The Eighth Session of the UNESCO-IOC Sub-Commission for Africa and the Adjacent Island States (IOCAFRICA) was held from 7–9 May 2025 in the historic coastal city of Mombasa, Kenya. The session brought together representatives from IOCAFRICA Member States, international partners, and intergovernmental organizations to review the implementation of the 2024–2025 biennial workplan, formulate the upcoming 2026–2027 workplan, and elect new IOCAFRICA officers.
UNESCO-IOC advances ‘fit-for-purpose’ ocean science in Africa
Delegates from 13 Member States, along with global partners, participated in the highly productive meeting. Notably, Mr. Vidar Helgesen, Executive Secretary of the UNESCO Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission (IOC) and Assistant Director-General of UNESCO, addressed the session. He underscored the importance of robust financial frameworks in addressing global challenges and reaffirmed UNESCO-IOC’s commitment to promoting transformative ocean science. Mr. Helgesen emphasized the organization's priorities in ocean observation, data and information management, conservation, sustainable development, and the blue economy. He also highlighted the necessity of effective partnerships in achieving the objectives of the UN Decade of Ocean Science for Sustainable Development (2021–2030).