Strengthening Ties Between IOI and UNCTAD: A Courtesy Visit to the new Director of the Division on International Trade and Commodities
On 9th September, IOI Honorary President Dr Behnam, accompanied by programme officer C Chivu, visited UNCTAD headquarters in Geneva to meet with Ms Luz Maria de la Mora, the recently appointed Director of the Division on International Trade and Commodities at UNCTAD. Present at the meeting was David Vivas Eugui, Legal Officer in the Trade, Environment, Climate Change and Sustainable Development Branch, UNCTAD.
During the visit, the IOI delegation recognised the organisation's pivotal role in helping developing countries access global economic benefits more equitably, and conversation centred on potential avenues for future collaboration. They emphasised the longstanding cooperation between IOI and UNCTAD, particularly in the Oceans Forum series and other capacity development initiatives. Both organisations share a mutual commitment to achieving the 2030 Agenda, particularly SDG14.
During the visit, discussions centred on building upon past collaborative efforts and exploring new opportunities to support ocean communities through capacity-building activities. The meeting reaffirmed the alignment of both organisations’ missions and goals and highlighted a commitment to continue working together. IOI and UNCTAD look to continue their joint efforts in addressing ocean sustainability challenges, reinforcing the principle of the ocean as the “common heritage of humankind” and supporting future generations to benefit sustainably from the wealth of marine resources.
This visit marked another step towards reinforcing the collaborative bond between IOI and UNCTAD, ensuring that their shared vision for the sustainable use of ocean resources remains at the forefront of global development efforts.
International Delegations Visit IOI HQ to Strengthen Global Ocean Governance Collaborations
The IOI Secretariat recently received visits from key partners, reaffirming the importance placed on creating and maintaining global and local partnerships and international collaboration in ocean governance. Building a multipartner coalition to address the challenges of ocean sustainability is critical to achieving the far reaching aims of the IOI and its partners, and the global ocean community.
Visit from a High-Level Delegation, the Ministry of Natural Resources, PR China
On September 5th, the IOI welcomed a high-level delegation from the Ministry of Natural Resources (MNR) of the People's Republic of China, led by Zhuang Shaoqin, Vice Minister of Natural Resources. Accompanying Vice Minister Zhuang were Wang Huabin, Director General of the Department of Natural Resources Survey and Monitoring, Li Feng, Deputy Director General of the Bureau of Territorial and Spatial Planning, Sun Xuedong, Director General of the Information Center, Ning Jia, Senior Program Officer, International Department (and IOI Malta Programme Alumnus), and Li Chenyuan, Program Officer, General Department.
The primary focus of the meeting was to renew the long-standing collaboration between the MNR (formerly the State Oceanic Administration, SOA) and the IOI. Discussions centred on the continuation of personnel training programmes aimed at building capacity in ocean governance and sustainable management. Both parties expressed strong commitment to strengthening these initiatives, which have been a cornerstone of the partnership for years.
The IOI was represented by Managing Director Antonella Vassallo, Honorary President Dr Awni Behnam, Prof Simone Borg (Representative of the Government of Malta to the IOI Governing Board) and Cosmin Chivu (Project Officer, IOI HQ).
Courtesy Visit from the Sasakawa Peace Foundation
On September 25th, representatives from the Sasakawa Peace Foundation (SPF) visited IOI HQ to explore opportunities for future cooperation. The delegation was headed by Ret’d Vice Admiral Eisuke Kudo, Advisor, SPF; Reiko Naito, Senior Specialist, Ocean Policy Research Institute, and Emi Shimada, Manager, Ocean Vision and Action Division, Ocean Policy Research Institute (and IOI Canada Programme Alumnus).
The meeting focused on potential collaborative efforts between the IOI and SPF, particularly in shared training opportunities for ocean governance. Both institutions recognized the value of pooling resources to strengthen regional and global capacities in ocean management, with a keen interest in fostering a lasting partnership for the creation and support of effective ocean leadership at all levels.
Further building on these discussions, on October 16th, the IOI Secretariat welcomed Dr Fabrizio Bozzato, Director of the Ocean Policy Research Institute of the Sasakawa Peace Foundation. On behalf of the IOI, the following representatives were present for both meetings: Ms Antonella Vassallo, Dr Awni Behnam and Mr Cosmin Chivu.
Visit from Dr Chris Cutajar, Permanent Secretary, Ministry for Foreign and European Affairs and Trade of the Government of Malta
On October 1st, the IOI welcomed the Permanent Secretary, Dr Cutajar, and Ms Christianne Caruana (Director, Global Issues) of Malta’s Ministry for Foreign and European Affairs and Trade. The visit reinforced the long standing ties between the parties and the long history of cooperation rooted in the original ground breaking work of Malta’s first ambassador to the UN GA, Dr Arvid Pardo. Along with IOI Founder Elisabeth Mann Borgese, Ambassador Pardo was instrumental in the development of the principle of the Common Heritage of Humankind as a foundational tenet of the New Law of the Sea.
The meeting reaffirmed a shared commitment to future collaborations, with discussions highlighting shared interests in enhancing international ocean governance through training programmes and strategic initiatives.
The IOI was again represented by A Vassallo, A Behnam, S Borg and C Chivu.
These meetings reflect IOI’s commitment to international collaboration in ocean governance. By renewing partnerships and exploring new avenues for cooperation, the IOI seeks to promote sustainable ocean management and capacity-building across the globe. These visits also underscore the effectiveness of dialogue and exchange at many levels and the importance of IOI Alumni and young ocean leaders, in the creation of ideas and partnerships that address some of the most pressing challenges facing our ocean.