Archive

The IHO paid a high level visit to the Plurinational State of Bolivia on 5 and 6 September, during which hydrographic services for inland waterways were discussed. The landlocked nation borders on several lakes, including Lake Titicaca, the highest navigable lake in the world, and also has rivers which form part of the Amazon Basin. These play a vital role in the transport of people and goods in the region.

Due to uncertainties regarding the availability of the traditional venue for the Assembly linked with its current use, the IHO Secretariat looked for alternatives. The Directing Committee has, after careful consideration and bearing in mind the organizational, logistical and financial consequences not limited to the Secretariat, decided that the 3rd Session of the IHO Assembly will take place at the Grimaldi Forum in the Principality of Monaco from 2 to 5 May 2023.

The IHO attended the graduation ceremony for the ten Hydrographic Science students at the University of Southern Mississippi (USM), USA, on Friday 29 July . Of these, three students from Bangladesh, Philippines, and Thailand were part of the Category "A" Master of Science in Hydrographic Science Programme under the IHO-Republic of Korea (ROK) Programme of Technical Cooperation.

The IHO organized a side event on the role of marine data to help address the competing needs of a broad range of ocean stakeholders at the UN Ocean Conference in Lisbon on 28 June 2022. With many sessions during the week highlighting the need for baseline data and ocean mapping to support decision-making, this side event enabled panellists to draw attention to the central role hydrography can play in these endeavours.

As part of its mission to contribute proactively to global initiatives in favour of the ocean, the IHO participated in the 55^th meeting of the IOC UNESCO Executive Council in Paris 13-17 June 2022. Discussions focused on the state of the ocean and provided insight into how the IHO could contribute to key activities such as the UN Decade, as well as provide an update on joint projects including GEBCO.

The Inter-Regional Coordination Committee (IRCC) met last week in Denpasar, Bali to review progress and next steps for the Regional Hydrographic Commissions and various thematic working groups. Hosted by Pushidrosal, the Hydrographic and Oceanographic Centre of the Indonesian Navy, it provided a forum to discuss ocean mapping, nautical cartography, capacity-building, etc. as well as to identify actions to be taken at regional and global levels. 

The Capacity Building Sub-Committee (CBSC) met last week in Denpasar, Bali, for its annual meeting where participants discussed training and education initiatives. Hosted by Pushidrosal, the Hydrographic and Oceanographic Centre of the Indonesian Navy, the gathering enabled the Committee members to review projects such as the IHO e-learning centre and achievements of the Empowering Women in Hydrography project.

Pushidrosal, the Hydrographic and Oceanographic Centre of the Indonesia Navy, hosted the annual meeting of the Hydrographic Services and Standards Committee (HSSC) last week, in Denpasar, Bali.

Celebrated on 21 June, World Hydrography Day is designed to raise awareness about hydrography and how it plays a role in improved knowledge of the seas and oceans.