History and development

Vietnam was one of the first 40 nations participating in the establishment of the Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission (IOC) in 1960. IOC is a scientific organization of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO). IOC promotes international cooperation and coordinates programs in marine research, services, observation systems, hazard mitigation, and capacity development in order to understand and effectively manage the resources of the ocean and coastal areas. By applying this knowledge, the Commission aims to improve the governance, management, institutional capacity, and decision-making processes of its Member States with respect to marine resources and climate variability and to foster sustainable development of the marine environment, in particular in developing countries.

IOCVN was established by the Decision No. 173-CT dated 17th July 1986 of the Chairman of the Minister Council to establish National Committees on Technical Scientific Programs of UNESCO. The working regulations of IOCVN were promulgated by the Decision No. 143/QĐ-UBQG UNESCO dated 18th March 2013 of the Vietnam National Commission for UNESCO.

Tasks and functions

1. IOCVN is the national focal point to operate and carry out marine research activities under the framework of IOC/UNESCO scientific programs, in the framework of IOC/UNESCO/Paris.

2. Study and submit to higher authorities (the Government, UNESCO Vietnam, Vietnam Academy of Science and Technology) the direction, policies, programs and action plans of Vietnam in accordance with IOC/UNESCO programs and activities.

3. Co-ordinate and regulate activities of agencies related to IOC/UNESCO work in order to perform duties and powers of Vietnam as a Member State of IOC/UNESCO.

4. Provide information on IOC/UNESCO activities to related local agencies.

5. Communicate with IOC/UNESCO/Paris, IOC/UNESCO Regional Offices and National Committees for IOC/UNESCO of other Member States.

6. Cooperate with IOC/UNESCO/Paris, IOC/UNESCO Regional Offices and National Committees for IOC/UNESCO of other Member States to carry out marine scientific activities.

Remarkable activities of IOCVN in recent years

 Hosted the 9th WESTPAC International Scientific Symposium, 22-25 April 2014, Nha Trang, Viet Nam

The National IOC Committee for Vietnam, the Institute of Oceanography (VAST), and the IOC Sub-Commission for the Western Pacific (WESTPAC) jointly organized the 9th WESTPAC International Scientific Symposium, 22-25 April 2014, Nha Trang, Viet Nam. The four day WESTPAC 9th International Scientific Symposium, entitled “A Healthy Ocean for Prosperity in the Western Pacific: Scientific Challenges and Possible Solutions ” concluded on 25 April 2014 with participation of close to six hundred marine scientists, and governmental officials from 24 countries within and outside the region. The Symposium featured 6 keynote lectures, 14 sessions, and 9 workshops structured around four themes: (1) Understanding Ocean Processes in the Indo-Pacific Region; (2) Ensuring Marine Biodiversity, Food Safety and Security; (3) Maintenance of Ocean Health; and (4) Cross-Cutting and Emerging Issues.

During the Symposium, five marine scientists were awarded WESTPAC Outstanding Scientists 2014, including Assoc. Prof. DSc. Nguyen Tac An, former Director of the Institute of Oceanography, Chairman of IOCVN from 2002 to 2012. Five Best Young Scientists 2014 were also selected, among them one was from Vietnam.

Especially one open-ended Research Directors’ Forum was convened on 22 April 2014 as part of the Symposium. Over 45 directors, representatives and regional experts from marine scientific institutes, academic faculties and/or operational agencies in the Indo-Pacific met at the Forum, aiming to build and enhance networks; exchange strategic directions of their institutions; identify scientific and technical challenges; and spark regional actions in the framework of IOC for future collaborations by exploring any opportunity of synergizing existing and planned observations through the emerging Indo-Pacific Ocean Observation Network (IPON). The forum concluded with one Joint Directors’ Statement adopted towards the attainment of the future we want: “A Healthy and Safe Ocean for Prosperity in the Indo-Pacific region”.

The Symposium was considered the most significant symposium in IOC/WESTPAC history, breaking records in the number of participants, and also the most important event to mark the 25th founding anniversary of IOC/WESTPAC.

 Leader of the project “Marine Toxins and Seafood Safety” (2010 – 2020)

Vietnam is the leader of the project “Marine Toxins and Seafood Safety”. Dr. Dao Viet Ha, Vice Director of Institute of Oceanography is the project leader. 6 scientific workshops and 3 training courses had been organized by the project in Vietnam and other countries.

 Elected to be member of IOC’s Executive Council and WESTPAC’s leaders

Vietnam was elected to be member of IOC’s Executive Council in period of 2001-2003.
Prof. DSc. Dang Ngoc Thanh, former Vice President of Vietnam Academy of Science and Technology, was elected to be the First Vice Chairperson of IOC/WESTPAC in two continuous terms (2002-2005 and 2005-2008);

Assoc. Prof. Dr. Vo Si Tuan, Director of the Institute of Oceanography was elected to be the second Vice Chairperson of IOC/WESTPAC in two continuous terms (2012-2014 and 2015-2017) and Chairperson of IOC/WESTPAC in term of 2017-2019. He is also a member of the WESTPAC Advisory Group since 2013 up to present.

