In line with IOC Resolution EC-57/2, IFAG will have regular online meetings so as to ensure that Member States are appraised of and involved with all relevant development during the intersessional period, including the Draft Programme and Budget for 2026–2029 (43 C/5) preparations and the 'Consultation Process – IOC and the Future of the Ocean'.  

The group will work after the nomination of members by IOC Member States in response to IOC Circular Letter 3003 under the lead of Vice-Chair Juan Camilo FORERO HAUZEUR (Colombia). The group is composed of members from the following Member States: Australia, Belgium, Benin, Canada, China, France, Germany, India, Iraq, Japan, Kuwait, Maldives, Mauritius, Mexico, Norway, Portugal, Republic of Korea, Russian Federation, South Africa, Spain, Togo, Tunisia, Türkiye, United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland and USA. (See complete list of members).

On 11 June 2024, IFAG held an informal online meeting. See the introduction by the IFAG Chair and the presentation by the IOC Executive Secretary. See the list of participating countries. Access the meeting recording here. Following the online exchange with the group, a document was prepared with Additional information on the revised Programme & Budget 2024-2025 (42 C/5).

On 24 June 2024, IFAG members met before the 57th Session of the IOC Executive Council taking place from 25 to 28 June at UNESCO HQ. Access the presentation delivered by the IOC Executive Secretary on this occasion. 

The work of the IOC Intersessional Financial Advisory Group is carried forward by the sessional Financial Committee established when the Executive Council meets in plenary session in June 2024.

A third informal online meeting of the group was scheduled on 16 April 2025 from 13:00 to 15:00 CET. Access the recording here (116 mn)

The agenda and documentation for the meeting are as follows: 

• Preparations of the Draft Programme & Budget 2026–2029 (43 C/5, first biennium 2026–2027) and main outcomes of the 221st UNESCO Executive Board [Presented by the IOC Executive Secretary | document  A-33_5.1 Draft 43_C5]
• Member States’ consultation process ‘IOC and the Future of the Ocean’ phase 1: ‘overall review of activities relevant to the role of IOC in assisting Member States and other stakeholders, including identifying gaps and needs in IOC programmes, in order to optimally facilitate current and emerging activities in science-based sustainable ocean planning, ocean science support to implementation of relevant UN conventions and frameworks, and development of a sustainable ocean economy’. [Presented by the Executive Secretary | co-chair working group on sustainable ocean planning and management, Ms Marinez Scherer: documents SOPM Strategy; SOPM Implementation Plan; SOPM accompanying note]
• External assessment of IOC's governance and management processes. [Mr Christophe Jeanteur (Farman and Partners): document IOC/A-33_5.2.Doc.1;  Group 1 paper on IOC management and accountability]

Presentations: 

• IOC Executive Secretary's presentation to IFAG at its online meeting of 16 April 2025
• Electoral Group 1 presentation on IOC management and accountability to IFAG at its online meeting of 16 April 2025

A second informal online meeting of the group was scheduled on 19 February 2025.  Access the meeting recording here (76 mn). 

The agenda for the meeting is as follows: 

• Preparations of the Draft Programme & Budget 2026–2029 (43 C/5, first biennium 2026–2027)
• Member States’ consultation process ‘IOC and the Future of the Ocean’ phase 1: ‘overall review of activities relevant to the role of IOC in assisting Member States and other stakeholders, including identifying gaps and needs in IOC programmes, in order to optimally facilitate current and emerging activities in science-based sustainable ocean planning, ocean science support to implementation of relevant UN conventions and frameworks, and development of a sustainable ocean economy’.

 Presentations:

• IOC Executive Secretary's presentation to IFAG at its online meeting of 19 February 2025

 An informal online meeting of the group was scheduled on 5 November 2024 from 13:00 to 16:00 CET.  Access the meeting recording here (passcode: z3d+eS6^)

The agenda for the meeting is as follows: 

• Preparations of the Draft Programme & Budget 2026–2029 (43 C/5, first biennium 2026–2027)
• Preliminary process update on follow-up to the Executive Council’s decision on an ‘external assessment of IOC’s governance and management processes’
• Member States’ consultation process ‘IOC and the Future of the Ocean’ phase 1: ‘overall review of activities relevant to the role of IOC in assisting Member States and other stakeholders, including identifying gaps and needs in IOC programmes, in order to optimally facilitate current and emerging activities in science-based sustainable ocean planning, ocean science support to implementation of relevant UN conventions and frameworks, and development of a sustainable ocean economy’.
• Any other business (from both Member States & Secretariat)

Reference documents for the online meeting of 5 November:

• UNESCO Executive Board document (Sept. 2024): Execution of the Programme adopted by the General Conference - Strategic Results Report (SRR) 2024
• UNESCO Executive Board document (Sept. 2024): Preliminary proposals by the Director-General concerning the Draft Programme & Budget for 2026-2029 (43 C/5)
• IOC/EC-57 document: Revised Programme & Budget 2024-2025 (42 C/5) and preliminary proposals for 2026-2029 (Draft 43 C/5)
• IOC/EC-57 document: Report of the Chairperson of the Intersessional Financial Advisory Group (January-June 2024)
• IOC/EC-57 Decisions: Adopted Decisions and Resolutions of the IOC Executive Council at its 57th session (June 2024)

Presentations:

• IOC Executive Secretary's presentation to IFAG at its online meeting of 5 November 2024
• IOC and the 2025 United Nations Ocean Conference (9-13 June 2025)