The 10th meeting of the Council of the International Hydrographic Organization (IHO) was held in Monaco from 13 to 15 October 2026. The Republic of Croatia was represented by Vinka Kolić Bubić, Director of the Croatian Hydrographic Institute (HHI).
The meeting brought together representatives of 37 countries, along with representatives of partner organizations and observers.
The IHO Council is the Organization's executive body, responsible for coordinating activities between sessions of the Assembly, monitoring the implementation of strategic objectives, and reviewing the work programme and financial priorities.
One of the key topics of this year's meeting was the continued implementation of the S-100 Universal Hydrographic Data Model, which provides the foundation for the development of a new generation of digital navigational products and services.
Particular attention was given to progress in the development and implementation of new standards, the interoperability of hydrographic data, and the results of international trials of S-100-based products under real-world navigational conditions.
The Council also discussed the establishment of the IHO Infrastructure Centre in Busan, Republic of Korea, which is scheduled to be officially inaugurated in November 2026. As the IHO's first permanent office outside Monaco, the Centre will provide technical and operational support for the development and implementation of S-100 standards and the associated digital infrastructure.
A significant event held alongside the Council meeting was the official inauguration of the permanent GEBCO Secretariat (General Bathymetric Chart of the Oceans) on 13 October 2026 at the IHO Headquarters in Monaco, in the presence of HSH Prince Albert II of Monaco and representatives of the IHO Council.
The establishment of the permanent Secretariat will strengthen international coordination of ocean floor mapping activities and support the continued development of the GEBCO programme, a joint initiative of the IHO and the Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission of UNESCO (IOC-UNESCO).
The event also carried particular historical significance, as the development of the first GEBCO charts began in 1903 at the initiative of Prince Albert I of Monaco.
The Council also reviewed the implementation of the IHO Strategic Plan for 2027–2032, focusing on the digital transformation of hydrography, improved knowledge of the ocean floor, strengthened international cooperation, and capacity building among Member States.
A total of 87 decisions and actions were agreed upon during the meeting, with 11 circular letters to be issued to Member States for further consideration of specific matters.
The outcomes of the meeting reaffirm the IHO's continued commitment to modernizing hydrography, developing interoperable digital products, and strengthening international cooperation, with the ultimate objective of enhancing safety of navigation and ensuring access to reliable hydrographic data.
Further information on the 10th meeting of the IHO Council and the inauguration of the GEBCO Secretariat is available on the official IHO website: