Representatives from governments, maritime authorities, international organisations and industry leaders from around the world will gather in Monaco from 20th to 23rd April for the Assembly of the International Hydrographic Organisation — the principal forum for decisions on hydrography, seabed mapping and maritime data standards.
Held every three years, the Assembly is the IHO’s central decision-making body. Delegates from 104 member states and international organisations will review progress in hydrography and set priorities for the next three-year period. The 2026 edition carries particular significance as it will include the election of a new Secretary General and Director to lead the organisation in the years ahead.
Prince Albert II will open proceedings on Monday 20th April and will present the prestigious Prince Albert I Medal for Hydrography, awarded to individuals who have made an outstanding contribution to the field. The opening ceremony will also welcome six new member states — Cabo Verde, Kiribati, Gambia, Lithuania, the Bahamas and Panama — whose flags will be presented on the day. Sessions will be chaired by Michel Amafo of Suriname.
Technology on show
Alongside the official deliberations, an exhibition at the Auditorium Rainier III will showcase technological advances in hydrography, ocean mapping and maritime services. Among the highlights, French company Exail will unveil its DriX O-16 — a new transoceanic uncrewed surface vehicle capable of full ocean-depth mapping, operating autonomously for up to 30 days with a range of 3,500 nautical miles. The Nippon Foundation-GEBCO Seabed 2030 project will present the Bathysphère, an interactive globe allowing visitors to visualise seabed data from around the world and track progress towards the ambitious goal of mapping the entirety of the ocean floor.
Several countries have confirmed the presence of research and naval vessels in Monaco during the Assembly week. The United States is expected to send the 110-metre oceanographic research vessel USNS Marie Tharp, while Italy has confirmed the participation of the 152-metre destroyer Caio Duilio.
The future of navigation and ocean mapping
A special session on Wednesday 22nd April will focus on two themes shaping the future of maritime operations. The Smart Navigation session will explore how digital technologies, maritime services and international cooperation are transforming navigation, with speakers including Nathalie Balcaen, director of Flemish Coastal and Maritime Services, Erik Eklund, Director General of the Swedish Maritime Administration, and Antonio Di Lieto of Carnival Corporation’s maritime simulation training centre.
The Ocean Mapping session will examine global efforts to better understand the seabed, featuring Victor Vescovo, CEO of Caladan Oceanic, Joanna Post of UNESCO’s ocean observations and services division, and Salomé Mormentyn, Polar Initiative coordinator at the Prince Albert II of Monaco Foundation.
The IHO will also sign cooperation agreements with the International Association of Marine Aids to Navigation and ProtectedSeas during the Assembly. For the first time, the opening ceremony and thematic session will be streamed live on the IHO’s YouTube channel.
Photo credit: Dillon Hunt, Unsplash