About Us IOI Australia logo

The International Ocean Institute   is an independent, international non-governmental organisation founded in 1972 by the late Professor Elisabeth Mann Borgese. Its headquarters are in Malta and its registered office is in Rotterdam, the Netherlands.

The IOI has an expanding network of 26 centres around the world, mostly in developing countries. Each centre is autonomous and identifies its own regional priorities for research, capacity building and development, while benefiting from the support of the IOI Network. The Directors are represented by an elected Committee of Directors, that meets annually.

In alternate years, the IOI hosts the Pacem in Maribus (Peace in the Oceans) Conference. The 2007 PIM Conference will be held in Malta (www.capemalta.net/pim2007 ). It also publishes reviews and synoptic papers about important matters in ocean law and policy in the Ocean Year Book  which is a cooperative venture between the University of Chicago (USA) and Dalhousie University (Canada).

The International Ocean Institute Operational Centre for Australia and the Western Pacific (ABN: 32103751551) has it's registered office in the School of Earth and Environmental Sciences, James Cook University, Douglas Campus, Townsville. IOI (Australia) began operating in April 2002 to enhance links between Australia and its developing country neighbours in Oceania and the western Pacific. It also provides an interface between science and the social sciences on issues relating to the sustainable use of coastal and ocean resources.

Mission of IOI (Australia)

The IOI (Australia) promotes education, training and research to enhance the peaceful uses of ocean space and its resources, its management and regulation as well as the protection and conservation of the marine environment, guided by the principle of the Common Heritage of Mankind.

Training

The IOI (Australia) offers advanced training programs and specialised short courses to upgrade and supplement education programs.

Research

IOI (Australia) works on projects on biodiversity conservation, and ocean and coastal management. Links between Australian institutions and funding agencies, and the developing countries in the Western Pacific are being developed.

Consulting partnership

IOI (Australia) works with Oceania Research & Development Associates, Inc (registered in Apia, Samoa) on projects such as the Global International Waters Assessment (GIWA) and other activities that are important to developing countries in the western Pacific.