 Implementing local projects

In recent years, IOCVN implemented several local projects such as: Setting a collection and posters of images of common gastropods in coastal waters of Khanh Hoa province (2013-2014), Investigation and setting a collection of common and rare fish species in the South Central sea waters (2014), and Publishing the book “Sea Snakes in Vietnam” (2015-2016).

IOCVN is a clue agency gathering many national marine research institutions and universities in Vietnam to implement a national level project on “Process studies on air - sea - mainland interactions and environmental variations of Bien Dong in the context of climate change within the framework of IOC/WESTPAC”, in period of 2017-2020.

Organizational Structure

IOCVN includes: Chairman, Vice-Chairman, Members (representatives from different national ministries and organizations concerning marine science) and Secretary.

Leaders of IOCVN through different terms:

- Prof. DSc. Dang Ngoc Thanh, former Vice President of Vietnam Academy of Science and Technology, Chairman (1986 - 2002);

- Assoc. Prof. DSc. Nguyen Tac An, former Director of the Institute of Oceanography, Chairman (2002-2012);

- Assoc. Prof. Dr. Bui Hong Long, former Director of the Institute of Oceanography, Chairman (from March 2012 to present);

Members of IOCVN at present

Members of IOCVN are leaders or representatives of following agencies:

1. Institute of Oceanography, Vietnam Academy of Science and Technology (Chairman)

2. Department of International Cooperation and Science – Technology, Viet Nam Administration of Seas and Islands, Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment

3. Department of Social and Natural Sciences, Ministry of Science and Technology

4. Department of Science, Technology and Environment, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development

5. Department of Science, Technology and Environment, Ministry of Education and Training

6. Marine Affairs Department, National Boundary Commission, Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Vietnam

7. Department of International Law and Treaties, Ministry of Foreign Affairs

8. Department of Organization and Personnel, Vietnam Academy of Science and Technology

9. Department of Planning and Finance, Vietnam Academy of Science and Technology

10. Department of International Cooperation, Vietnam Academy of Science and Technology

11. Institute of Marine Geology and Geophysics, Vietnam Academy of Science and Technology

12. Institute of Marine Resources and Environment, Vietnam Academy of Science and Technology

Contact address:

1. Assoc. Prof. Dr. Bui Hong Long
Chairman of IOC VN
Institute of Oceanography
01 Cau Da, Nha Trang, Khanh Hoa, Vietnam
Tel: 84-258-3590772, Fax: 84-258-3590034
Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

2. Do Minh Thu
Secretary of IOC VN
Institute of Oceanography
01 Cau Da, Nha Trang, Khanh Hoa, Vietnam
Tel/Fax: 84-258-3590035
Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Following are some photos of Vietnam participants in IOC and WESTPAC activities:

Six Session of the IOC Sub-Commission for the Western Pacific (WESTPAC-VI), Nha Trang, Vietnam, 23-27 May 2005

Vietnam Delegation at the 7th Intergovernmental Session of the IOC Sub-Commission for the Western Pacific (WESTPAC-VII), Kota Kitabalu, Malaysia, 26-29 May 2008

Vietnam Delegation at the 25th Session of the IOC Assembly, Paris, France, June 2009

The 2nd IOC/WESTPAC-TMO and – HAB Joint Training Course
“Immunological method for detection of domoic acid in plankton and shellfish”
Institute of Oceanography, Nha Trang, Viet Nam, 19 – 22 March 2011

IOC/WESTPAC-TMO and HAB joint training workshop on “Immunological method for detection of domoic acid in plankton and shellfish”, Institute of Oceanography, Nha Trang, Viet Nam, 19-22 March 2012

 

Some photos of 9th WESTPAC International Scientific Symposium, 22-25 April 2014, Nha Trang, Viet Nam:

Group phto

Assoc. Prof. DSc Nguyen Tac An awarded WESTPAC Outstanding Scientists 2014

Research Directors’ Forum

 

Vietnam Delegation at the 28th Session of the IOC Assembly, 15–25 June 2015

 

WESTPAC Advisory Group Meeting 2016, Yogyakarta, Indonesia, 13-15 January 2016

WESTPAC Advisory Group Meeting 2016, Qingdao, China, 28-30 November 2016

Vietnam Delegation at the 10th WESTPAC International Scientific Conference, Qingdao, China, 17-20 April 2017

Vietnam Delegation at the 11th Intergovernmental Session of the IOC Sub-Commission for the Western Pacific (WESTPAC-XI), Qingdao, China, 21-23 April 2017

Assoc. Prof. Dr. Vo Si Tuan was elected as Chairperson of WESTPAC for the period of 2017-2019

Assoc. Prof. Dr. Vo Si Tuan, Director of IO, Chairperson of IOC/WESTPAC presents Report on WESTPAC's Activities at the 29th Session of the IOC Assembly, 21–29 June 2017.

WESTPAC Training Workshop on “Applying analytical method for detecting Ciguatoxins (CTXs) in fish”, Institute of Oceanography, Nha Trang, Viet Nam, 5 - 9 April 2018