IHO Assembly heads to Monaco
Monaco, long synonymous with maritime heritage, will once again serve as the backdrop for high-level deliberation on ocean mapping when the International Hydrographic Organization convenes its Assembly from 20 to 23 April 2026. The triennial gathering draws government delegations, maritime authorities and industry principals from across the globe to address the standards and frameworks that underpin seabed mapping, nautical charting and the flow of critical ocean data – decisions whose reach extends far beyond the conference room.
As the IHO's principal decision-making body, the Assembly brings together delegates from 104 Member States alongside observers from international organizations to review global progress in hydrography and set priorities for the triennium ahead. The 2026 edition carries added weight, with the election of a new secretary-general and director among the key items on the agenda.
The Assembly will open on Monday 20 April in the presence of HSH Prince Albert II of Monaco. His Serene Highness will also present the prestigious Prince Albert I Medal for Hydrography, awarded to individuals who have made outstanding contributions to the field.
The official sessions will be chaired by Michel Amafo of Suriname and will also mark the formal welcome of new Member States to the global hydrographic community, including Cabo Verde, Kiribati, the Gambia, Lithuania, the Bahamas and Panama, whose flags will be presented during the opening ceremony.
Latest technological advances and international initiatives
Alongside the official proceedings, a Member State and Industry Exhibition will showcase the latest technological advances and international initiatives spanning hydrography, ocean mapping and maritime services. Among the highlights, Exail will present its DriX O-16 – a new transoceanic uncrewed surface vehicle capable of full ocean depth mapping, autonomous operation for up to 30 days, and a range of 3,500 nautical miles. The Nippon Foundation–GEBCO Seabed 2030 Project will display the Bathysphere, an interactive globe through which visitors can explore global seabed mapping data and track progress toward the goal of mapping the entire ocean floor.
The Assembly week will also have a visible presence on the water. The United States is expected to send the 110m oceanographic survey ship USNS Marie Tharp while Italy has confirmed the participation of the 152m destroyer Caio Duilio, both of which will be berthed in Monaco during the event.
On Wednesday 22 April, a dedicated thematic session will address two of the defining challenges in modern maritime operations. The Smart Navigation session will examine how digital technologies and international cooperation are reshaping navigation, with contributions from Nathalie Balcaen, CEO of Flemish Maritime and Coastal Services, Bernice Mahabier of the Maritime Authority Suriname, Erik Eklund of the Swedish Maritime Administration presenting the Baltic Sea e-Navigation project, and Antonio Di Lieto of Carnival Corporation's Group Center for Simulator Maritime Training. The Ocean Mapping session will turn the spotlight on the global effort to better understand the seabed, featuring Victor Vescovo, CEO of Caladan Oceanic, and Joanna Post, head of ocean observations and services at UNESCO.
On the institutional front, the IHO will use the Assembly to sign cooperation agreements with the International Association of Marine Aids to Navigation and Lighthouse Authorities (IALA) and ProtectedSeas – reflecting the organization’s commitment to advancing maritime safety and ocean stewardship through strategic partnerships.
For the first time, both the Opening Ceremony and the Thematic Session will be broadcast live on the IHO YouTube channel, extending the reach of the discussions to a global audience beyond the conference room.
