Indian Ocean Regional Decade Conference 2024: INCOIS takes lead in ocean decade initiatives

In alignment with the United Nations Decade of Ocean Science for Sustainable Development 2021-2030, INCOIS (Indian National Centre for Ocean Information Services) has proposed the establishment of the ‘Decade Collaborative Centre for Indian Ocean Region (DCC-IOR).’ This initiative, endorsed by the IOC (Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission), aligns with India’s commitment to the Ocean Decade and is overseen by the National Decade Coordination Committee (NDCC) through the Ministry of Earth Sciences (MoES). The DCC-IOR is organising the ‘Indian Ocean Regional Decade Conference 2024: Bridging Billions to Barcelona,’ an official prelude to the Ocean Decade Conference 2024, scheduled for February 1–3, at INCOIS, Hyderabad. The conference aims to engage stakeholders from the Indian Ocean Region, discuss future priorities for Ocean Decade Challenges, and provide a platform for regional input to the 2024 Ocean Decade Conference in Barcelona in April 2024.

The Vision 2030 process of the Ocean Decade, aimed at knowledge-based sustainable development, involves the identification of common success measures for each of the 10 Ocean Decade Challenges. The conference, known as IO-Con24, will review Vision 2030 white papers for each challenge, providing regional perspectives and insights for discussions at the Barcelona conference. Expected to be attended by over 300 participants from 30 countries, including researchers, scientists, policymakers, administrators, students, and early-career professionals, the conference will conclude with the Silver Jubilee Celebrations of INCOIS on day 3. Dr. M. Ravichandran, Secretary to the Government of India for MoES, highlights India’s substantial contributions to the IOC-UNESCO and reiterates support through the DCC-IOR. Dr. T. Srinivasa Kumar, Director of INCOIS, emphasises the centre’s commitment to planning and implementing decade-long actions in the Indian Ocean Region in collaboration with the Decade Coordinating Unit and the Decade Advisory Board. The Silver Jubilee celebrations on February 3, 2024, will feature a Foundation Day Lecture by Dr. V K Saraswat, Member (S&T), Niti Aayog, the release of a book and film on INCOIS’s 25 years of journey, the inauguration of the ‘New Satellite Data Facility,’ and the release of a ‘Postal Stamp’ commemorating 25 years of INCOIS’s services. The event, graced by Dr. M. Ravichandran, Secretary, MoES, and Chairman, INCOIS Governing Council, will be broadcast live at https:ncois.gov.in/live from 1600 hrs onwards, a statement here said on Wednesday.