. Countries were urged to build on the IOWave25 exercise, strengthen observing networks, and expand the UNESCO-IOC Tsunami Ready Recognition Programme. The Banda Aceh Statement will be promoted across the region.

Ocean data. Six IOCINDIO Member States have no national ocean data center. The region aims to set up at least two new nodes each for the Ocean Data and Information System (ODIS) and the Ocean Biodiversity Information System (OBIS).

Capacity and ocean literacy. More than 1,000 people from the region have been trained through the OceanTeacher Global Academy over the past five years. Four of its training centers are hosted in India, Indonesia, and the Russian Federation. The University of Khorfakkan in the United Arab Emirates offered to host a regional training course on identifying harmful algal bloom species in 2027.

Sustainable ocean planning. A first information session for the region is planned for the first half of 2027.

Member States elected Dr. T.M. Balakrishnan Nair (India) as Chair of IOCINDIO by acclamation. In a secret ballot, they elected two Vice-Chairs: Dr. Turki Al-Said (Kuwait) and Dr. Badal Mohammed Rezah (Mauritius). All three will serve from October 2026 to October 2028.

The Sub-Commission thanked the outgoing Chair, Dr. Saif AlGhais, and the Bureau for their leadership during the intersessional period.

IOCINDIO is ready for its next chapter. It has priorities set for 2028–2029, a new Secretariat on the way, and new officers in place. The Session’s Decisions and Recommendations will now go to the 34th Session of the IOC Assembly in 2027, and the next IOCINDIO Session will take place in 2028. In the meantime, the 2028–2029 biennium will lay the foundations for the 2030–2037 strategy, so that ocean science continues to help Central Indian Ocean countries protect their coasts, share knowledge, and make informed decisions.