1st Assembly on Mapping our Seas, Oceans and Waterways - More Important Than Ever
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1st Assembly on Mapping our Seas, Oceans and Waterways - More Important Than Ever

After nearly a century in Monaco, the IHO will enter its second century under a revised governance structure, with the 1st Session of the IHO Assembly taking place from 24 to 28 April 2017. Over 300 delegates representing its 85 Member States, together with representatives from international and non–governmental organizations and observers from other States and industry will meet in the Auditorium Rainier III in Monaco.

The International Hydrographic Organization (IHO) is the inter-governmental consultative and technical organization whose principal aim is to ensure that all the world's seas, oceans and navigable waters are adequately surveyed and charted.

There will be plenty for the IHO Assembly to consider - at a time when mankind is looking ever more closely at the seas and oceans in terms of its environmental impact and its economic resources. Yet, our knowledge of most of the seas and oceans remains relatively poor. There are better maps of the Moon and Mars than for most of the oceans. IHO figures show that less than 15% of the deeper ocean waters have been directly measured, while up to 50% of the world’s coastal waters have yet to be surveyed.

Report on Progress

It is expected that HSH Prince Albert II of Monaco will open the IHO Assembly at 10:00 on 24 April 2017. The Assembly will consider a report of the progress made by the Organization in the development of technical standards and services since the last ordinary session of the International Hydrographic Conference (the predecessor of the Assembly) in 2012. It will also review the achievements of the Inter-Regional Coordination Programme, which covers key targets of the IHO’s capacity building programme.

Several proposals submitted by the IHO Member States and the IHO Secretariat will be considered during the week. These embrace a wide spectrum of activities and themes and will be taken into account in the consideration of a revised Strategic Plan, and the 2018-20 IHO Work Programme and Budget that the representatives of the Member States will adopt as part of the Assembly proceedings.

Election of New Secretary-General

The 1st Session of the IHO Assembly will conclude on Friday 28 April 2017 with the election of a new Secretary-General of the IHO and two Directors who will run and manage the IHO Secretariat for the next period between ordinary sessions of the Assembly, which are held every three years.

Technology Exhibitions

Technology in hydrographic systems and geospatial information will be on display in an Industry Exhibition in the Auditorium Rainier III, together with innovative products and services being displayed by Member States at the IHO Member States’ Exhibition under the theme: “From data collection to hydrographic products and services”.

Visiting Ships

Six visiting ships from Brazil, China, France, Italy, United Kingdom and United States are also expected in Port Hercule during the Assembly period, supporting the theme for World Hydrography Day in 2017 which is: “Mapping our seas, oceans and waterways - more important than ever”.

 

 

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