USM PENANG, 19 March 2025 – Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM) academic, Professor Dato’ Dr. Aileen Tan Shau Hwai has been elected as the new chairman of the UNESCO Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission (IOC) Sub-Commission for the Western Pacific (Westpac).

The recent appointment will see Tan, currently the Director of the USM Centre for Marine and Coastal Studies (CEMACS) representing Malaysia at the international stage, serving as chairman for the 2025 to 2027 term, beginning Thursday (13 March).

She will be assisted by the Vice-Chairs elected from the Philippines, Russia and Korea.

She has previously served as the First Vice-Chairperson (2023 to 2025) and Vice-Chairman (2021 to 2023).

She has the honour of being the first female chair, and her role will include presiding over their sessions and fulfilling various duties.

Among the roles of the Sub-Commission are to develop, coordinate, and implement various aspects of marine scientific research, observations, and services.

It is recognised as a key catalyst, advocate, coordinator, and facilitator in the region to promote ocean knowledge on diversity and safety, ocean ecosystem health and to conduct sustained observations.

The Sub-Commission, with its members from 22 countries, brings together governmental agencies and marine scientific communities, with the aim of improving ocean governance for a healthy ocean and coasts for prosperity, specifically in the Indo-Pacific region.

Text: Mazlan Hanafi Basharudin