From June 24 to July 3, 2025, the Vietnamese delegation, led by Assoc. Prof. Dr. Dao Viet Ha – Director of the Institute of Oceanography, Vietnam Academy of Science and Technology, and Chair of IOC Vietnam – attended the 58th Session of the Executive Council and the 33rd General Assembly of the Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission (IOC) at the UNESCO Headquarters in Paris, France.

The IOC General Assembly, as the highest decision-making body of the Commission, convenes biennially. With the participation of over 150 member states, this session not only reviewed the activities of the past term but also set strategic directions for the development of global marine science in the context of climate change, ocean pollution, and other global challenges.

The Vietnamese delegation at the opening ceremony of the 33rd IOC General Assembly, held at UNESCO Headquarters, Paris, on June 25, 2025.

During the plenary sessions, the Vietnamese delegation delivered two official statements, emphasizing Vietnam's active role and strong commitment in marine scientific research, capacity building, and technology transfer. The delegation also introduced Vietnam’s initiatives and achievements within the IOC/WESTPAC framework, notably the activities of the IOC Regional Research and Training Center on Marine Toxins and Seafood Safety (IOC/WESTPAC RTRC-MTSS) hosted by the Institute of Oceanography, Vietnam Academy of Science and Technology. These contributions further reinforced Vietnam’s role in promoting the United Nations Decade of Ocean Science for Sustainable Development.

Notably, on July 2, during the IOC General Assembly, the election of the new IOC leadership and Executive Council members was conducted. Vietnam exercised its voting rights, actively participating in the decision-making process, affirming its responsible engagement in multilateral cooperation mechanisms for ocean governance and science.

Assoc. Prof. Dr. Dao Viet Ha, representing Viet Nam, casted a vote during the election of the IOC leadership and Executive Council members at the 33rd IOC General Assembly, held at UNESCO Headquarters, Paris, on July 2, 2025.

Participation in the 33rd IOC General Assembly not only reaffirms Vietnam’s position within the international marine science community, but also opens up practical cooperation opportunities in research, education, technology transfer, and sustainable marine and island resource management.

Vietnamese delegates and representatives from IOC/WESTPAC member countries posed for a commemorative photo in front of UNESCO Headquarters (Paris, France) during the 33rd IOC General Assembly, June 2025.

(IOC Viet Nam)