INCOIS Director T. M. Balakrishnan Nair Takes Charge as Chair of UNESCO Indian Ocean Panel

New Role

Indian National Centre for Ocean Information Services Director T. M. Balakrishnan Nair is now the Chair of the UNESCO Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission Sub-Commission for the Indian Ocean. He won this election at the second Intergovernmental Session of IOCINDIO in Bali, Indonesia, which ran from Monday to Wednesday, October 12 to 14, 2026.

Leadership Team

As the new Chair, Dr. Nair will guide work to build better teamwork among member nations and push forward shared goals in ocean research, operational oceanography, ocean information services, and the careful management of sea resources. Alongside him, Turki Al-Said from Kuwait and Badal Mohammed Rezah from Mauritius took office as the Vice-Chairs of IOCINDIO.

Challenges Ahead

The Indian Ocean is vital for the nations around it because it supports fishing, sea transport, coastal populations, marine life, and economic growth. At the same time, the region deals with many problems linked to coastal hazards, climate shifts, changing sea conditions, and resource use. These issues demand ongoing global cooperation, dependable ocean tracking, scientific study, better forecasting tools, and clear sharing of ocean data with governments, science groups, and coastal towns.

Context

IOCINDIO serves as a government platform to help countries work together on ocean science, supporting UNESCO's wider goals to improve knowledge of sea processes for public benefit. This leadership role places India at the forefront of regional marine research and disaster preparedness efforts in the Indian Ocean.