The purpose of the UNESCO-IOC Commission it to promote international cooperation and to coordinate programmes in research, services and capacity building, in order to learn more about the nature and resources of the ocean and coastal areas and to apply that knowledge for the improvement of management, sustainable development, the protection of the marine environment, and the decision-making process of its 150 Member States. (Statutes, Art.2). IOC is established as a body with functionnal autonomy within UNESCO. 

The Assembly is the principal organ of the Commission. Convened every two years, it establishes general policy and the main lines of work of the Commission, and provides the IOC biennial draft Programme and Budget. 

During the course of each session, the Assembly elect a Chairperson and five Vice-chairpersons representing five geographic and electoral groups. They constitute the Officers of the Commission. For more information, visit the IOC ELECTIONS 2025 webpage. 

Before the Assembly session, the IOC Executive Council will meet for its 58^th session on 24 June 2025 and will act as the steering committee for the Assembly.

The provisional agenda and timetable for the session were discussed with the IOC Officers at their January 2025 meeting.  The Action Paper provides the information necessary for effective participation in the discussion for each item on the agenda. 

New documents

Tuesday 24 June 2025

• Draft Resolution on item 4.8 (Ocean Decade mid-terme evaluation) - for information pending the Resolutions Committee review
• Draft Resolution on item 3.3.1 (Strengthening the IOCAFRICA Secretariat) - for information pending the Resolutions Committee review
• Template for submission of statements delivered during the Assembly

Wednesday 25 June

• IOC/A-33/5.1.Doc(2): Report of the Chairperson of the IOC Intersessional Financial Advisory Group (2024-2025), 23 June 2025
• IOC/EC-58/Decisions: Decisions adopted by the IOC Executive Council at its 58th session, 24 June 2025

Thursday 26 June

• Draft Resolution on item 3.3.1 (Strengthening the IOCAFRICA Secretariat) (revised)- for information pending the Resolutions Committee review

Friday 27 June

• IOC/A-33/NOM/WP3: List of candidates for elections (27 June, 19:00)

Monday 30 June

• IOC/A-33/3.1.Inf.1: Statement of the IOC Chairperson under item 3.1

Tuesday 1st July

• IOC/EC-58/SR Prov.: Summary Report of the 58th Session of the IOC Executive Council, 24 June 2025
• IOC/A-33/5.5.NOM(1): List of candidates for election (27 June, 18:00) 

Wednesday 2nd July

• DRAFT RESOLUTION A-33/DR.[4.8]: Implementation of the United Nations Decade of Ocean Science for Sustainable Development (2021-2030)
• DRAFT RESOLUTION A-33/DR.[3.3.1] Strengthening the IOCAFRICA Secretariat: a strategic imperative for advancing ocean science and governance in Africa and small island States
• DRAFT RESOLUTION A-33/DR.[5.4]  Governance, programming and budgeting matters of the Commission

Access the webcast of the Assembly session here from 25 June to 3 July 2025.

Visit the information page on conferences and parallel events here.

▼Scroll through the dynamic table of events and side meetings until you reach the desired date, then click on an event for more details.▼