Page 16 - MINISTRY OF CULTURE PR REPORT - MAY 2025 (ENGLISH)

UAE Hosts the First Intergovernmental Session of the IOC Sub-Commission

for the Central Indian Ocean

Ras Al Khaimah, May 29, 2025: The UAE National Commission for Education, Culture, and

Science, in collaboration with UNESCO’s Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission (IOC),

hosted the First Intergovernmental Session of the IOC Sub-Commission for the Central Indian
Ocean (IOCINDIO-1) recently, in Ras Al Khaimah. This milestone event reflects the UAE’s long-

standing commitment to strengthening international cooperation in scientific research and the

protection of the marine environment.

The meeting established a foundational framework for IOCINDIO’s work, strengthening regional

cooperation in ocean sciences and supporting progress toward key sustainable development goals.
It brought together experts from international organizations specializing in ocean research and

marine science.

The meeting addressed several key themes, including the development of joint strategies to

conserve marine ecosystems, the enhancement of research and technical capabilities among

member states, and the expansion of knowledge in ocean monitoring and marine resource
management. It also laid the groundwork for a collaborative framework to tackle shared

environmental challenges, such as climate change and ocean pollution.

IOCINDIO, a regional body under UNESCO’s Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission

(IOC), aims to strengthen cooperation among Indian Ocean rim countries in the fields of scientific

research and sustainable development.

Underscoring the UAE’s growing leadership on the global stage, the UAE was elected Chair of

the Commission, represented by His Excellency Dr. Saif Mohammed Al Ghais, former Director
General of the Environment Protection and Development Authority in Ras Al Khaimah. This

prestigious appointment enables the UAE to play a central role in guiding the Commission’s

strategic direction, providing technical and logistical support, and advancing the coordination of
regional scientific initiatives and events.