The presence of the Iranian delegation in the meeting of the Indian Ocean Sub-Commission / presentation of scientific achievements and emphasis on the promotion of regional cooperation

The presence of the Iranian delegation in the meeting of the Indian Ocean Sub-Commission / presentation of scientific achievements and emphasis on the promotion of regional cooperation

The side meeting of the Indian Ocean Sub-Commission (IOCINDIO) was held on the sidelines of the Second Indian International Oceanographic Conference (IIOSC) with the presence of representatives of member countries and scientific institutions affiliated to UNESCO (IOC/UNESCO) in person and online on Wednesday, December 12, 1404 in Hyderabad, India. In this meeting, a delegation from the Islamic Republic of Iran was also present online and presented a report on the activities, regional programs and scientific initiatives of the country.

According to the public relations report of the research institute, in this meeting, Dr. Ali Mehdinia, head of the National Research Institute of Oceanography and Atmospheric Sciences, attended the regional meeting "Strengthening Ocean Sciences and Regional Cooperation" organized by the Sub-Commission of the Central Indian Ocean of UNESCO (IOCINDIO) and, on behalf of the Islamic Republic of Iran, presented a report on the performance and achievements of the Regional Training Center for Research Oceanography of West Asia (RCOWA) in the field of developing scientific capacities, promoting ocean literacy. Regional cooperation, and participation in Indian Ocean Tsunami maneuvers.

In his presentation, he pointed out the role of this regional center in capacity building in the region and its extensive programs, including holding international conferences, training courses, ocean literacy promotion projects, production of digital educational tools, and active participation in IOWave tsunami maneuvers and added:
"The RCOWA regional center has been able to play an effective role in synergizing knowledge, developing scientific cooperation and strengthening the coastal resilience of countries in the region."

The director of the research institute also emphasized the importance of the Makran area and the necessity of tsunami preparedness, and explained the recent activities of RCOWA and the research institute in the field of crisis management, early warning, and training local communities to prepare against marine hazards.

In the continuation of the meeting, Dr. Maryam Qaemi, a member of the research institute and vice president of IOCINDIO, was one of the three main speakers in the "Science and Education in the Indian Ocean Region" section.

Providing a comprehensive overview of Iran's scientific achievements in the field of coastal and offshore monitoring, ocean data generation and regional cooperation development, Ghaemi said:
"The National Institute of Oceanography has played an effective role in expanding ocean literacy, developing scientific infrastructure, and supporting regional joint programs."
In the final part of his speech, Dr. Ghaemi emphasized the necessity of strengthening data cooperation, conducting joint research patrols, developing multilateral infrastructures and creating an effective link between science, politics and society and added:
"Better use of RCOWA's capabilities can help advance the goals of the Decade of Ocean Science and strengthen Iran's role in the Northwest Indian Ocean."

The active presence of the Iranian delegation in this meeting, in addition to improving the scientific status of the country in the new structure of IOCINDIO, created a basis for the development of bilateral and multilateral cooperation, better access to international scientific and financial support and strengthening of research interactions in the Indian Ocean region.

The National Research Institute of Oceanography and Atmospheric Sciences, based on its scientific position in the region, will play an effective role in advancing programs related to the decade of ocean science for sustainable development.
The IOCINDIO meeting was an opportunity to present the experiences of the countries in the region, examine the challenges and strengthen interactions between national and international centers, which was welcomed by the attendees.