IOI Gallery for 2018
More information about the events/announcements below can be found in the in the IOInforma Archives
2nd Training Programme on Ocean Governance, Ocean Sciences and GeoEthics
(Valparaiso, Chile, 8th January - 2nd February 2018)
6th Training Programme on the Sustainable Development and Governance of the Caspian Sea, Turkmenbashi, Turkmenistan Organised by the IOI and the State Enterprise on Caspian Sea Issues at the President of Turkmenistan
(5th - 16th March 2018)
Prof Alan Deidun (Director, IOI Malta Training Centre) designated as Ocean Ambassador for Malta
Alan Deidun (Director, IOI Malta Training Centre) has been appointed Ocean Ambassador for Malta for the United Nations' 2021-2030 decade of ocean science for sustainable development. Prof. Deidun was recommended for the role by Malta’s Environment Minister José Herrera and appointed by Malta’s Foreign Minister Carmelo Abela. In his role as ambassador, Prof Deidun will be responsible for spearheading local initiatives related to ocean science and UN objectives for sustainable development.
Our congratulations go to Prof Deidun, as well as our best wishes for his success in bringing fresh attention and importance to ocean issues in his new role.
IOI delegation at the WMU-Sasakawa Global Ocean Institute inauguration
(Malmo, Sweden, 8th May 2018)
Mr Peter Leder (Treasurer, IOI Governing Board) and Ms Antonella Vassallo took part in the “Building Transformative Partnerships for Oceans Sustainability” Seminar organised in parallel with the official inauguration of the WMU-Sasakawa Global Ocean Institute on the 8th May in Malmo, Sweden. The new Institute will act as an independent focal point for ocean related dialogue and capacity-building, while also bringing to life a convergence platform where policy makers, the scientific community, regulators, industry actors, academics, and representatives of civil society can meet to discuss how best to manage and use ocean spaces and their resources for the sustainable development of present and future generations.
IOI was invited to participate in Panel Six on Civil Society where Mr Peter Leder stressed the importance of building transformative partnerships in order to deliver on the ocean related goals under the Agenda 2030. He emphasised that due attention should be focused on the issues faced by the oceans and marine sectors that are not currently adequately addressed.
Seminar on the Blue Economy “Living with the Ocean and from the Ocean in a Sustainable Relationship"
(Gozo, Malta, 19th May 2018)
The seminar organised in partnership with the Ministry for Gozo, the International Ocean Institute, Institute of Earth Systems and the University of Malta explored the concept of the Blue Economy and its potential to increase the long-term benefits of the sustainable use of marine resources. It addressed the different aspects of the Blue Economy and how the concept can be understood in its macro and micro dimensions, taking into account its original concepts and their regional and national reinterpretation, with emphasis on its importance to islands and their special vulnerabilities.
The Hon Dr Justyne Caruana, Minister for Gozo, opened the event, which was moderated by Prof Louis F. Cassar (Institute of Earth Systems, University of Malta and Governor of the IOI). The panellists consisted of Dr Awni Behnam who delivered a keynote speech entitled “The Blue Economy: Fifty Shades of Blue”; Mr Bonapas Onguglo (Head, Trade Analysis Branch, UN Convention on Trade and Development - UNCTAD, Geneva) presented on “National and Regional Blue Economy Strategies”; Dr Stefano Moncada (Lecturer, Institute for European Studies; board member, Islands and Small States Institute, University of Malta) elaborated on “Vulnerabilities of Islands and the Blue Economy”; and Ms Vicky Xuereb (Director, EcoGozo Regional Development Directorate, Ministry for Gozo) gave a presentation entitled “Achieving a Blue Economy on Gozo: Case Studies and experiences from the ECO-Gozo Project”.
The seminar concluded successfully with a lively question and answer session and a panel discussion.
“Your Ocean Your Future” - Mario Ruivo Tribute Event
(Brussels, Belgium, 6th June 2018)
A day-long event was organised by EurOcean at the Centre of Fine Arts in Brussels on the 6th of June in order to commemorate the lasting legacy of Professor Mario Ruivo. Professor Ruivo (1927-2017) was among those who supported the IOI from the early days of its founding by Professor Mann Borgese, to whom he provided friendly advice and support. This support continued through the years during his tenure as Member of the IOI Governing Board from 2005 - 2012.
Long-time IOI friends and colleagues of his, Dr Awni Behnam and Dr Iouri Oliounine (former IOI Executive Director, and Member, IOI Governing Board) delivered presentations during the event while Ms Antonella Vassallo moderated the second panel of speakers who explored the future of ocean matters, building on Professor Mario Ruivo’s legacy.
