The ethical and moral underpinnings of the IOI in managing relations with the ocean in a sustainable manner are: the respect for common goods; the peaceful and sustainable use of ocean services and resources; the common heritage of the high seas; and the need to support and empower people and countries, particularly developing countries.

Vision

To continue into the future to play a vital role in Ocean Governance by maintaining the legacy of the founder Elisabeth Mann Borgese for humankind to live with the Ocean and from the Ocean in sustainable relationship, protecting both and respecting the Ocean’s majesty.

Mission

1. To ensure the sustainability of the Ocean as “a source of life”, and to uphold and expand the principle of the common heritage as enshrined in the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea signed at Montego Bay on December 10th 1982.
2. To promote the concept of Pacem in Maribus – peace in the Ocean and its management and conservation – for the benefit of future generations.
3. To promote the concept of ocean governance, including integrated ocean policy, for planning and management of the oceans at national, regional and global levels.
4. To conduct training and education for capacity building to meet the crucial demand for knowledgeable future leaders in ocean governance. To access and produce publications of the most current scientific, legal and policy developments and participate in the development of national and international ocean governance agendas.
5. To promote the respect for common goods, the peaceful and sustainable use of ocean services and resources, the common heritage of the high seas and the need to support and empower people and countries, particularly developing countries, in managing their relations with the ocean in a sustainable manner remains the ethical and moral foundation of the IOI.

Goals

1. The International Ocean Institute contributes to the evolving process of Ocean Governance through its functions and activities.
2. Guided by the United Nations Charter, the General Principles of the International Law and of the Law of the Sea, the Institute monitors implementation of international conventions and agreements as they relate to the Oceans, participates in and contributes to the evolving policy dialogue on the Ocean in the fora of the United Nations System and other international organisations.
3. The Institute promotes the elaboration of appropriate maritime laws and regulations and implements national and regional plans and international agreements on the management and sustainable use of the Ocean, coasts and islands.
4. The Institute raises awareness of the peaceful uses of the Ocean, its protection and conservation, as well as the sustainable development of its resources, in accordance with the principle of the common heritage of mankind.
5. The Institute engages in the dissemination of information, sharing and transfer of knowledge and experience.
6. The Institute contributes to the sustainable uses of the Ocean as well as to the sustainable development of developing countries and countries in transition, through capacity building, training and education, enabling them to manage ocean and coastal resources sustainably.

(Extracts from the IOI Statutes and Rules of Procedure, 2015) available for download below