At the 5th United Nations Ocean Forum in Geneva, the IOI delegation contributed to crucial discussions on maritime trade and ocean sustainability. Through active participation in side events focused on capacity-building, trade policies, and innovative ocean solutions, the IOI continues to advance its mission of fostering global collaboration and sustainable ocean governance.

From April 14 to 25, the first session of the Preparatory Commission for the Entry into Force of the BBNJ Agreement was held at the UN HQ. IOI’s Liliana Rodriguez Cortes attended the session, where critical discussions were held on governance, inclusivity, and the mechanisms needed to implement the BBNJ Agreement. Read on for a summary of key outcomes and the next steps in this vital process.

HE Prof Frida Maria Armas Pfirter, Judge, International Tribunal for the Law of the Sea, and Director of the IOI Chile Training Programme, visited the IOI Headquarters on 24th April. During the meeting, the importance of strengthening ocean governance in Latin American countries, with a focus on the rule of law and regional cooperation, was cordially discussed.

The first IOI Alumni CPD webinar in the 2025 Series, focused for the first time specifically on the ocean economy, examining how trade and investment policies can align more closely with sustainable ocean governance and climate resilience.

Registrations are now open for IOI Ocean Academy free online Ocean Literacy modules to be delivered in Thai, Urdu and French. More modules in different languages are opening soon. Around 200 participants successfully completed IOI Ocean Academy modules since the beginning of the year.