IOC Member States
IOC Member States & Governing Bodies
The Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission of UNESCO is composed of 150 Member States from all over the world.
Member States oversee the work of the IOC through two Governing Bodies, the Assembly and the Executive Council.
The IOC Assembly meets once per biennium, while an Executive Council meets every year.
The purpose of the Assembly is to review the work of the Commission, including the work of the Member States and the Secretariat, and formulate a common work plan for the coming two years.
The Executive Council reviews issues and items from on-going work plans, and makes preparations for the Assemblies.
The Executive Council consists of up to 40 Member States, including the six Member States represented by the Chairperson and the five Vice-Chairpersons. The Executive Council meets every year to review issues and items from on-going work plans, and make preparations for the IOC Assembly.
Representation in the IOC Executive Council Electoral Group I can consist of up to 10 seats; Group II of up to 3 seats; Group III of up to 9 seats; Group IV of up to 9 seats; and Group V of up to 9 seats.
Both the IOC Assembly and the Executive Council are prepared, supported and run by the six IOC Officers, under the leadership of the IOC Chair, in close alignment with the IOC Secretariat, under the leadership of the Executive Secretary.