The speakers present acknowledged not only Mario Ruivo’s legacy as a true champion of the ocean, but also his invaluable contribution to the IOI over the years. IOI remains deeply appreciative of Professor Mario Ruivo’s efforts in bringing the oceans to the forefront of the scientific, political and human agenda and of his keen support to the Institute over the years.
Clean our Ocean: World Oceans Day 2018
The IOI Network celebrates globally through the activities of the IOI Centres and Focal Points
(8th June 2018)
IOI Participation in the 19th Meeting of the UN Open-ended Informal Consultative Process on Oceans and the Law of the Sea
(New York, 18th - 22nd June 2018)
An IOI delegation comprised of Dr Awni Behnam (IOI Honorary President), Ms Antonella Vassallo (IOI Managing Director) and Ms Liliana Rodriguez Cortes participated in the nineteenth meeting of the UN Open-ended Informal Consultative Process on Oceans and the Law of the Sea (ICP19) convened at the UN Headquarters in New York. The meeting brought together representatives from governments, intergovernmental organisations, non-governmental organisations, and academic institutions to examine the topic of: “Anthropogenic underwater noise.”
Key issues covered during the meeting included discussions on:
- the pervasive and complex nature of anthropogenic underwater noise;
- gaps in knowledge and lack of data on sources and impacts of anthropogenic underwater noise;
- the socioeconomic impacts of anthropogenic underwater noise on sectors such as tourism, fishing, and transportation;
- potential management approaches, including area-based management tools and environmental impact assessments; and
- characterizing anthropogenic underwater noise as a form of transboundary pollution to be mitigated and addressed through an UNGA resolution.
Meeting with the Executive Secretary of the Group of 77
On the occasion of the nineteenth session of the ICP, the IOI delegation met with the Executive Secretary of the Group of 77 Dr Mourad Ahmia who expressed his recognition of the long standing and valuable contribution of IOI in capacity building for developing countries to meet current and future ocean challenges. He referred to the importance of the forthcoming negotiations on marine biodiversity of areas beyond national jurisdiction and the need for capacity development in the follow up process and the role IOI should play.
The Honorary President of IOI, was invited to give a presentation to the UN Nippon Foundation Fellows of 2018
During his visit to New York, Dr Awni Behnam was also invited by the representatives of UN DOALOS to speak to the 2018 group of Nippon Fellows. Dr Behnam gave a presentation on Maritime Transport and Seaborne Trade, giving a brief history of the development of maritime law as well as touching on the biggest challenges currently being faced. The Fellows provided very positive feedback on the presentation and appreciated, in particular, the information shared by Dr Behnam based not only on his long-standing experience and insight on maritime transport, but also on the negotiations leading to the adoption of UNCLOS and the development of the Law of the Sea in general.
The 38th Training Programme on Ocean Governance: Policy, Law and Management held in Halifax, Canada
(23rd May - 20th July 2018)
6th IOI Training Programme on Regional Ocean Governance for the Western Pacific organised by IOI-China with the support of the State Oceanic Administration of China (SOA) held at the Astor Plaza, Tianjin, PR China
(21st August - 14th September 2018)
The 3rd Training Programme on Regional Ocean Governance Framework, Implementation of the United Nations Convention on the Law Of The Sea (UNCLOS) and its Related Instruments in the Southeast Asian Seas and the Indian Ocean, in Hua Hin District, Prachub Khiri Khan Province, Thailand
(1st - 27th July 2018)
IOI participation in the 2nd Ocean Forum on Trade-Related Aspects of SDG 14, Geneva, Switzerland
(16th - 17th July 2018)
6th IOI Training Programme on Regional Ocean Governance for the Western Pacific organised by IOI-China with the support of the State Oceanic Administration of China (SOA) in Tianjin, PR China
(21st August - 14th September 2018)
5th IOI Training Programme on Ocean Governance for Africa, Kirstenbosch, Cape Town, South Africa
(3rd - 28th September 2018)
Training workshop
The Egyptian Seas: Governance, Law, and Management for a Sustainable Future”, NIOF, Suez Branch, Egypt
(9th to 13th September 2018)
A five-day training workshop was organised by IOI Egypt at the National Institute of Oceanography and Fisheries (NIOF), Suez Branch in cooperation with NIOF, the host institute of the IOI Egypt Centre. 20 participants attended the workshop, all from different backgrounds, but all of them having in common their work in marine related fields.
