Global hydrographic community gathers in Monaco for IHO Assembly, including new member Panama
Government representatives, maritime authorities, international organizations, and industry leaders from across the world are gathering in Monaco this week (20-23 April) for the Assembly of the International Hydrographic Organization (IHO), the principal global forum for decisions on hydrography, seabed mapping, and maritime data standards.
Held every three years, Assembly is the Organization’s principal decision-making body. Delegates from the 104 Member States, together with observers from international organizations, will meet to review global progress in hydrography and set priorities for the next triennium. The 2026 Assembly will be particularly significant as it includes the election of the Secretary-General and Director who will lead the Organization in the years ahead.
The Assembly will open on Monday 20 April in the presence of HSH Prince Albert II of Monaco. His Serene Highness will also present the prestigious Prince Albert I Medal for Hydrography, awarded to individuals who have made outstanding contributions to the field.
The official sessions will be chaired by Michel Amafo of Suriname and will also mark the formal welcome of new Member States to the global hydrographic community, including Cabo Verde, Kiribati, The Gambia, Lithuania, The Bahamas, and Panama, whose flags will be presented during the opening ceremony.
Panama has a coastline extending approximately 2,950 kilometres along both the Caribbean Sea and the Pacific Ocean, and an Exclusive Economic Zone covering nearly 210,000 square kilometres. The country plays a central role in international maritime trade through its 48 ports and the 80-kilometre Panama Canal connecting the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans.
Commenting on the country’s accession in January 2026, Luigi Sinapi, Director of the IHO, highlighted the strategic importance of the move, saying: “Panama’s accession to the IHO is a significant milestone for the global hydrographic community. As a central hub of international navigation and steward of the Panama Canal, Panama’s full participation will enhance safety of navigation, improve charting quality, and strengthen maritime trade resilience. Its active engagement within IHO and regional bodies will deepen cooperation and technical exchange across the region. We look forward to partnering with Panama to advance modern nautical information services and support a safer, more interoperable maritime domain for all.”
Through its membership of the IHO, Panama will be able to contribute actively to the development and implementation of international hydrographic standards. It will also be able to contribute to international initiatives in favour of ocean mapping along its coasts spanning two oceans, such as Crowd-Sourced Bathymetry and the Nippon Foundation GEBCO Seabed2030 project.
Welcoming the accession, Max Florez-Arias, Director General of Ports and Maritime Ancillary Industries at the Panama Maritime Authority, emphasised the country’s commitment:, saying “Panama has completed its formal accession to the International Hydrographic Organization (IHO), a milestone that underscores the country's strong commitment to maritime safety and environmental protection. As a member of the IHO, Panama will strengthen its capabilities in nautical cartography by adopting and applying high global standards to optimise safe navigation and safeguard human life at sea”