World Hydrography Day

The theme this year is "Seabed Mapping: Enabling Ocean Action".

This theme is selected to highlight the interrelation of IHO Strategic Plan Goal 3,“Participating actively in international initiatives related to the knowledge and the sustainable use of the Ocean”, and the tenants of Goal 2, “Increasing the use of hydrographic data for the benefit of society”, also highlighting the importance of ocean mapping as the key to enable ocean action, in full alignment with the theme of the next United Nations Ocean Conference “Accelerating action and mobilizing all actors to conserve and sustainably use the ocean” taking place in Nice, France in 2025. The proposed motto reaffirms the commitment of the international hydrographic community as a relevant partner in the global aspirations for the conservation and sustainable use of the oceans, sea and marine resources for sustainable development.

A societal benefit of seabed mapping is the baseline information in support of nautical charting as the traditional asset of IHO standardization in sea survey and sea cartography, but it also bolsters the blue economy through sustainable marine energy, supporting fisheries and coastal tourism, protecting biodiversity, or monitoring ocean changes, reliable data is the foundation for informed decision-making across industries and environmental initiatives alike.

The IHO Secretariat would like to create new videos highlighting these different aspects. Member States who are interested and able to assist with the technical production of videos are invited to contact the Secretariat.

Communications

In support of WHD 2025, the IHO Secretariat will also feed the IHO Facebook page, Twitter account, LinkedIn account and YouTube channel. The IHO Secretariat will also organize a dedicated page on the IHO website, where papers and other materials relevant to the celebration will be posted.

Member States are invited to forward to the Secretariat any materials that they may create in support of their national WHD 2025 celebrations for posting on any of these platforms. Alternatively, contributors are invited to post on their own social media outlets and tag the IHO who will then share. Suggested hashtags include #WorldHydrographyDay and #WHD 

The Secretariat takes this opportunity to thank all of those Member States who have already contributed through ideas, advice and materials to this important process.

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