The workshop started with an opening speech from Prof Manal Sabra (Director of the NIOF Suez Branch), followed by a course overview delivered by Dr Lamiaa Mohamedein (IOI Egypt Director). A total of 17 lecturers, most of whom were experts working within NIOF branches (Suez, Hurghada and Alexandria), and others from the Arab Academy for Science and Technology and Maritime Transport, and the Egyptian Environmental Affairs Agency, covered 16 lectures on the legal and ecological issues that the Red Sea marine habitat is currently facing. The participants and lecturers also visited the Suez Canal Aquaculture Company where they saw a promising aquaculture project in the area.
On the final day Professor Suzan Kholif (President of NIOF) encouraged the participants to continue engaging with the local community and contribute to the better management of the Red Sea marine habitat, and afterwards distributed the certificates acknowledging the successful completion of the course.
Training workshop
The Red Sea Corals; Ecology; Protection and Restoration for a Sustainable Future, NIOF, Hurghada Branch, Egypt
(29th to 30th October 2018)
14th IOI Training Programme on Regional Ocean Governance for the Mediterranean, Black, Baltic & Caspian Seas organised by IOI Training Centre in Malta with the support of the University of Malta
(5th November – 7th December 2018, Malta)
Award of the IOI Elisabeth Mann Borgese Bursary, 2018 and presentation of the results of the Bursary awarded in 2017 held at the International Ocean Institute HQ, Malta
(13th November 2018)
Outreach programmes in 2018: IOI IR Iran on issues of Climate, Ocean Governance and Ocean Literacy
Besides the World Ocean Day events previously reported in IOInforma 0418, the IOI Centre in IR Iran also organised throughout 2018 a number of thematic workshops that addressed important national and regional issues such as climate change, the promotion of ocean literacy, and the management of Marine Protected Areas and the vital ecosystem and biodiversity that they contain. These events were organised in partnership with the Iranian National Institute for Oceanography and Atmospheric Science (INIOAS).
A brief summary of these events can be found in the latest IOInforma 0119. This can be downloaded from the Documents & Publications section.
Special Seminar on
Marine Genetic Resources (MGRs): Access and Benefit-Sharing
Organised by the IOI with the support and collaboration of the European Commission Representation in Malta, during the
IOI Training Programme on Regional Ocean Governance for the Mediterranean, Black, Baltic and Caspian Seas
(Malta, 3rd December 2018)
Visit to IOI HQ by delegates from the Ministry of Natural Resources of PR China
(Malta, 10th December 2018)
High level delegates from the National Marine Data and Information Service (NMDIS) at the Ministry of Natural Resources of PR China visited the IOI HQ in Malta to explore ways of further enhancing the current cooperation between the IOI and NMDIS, which is a valued partner of the IOI in the Training Programme on Ocean Governance for the Western Pacific Region held annually in Tianjin, China.
The meeting was attended from the part of NMDIS by Dr Shi Suixiang, Secretary of the NMDIS CPC Committee and Deputy Director-General, Prof Qin Li, Executive Director, IOI China Regional Centre; Dr Yang Jinkun, Director, Marine Data Management Division, and Dr Gao Zhigang, Deputy Director, Division of S&T Planning and Management. The group have a long working relationship with the IOI - China regional centre and their expertise in marine big data and marine spatial planning is a potential new area of cooperation.
During the meeting, Antonella Vassallo and Cosmin Chivu on the part of IOI HQ also introduced the delegates to the IOI Alumni Portal, conducting an “online tour” of the facilities and discussing further ways of integrating PR China Alumni into future IOI projects and events.
IOI represented at the General Fisheries Commission for the Mediterranean (GFCM) Fish Forum
(Rome, Italy, 10th - 14th December 2018)
The General Fisheries Commission for the Mediterranean (GFCM) organised the very first GFCM Fish Forum, in which IOI was a technical partner, between the 10th and 14th December 2018 and brought together over 450 experts working on fisheries and marine sciences in the Mediterranean and the Black Sea. Consisting of three main themes namely, Better Science for Better Advice; Healthy Seas and Sustainable Fisheries; and Economic Analysis & Technology for Societal Benefit, the Forum discussed advancements in research, the integration of scientific knowledge in support of decision-making and identified research priorities for the coming decade. Moreover, the Fish Forum hosted a number of side events organised by different organisations including the Mediterranean Advisory Council (MEDAC), Oceana, the International Council for the Exploration of the Seas (ICES) amongst others. The GFCM launch of the State of Fisheries Stocks in the Mediterranean (SOMFI 2018) was a highlight of this regional gathering as it provided a general overview of the fisheries realities within the Mediterranean and Black Sea.
A detailed report can be found in the latest IOInforma 0119. This can be downloaded from the Documents & Publications section.