IN NEWS – IIOSC-2025 inaugurated at INCOIS, Hyderabad

Why IIOSC-2025 in News?

• The International Indian Ocean Science Conference 2025 (IIOSC-2025) commenced at INCOIS, Hyderabad.

• Focus on ocean sustainability, resilience, safety, and India's leadership in ocean research under the U.N. Decade of Ocean Science.

• About 500 delegates from 15 countries participating, representing academia, research bodies, industry and NGOs.

• Aims to review progress under International Indian Ocean Expedition (IIOE-2) 2015–2025.


What is IIOSC-2025?

• A five-day international conference on Indian Ocean research, hosted by the Indian National Centre for Ocean Information Services (INCOIS).

• Serves as a platform to exchange research, identify knowledge gaps, and develop a future roadmap for ocean science.


Objectives

• Showcase scientific outcomes and progress during IIOE-2 (2015–2025).

• Strengthen international collaboration on Indian Ocean research.

• Address outstanding scientific questions related to ocean health, resilience and sustainability.

• Contribute to the UN Decade of Ocean Science for Sustainable Development.


Role and Functions

• Facilitates interaction among scientists working on oceanography and marine research.

• Promotes capacity building and encourages early-career scientists.

• Discusses initiatives for improving coastal monitoring and marine spatial planning.

• Enhances engagement of research communities in Western Indian Ocean, marginal seas, and Bay of Bengal region.


Themes and Discussion Areas

• Coastal research, ocean monitoring and resilience frameworks.

• Marine spatial planning (MSP) and ocean-based policy research.

• Knowledge gap identification related to Indian Ocean dynamics.

• Strategies for international cooperation and institutional participation.


Importance for India

• Reinforces India's leadership role in Indian Ocean science and policy frameworks.

• Supports national and global drivers for sustainable marine resource management.

• Enhances scientific inputs for maritime security, climate prediction and disaster resilience.


Way Forward

• Adoption of collaborative projects under UN Ocean Science Decade.

• Promotion of data-sharing networks and integrated monitoring systems.

• Prioritising research on coastal vulnerability, climate risk and ecosystem health.

• Institutional support for young researchers and long-term ocean observation missions.


Updated – 01 December 2025 ; 6:30 PM  | News Source: The Hindu