PENANG, 2 February 2026 – Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM), through the Centre for Marine and Coastal Studies (CEMACS), recently hosted the UNESCO/IOC–WESTPAC Advisory Group and Strategic Consultative Meeting 2026.

As the host, USM’s role is reinforced as a key regional hub for ocean science, capacity development, and international cooperation.

The meeting was attended by the Chief Executive Officer of Yayasan Penyelidikan Antartika Sultan Mizan (YPASM), Abdul Shukor Jamaluddin, who had the honour of delivering the opening address on behalf of the Secretary General of the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environmental Sustainability (NRES), and in the presence of the Chairperson for the Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission (IOC), Professor Dr. Yutaka Michida, and the Director of CEMACS, Associate Professor Dr. Mahadi Mohammad.

The three-day meeting (28–30 January 2026) brought together nearly 40 key representatives from nine members states (China, Japan, the Republic of Korea, Indonesia, Malaysia, Thailand, the Philippines, Vietnam, and the Russian Federation) to review progress within UNESCO’s Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission (IOC) and to chart strategic directions for the IOC Sub-Commission for the Western Pacific (WESTPAC).

This meeting was chaired by Dato’ Dr. Aileen Tan Shau Hwai, the chair IOC-WESTPAC, who is also the Honorary Professor of CEMACS.

A major component of the meeting addressed the implementation of the UN Decade of Ocean Science for Sustainable Development (2021–2030).

Participants reviewed progress on WESTPAC-led UN Ocean Decade Actions, including marine spatial planning, reduction of plastic pollution, the Regional Network of Training and Research Centres (RTRCs), ocean current, blue carbon and seagrass initiatives, ecosystem prediction, and regional ocean solutions.

The meeting also considered issues relating to the Biodiversity Beyond National Jurisdiction (BBNJ) Agreement and its implications on regional cooperation.

As the host institution, CEMACS highlighted USM’s longstanding commitment to ocean research excellence, regional training, and policy-relevant science.

The meeting also underscored Malaysia’s growing contribution to international ocean governance and its active engagement within UNESCO/IOC initiatives.

The delegates then had the opportunity to visit CEMACS’s research facilities, the Tun Daim Zainuddin Marine Reference Collection, and the gallery for biodiversity and climate change on the last day of the meeting.

USM extends its appreciation to UNESCO/IOC, the IOC-WESTPAC Secretariat, and participating member states for their trust and collaboration for choosing CEMACS and Penang as the host for the important meeting.

By hosting this high-level regional forum, USM reaffirms its commitment towards advancing sustainable ocean solutions and strengthening regional partnerships for the benefit of present and future generations.

Text: Centre for Marine and Coastal Studies (CEMACS), USM