INCOIS Director T M Balakrishnan Nair elected Chair of UNESCO Indian Ocean panel

India appointed to lead UNESCO ocean panel

Dr T. M. Balakrishnan Nair, Director of the Indian National Centre for Ocean Information Services (INCOIS), has been elected Chair of the UNESCO Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission Sub-Commission for the Indian Ocean (IOCINDIO).

The election took place during the second Intergovernmental Session of IOCINDIO, held in Bali, Indonesia, from 12 to 14 October 2026. The appointment highlights India's growing institutional stature and scientific leadership in multilateral maritime governance.

Leadership team and regional priorities

Dr Nair will lead regional efforts to deepen scientific collaboration, enhance operational oceanography, expand early warning systems for coastal hazards, and support sustainable marine resource management across member nations.

Joining the leadership bureau are two newly elected Vice-Chairs representing key Indian Ocean littoral states.

Strengthening maritime capability

The Indian Ocean is a vital maritime corridor supporting fisheries, international trade routes, and dense coastal populations. Member states face expanding challenges from ocean climate variability, changing marine conditions, and coastal hazards.

Under India's leadership, IOCINDIO aims to establish reliable ocean observation networks, improve forecasting capabilities, and streamline the dissemination of real-time ocean information to governments, research institutions, and coastal communities.

INCOIS, an autonomous institution under India's Ministry of Earth Sciences, has earned international acclaim for its tsunami early warning systems and ocean state forecasting services. Dr Nair's election reflects global confidence in India's scientific capability to safeguard marine ecosystems and enhance regional disaster management.