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Following the elections during the 3^rd session of the IHO Assembly, Dr. John Nyberg has formally taken up his role as IHO Director at the Secretariat in Monaco.

In order to get to know him better, we asked him questions about his background and aspirations for his tenure at the IHO Secretariat.

As part of its mission to “participate actively in international initiatives related to the knowledge of the sustainable use of the ocean,” the IHO participated in the 32^nd Session of the IOC UNESCO Assembly held in Paris, France from 21-30 June 2023. In addition to engaging in plenary discussions in its role as an Observer, the IHO joined IOC UNESCO in celebrating the 120^th anniversary of their joint project, the General Bathymetric Chart of the Oceans (GEBCO).

Representatives of the International Hydrographic Organization Member States, observers, and private sector, gathered in Monaco from May 1-5, 2023. The Assembly provided a forum to come together, discuss new developments in technical standards, and ocean mapping, and agree on resolutions to guide activities. Key decisions this year included the future of nautical charts and steps to ensure the ongoing transition to digital products and data services.

During the 2023 International Hydrographic Organization (IHO) Assembly, Secretary General Dr. Mathias Jonas announced the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding with the United States’ National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA). NOAA has supported the IHO since 1990 by hosting the IHO Data Center for Digital Bathymetry (DCDB), an online, open-access database that stores ocean depth data from around the world.

Representatives of the 98 Member States of the International Hydrographic Organization will gather for the Assembly, Member State and Industry Exhibition from 1 to 5 May 2023. Held every three years, the gathering provides a forum for countries to come together, discuss new developments in technical standards, ocean mapping and agree on resolutions to guide activities. Key topics this year will include the future of charts and steps to ensure the transition to digital data systems.

The ARHC has prepared a summary of activities for the past year which includes an update on the development of a pan-Arctic nautical grid and access to data and discusses the IHO roadmap for the implementation of S-100 based services, which will contribute to safety of navigation, environmental protection, and cost efficiencies.

Representatives of 26 countries sitting on the IHO Council and Observers gathered last week in Monaco to review the work carried out and establish priorities for the coming years. This included progress with the transition to digital data services through the implementation of S-100, the Universal Digital Data Model, as well as hydrography’s contribution to global initiatives such as the Digital Twin of the Ocean.

As part of its mission to induce “transformative ocean science solutions for sustainable development, connecting people and our ocean”, the United Nations Decade of Ocean Science for Sustainable Development (UN Ocean Decade) has endorsed the IHO’s Empowering Women in Hydrography (EWH) project as an Ocean Decade Action.

The IHO participated in the XIII Trans-Regional Seapower Symposium held in Venice, Italy from 5-7 October to discuss the IHO’s tasks, mission and challenges within the UN Ocean Decade. Organized by the Italian Navy and hosted in the historical setting of the Arsenal of Venice, the symposium provided an open and inclusive forum where navies, industries, public institutions, academia and international organizations engaged in across-the-board debates involving the diverse community of players in the national and international marine cluster.