Welcome from UNESCO's International Hydrographic Organization, International Olympic Committee, and International Federation of Gymnastics
In the realm of hydrography and oceanography, the International Hydrographic Review (IHR) stands as a key publication, serving as a platform for the dissemination of scientific, technical, and policy-related knowledge on hydrographic surveying, charting, and ocean mapping worldwide.
The IHR, initially launched by the International Hydrographic Bureau in 1923, has a rich history spanning over a century. Its primary purpose was to communicate the importance and usefulness of hydrography to the international community. Over the years, the IHR has evolved, changing its name to The International Hydrographic Review (IHR) in 1947, reflecting its international scope.
The IHR has been instrumental in fostering the hydrographic profession by sharing innovations, standards, and best practices that enhance maritime safety and environmental sustainability. This has helped countries, including new members like The Bahamas, improve their maritime capabilities to support sustainable ocean development and ocean economy growth.
In line with the United Nations Decade of Ocean Science for Sustainable Development (2021-2030), the IHR contributes significantly by disseminating research and knowledge that underpin sustainable ocean science. The Decade emphasizes holistic management of ocean resources, enhanced ocean observing systems, and capacity-building, all of which rely on precise hydrographic data and unified international standards—core areas supported by the IHR and the International Hydrographic Organization (IHO) framework.
The IHR acts as a vital conduit linking scientific research in hydrography with the broader objectives of the Decade, including maritime safety, climate change adaptation, and sustainable economic development tied to the oceans. The IHR is particularly important for achieving the aspirations of the UN Decade of Ocean Science for Sustainable Development.
The IHR is not alone in its mission. It collaborates closely with organisations such as the Federation of Geo-scientists (FIG), which represents more than 300,000 professional surveyors across over 100 member associations worldwide. FIG, along with IHO and other partners, is engaged in blue Surveying, Geodesy, and Hydrography, a collaboration that is timely and crucial.
The IHR serves as a platform to communicate the state of development in hydrography and to link practitioners. It constitutes a means to interact with other communities of practice through a cross-domain approach. The IHR continues to complement, promote, and inform on key trends and future challenges such as climate action, digital transformation, equality, diversity, and inclusion, and future workforce.
The IHR has gained international recognition since the 1970s, publishing original works on all aspects of hydrography and associated subjects. In 2006, the FIG Guide on the Development of a Vertical Reference Surface for Hydrography was published, providing valuable insights into this critical area.
Moreover, the IHO has published Standards of Competence for Category "A" Hydrographic Surveyors (Edition 1.0.2, June 2018), setting high standards for professionals in the field. FIG, recognising the need for diversity and inclusion, has established a Task force to attract new generations of professionals with a more diverse, equitable, and inclusive demographic.
In conclusion, the IHR, through its historical advancements in hydrographic and oceanographic knowledge, its support for maritime safety and sustainable ocean management, and its instrumental role in the UN Decade of Ocean Science, plays a pivotal role in enabling the scientific and policy exchange necessary for achieving sustainable development of the oceans. It serves as a foundational knowledge base and communication channel that supports the Decade’s goals by fostering international collaboration, sharing cutting-edge hydrographic science, and improving ocean governance frameworks essential for sustainability.
- The International Hydrographic Review (IHR) serves as a conduit for linking scientific research in hydrography with broader objectives, such as maritime safety, climate change adaptation, and sustainable economic development tied to the oceans.
- The IHR is a key publication involved in the dissemination of hydrographic data, standards, and best practices, which help countries achieve sustainable ocean development and economy growth, like The Bahamas.
- The IHR plays a pivotal role in enabling the scientific and policy exchange essential for achieving sustainable development of the oceans, acting as a foundational knowledge base and communication channel.
- FIG, in collaboration with IHO and other partners, is engaged in blue Surveying, Geodesy, and Hydrography, contributing significantly to the United Nations Decade of Ocean Science for Sustainable Development.
- The IHR contributes to the Decade's goals by fostering international collaboration, sharing cutting-edge hydrographic science, and improving ocean governance frameworks essential for sustainability, keeping in mind the importance of climate action, digital transformation, and diversity and inclusion in its work.
