The purpose of the UNESCO-IOC Commission it to promote international cooperation and to coordinate programmes in research, services and capacity building, in order to learn more about the nature and resources of the ocean and coastal areas and to apply that knowledge for the improvement of management, sustainable development, the protection of the marine environment, and the decision-making process of its 150 Member States. (Statutes, Art.2). IOC is established as a body with functionnal autonomy within UNESCO. 

The Assembly is the principal organ of the Commission. Convened every two years, it establishes general policy and the main lines of work of the Commission, and provides the IOC biennial draft Programme and Budget. 

During the course of each session, the Assembly elect a Chairperson and five Vice-chairpersons representing five geographic and electoral groups. They constitute the Officers of the Commission. For more information, visit the IOC ELECTIONS 2025 webpage. 

Before the Assembly session, the IOC Executive Council will meet for its 58^th session on 24 June 2025 and will act as the steering committee for the Assembly.

The provisional agenda and timetable for the session were discussed with the IOC Officers at their January 2025 meeting.  The Action Paper provides the information necessary for effective participation in the discussion for each item on the agenda.