Dr Yutaka Michida, Associate Executive Director of JAMSTEC, Re-elected as Chairperson of the Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission (IOC) of UNESCO

At the 33rd Assembly of the Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission (IOC) of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO), held in Paris, France, from 25 June to 3 July 2025, Dr Yutaka Michida, Associate Executive Director of the Japan Agency for Marine-Earth Science and Technology (JAMSTEC) and Special Presidential Envoy for UN Ocean Decade of The University of Tokyo, was re-elected as Chairperson of the Commission. Dr Michida was first elected to the role at the 32nd Assembly in June 2023, becoming the first Japanese national to serve as Chairperson. His re-election marks the beginning of his second term.

The IOC is the only UN body specialising exclusively in ocean science. It plays a leading role in promoting marine scientific research, coordinating global ocean observing and services, facilitating the international exchange of oceanographic data and information, and supporting tsunami early warning systems among its Member States as well as strengthening capacity development and the transfer of marine technology to developing countries. Established in 1960 with functional autonomy within UNESCO, the IOC is headquartered at UNESCO in Paris. As of 9 July 2025, the Commission comprises 152 Member States.

Dr Michida’s second term as Chairperson will continue until the conclusion of the 34th Session of the IOC Assembly, scheduled to take place in late June 2027.