The International Ocean Institute's 2024 annual programme of activities focuses strongly on the provision of the international and regional programmes on capacity development and education in ocean governance which are the hallmark of IOI, and outreach in Ocean Literacy through the global IOI Ocean Academy. Key events in 2024 reflected IOI's mission to create the ocean leaders of the future, to expand ocean literacy, and form new partnerships, with notable participation in international conferences and efforts to mainstream ocean issues within education and training.

The hallmark IOI Ocean Governance training programmes remained central to our work, with 10 in-person, online, and hybrid events training over 330 early- and mid-career practitioners from 58 countries. As always, these were delivered in close partnership with our global IOI network of Centres, Training Directors and local hosts. Additionally, four Continuous Professional Development (CPD) webinars targeting IOI alumni and Early Career Ocean Professionals (ECOPs) attracted hundreds of participants to explore issues such as ocean-climate interlinkages, seabed mining, and implementation challenges for global ocean goals.

New partnerships and regional outreach flourished in 2024. IOI Egypt Training Centre launched the first Arabic language training programme in the IOI schedule, while preparations began for IOI Chile’s inaugural Spanish-language offering in early 2025. The IOI also welcomed new Ocean Academy nodes in Algeria, Georgia, Kenya, Mexico, Morocco, and Tunisia, reflecting our emphasis on global relevance through regional voices.

In implementing its mission, the IOI gratefully acknowledges the support and guidance of the IOI Governing Board which brings to bear expertise and substantial joint experience in directing the IOI mission and plans of action. The IOI’s ambitious programmes could not be achieved without the continued and generous financial support of the Ocean Science and Research Foundation, and other sponsors and supporters. Heartfelt thanks are also due to the IOI partners and supporters, the Secretariat at IOI HQ, and the IOI family of Centre Directors and Focal Points, the Directors of the IOI Ocean Academy programmes, and IOI Alumni, who propose and implement the rich event calendar of the IOI, and to and their host institutes, for their tireless work, support and encouragement. 

I warmly invite you to read our report of activities for 2024, do take a look at our website for more information and to contact us for more information on topics of interest, 

Antonella Vassallo

Managing Director, IOI HQ