First Session of IHO Assembly Calls for Wider Use of Hydrographic Data

Over 350 people, comprising delegations from 77 International Hydrographic Organisation (IHO) Member and Associate Member States, UN bodies, industry partners and associated stakeholders, gathered in Monaco on 24-28 April for the First Session of the IHO Assembly. Much of the focus was on how hydrographic data is managed and shared, and how national Hydrographic Offices should engage in Marine SDI and the wider uses of hydrography.

In support of this OceanWise exhibited its Marine Mapping, Environmental Data Sharing and Publishing products and services, and promoted its Data Management Training and Capacity Building courses. The level of interest was unprecedented as the IHO community migrates from being navigational chart product and service providers to being able to actively support the Blue Economy through the wider sharing, exchange and re-use of its geospatial data, and in doing so, participate in national and regional Marine and National Spatial Data Infrastructure initiatives.

The IHO MSDI Working Group, for which OceanWise provides the Secretariat, celebrated its 10th anniversary at the event and hence reaffirmed its importance in providing support to all IHO Member States as they embark along this journey of change.