On 13th October 2026, a new Secretariat for a global programme to coordinate efforts to map the ocean floor was officially inaugurated by H.S.H. Prince Albert II of Monaco and IHO Council participants. The Secretariat, co-located in the International Hydrographic Organization offices in Monaco, provides the programme with a dedicated team to support an expanding range of activities and long-term strategic objectives.
“For the first time in history, we have the technology necessary to achieve the goal of a fully known ocean. The creation of the GEBCO Secretariat will give us the means and the people to achieve this ambition.”
IHO Secretary General Rear-Admiral Luigi Sinapi
Secretariat Objectives
One of the main objectives of the GEBCO Secretariat will be to develop global mapping initiatives and support the implementation of the GEBCO vision to “bring knowledge about our planet’s seabed to everyone”. It will also play a role in evolving the global policy environment to facilitate seabed mapping and the sharing of ocean data, as well as developing funding partnerships to support the financing of mapping initiatives.
“The ocean is a symbol of eternity, yet it remains a constant source of novelty. New findings continue to emerge, while the ocean itself is always changing and regenerating. The new GEBCO Secretariat represents a new phase in ocean exploration, one marked by greater ambition, stronger institutional collaboration, and deeper connection with the global ocean community. This will enable us to better understand and monitor these ongoing changes.”
Vidar Helgesen, Executive Secretary of the Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission (IOC) of UNESCO
The role of Head of the GEBCO Secretariat will be assumed by Mr Sam Harper, Assistant Director at the IHO. The Secretariat will be funded by the Government of Monaco for an initial period of three years.
Find out more about the permanent Secretariat for the General Bathymetric Chart of the Oceans (GEBCO) here: https://iho.int/en/new-secretariat-to-coordinate-ocean-mapping-is-inaugurated