IOI is an independent, non-governmental, international non-profit organisation incorporated in the Netherlands, with Headquarters at the University of Malta. It was founded in 1972 by Professor Elisabeth Mann Borgese. The mission of the International Ocean Institute is:
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Elisabeth Mann Borgese 1918-2002 (click here for biography) |
The IOI's scope and presence is global. The IOI system operates by means of 17 Operational Centres spread worldwide. One of these Centres is in Malta , the IOI - Malta Operational centre (IOI-MOC) and forms part of the University of Malta. The IOI co-operates with the United Nations system, e.g. UNESCO-IOC, IMO, UNEP and with several other NGOs at local and regional level.
Pacem in Maribus
Pacem in Maribus (PIM) conventions started being organised annually by IOI since 1970. Malta hosted the first five conferences which then started being held in other countries. The importance of the oceans is recognised on a national, regional, international, trans-national, and global level where oceans are considered as being the common heritage of mankind, a concept developed by Arvid Pardo.
The conferences organised so far focused on international ocean affairs. Topics ranged from arms control and monitoring and surveillance in the oceans, to management and conservation of marine resources, to the feasibility of common shipping lines or on Ocean Development Tax. The results of the research projects, regional seminars and other studies carried out by IOI, are also discussed during Pacem in Maribus. The PIM conferences have mainly contributed to the development and formation of the UN convension on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS)
Besides the bi-annual PIM conferences, the IOI institute organises several regional meetings in co-operation with the Governments of the hosting countries, during which experts discuss and analyse the impacts of marine-related activities and other activities that have negative effects on the sea.
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Arvid Pardo and Elisabeth Mann Borgese |
Meeting of the Planning Council Members, Fiji 1999 |
The President of Malta Dr. Guido De Marco at the PIM conference held in Fiji in 1999 |