Saudi Arabia secures third place globally at the Marine Survey Organization meeting
The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, represented by the General Authority for Survey and Geospatial Information, concluded its distinguished participation in the fourth General Assembly meeting of the International Hydrographic Organization (IHO) and its accompanying exhibition, held in Monaco. This effective participation culminated in the Kingdom achieving third place globally in the evaluation of participating countries' pavilions, an accomplishment that reflects the significant development witnessed in the hydrographic survey and geospatial information sector in Saudi Arabia.
Historical background and importance of the International Hydrographic Organization
The International Hydrographic Organization (IHO), founded in 1921 and headquartered in Monaco, is an intergovernmental advisory and technical body that plays a pivotal role in ensuring the safety of maritime navigation and protecting the marine environment worldwide. The organization coordinates the activities of the national hydrographic offices of its member states and harmonizes standards for nautical charts and navigational publications to ensure their accuracy and reliability. Its meetings are of paramount importance as a platform for exchanging expertise, discussing the latest technologies, and setting future standards that serve global trade, over 90% of which depends on maritime transport.
Details of Saudi participation and achievements
During its participation, the General Authority for Survey and Geospatial Information showcased its most prominent products and outputs of national marine surveying work at its pavilion. Among the exhibits were the modern electronic nautical charts (ENCs) produced by the Kingdom according to the highest international standards. These charts not only contribute to supporting navigational safety in Saudi territorial waters but also form a fundamental pillar of the national geospatial information infrastructure, in line with the goals of Saudi Vision 2030 to transform the Kingdom into a global logistics hub.
The Kingdom's leading regional role
As chair of the Regional Hydrographic Committee for the Gulf (ROPME), the Kingdom presented a comprehensive overview of the committee's key achievements during the past period. This leadership role reflects the international community's confidence in Saudi Arabia's ability to coordinate regional efforts to ensure the security and safety of the region's vital waterways, which are among the world's most important shipping routes, particularly in the energy sector. Strengthening regional cooperation in this area directly contributes to the stability of global supply chains and the protection of the region's sensitive marine environment.
Local and international impact of the achievement
The Kingdom's pavilion winning third place globally underscores the quality of its content, the efficiency of Saudi geospatial outputs, and its ability to compete globally. This recognition is not merely a certificate of appreciation, but rather an international acknowledgment of the significant strides the Kingdom has made in advanced marine surveying technologies, reinforcing its position as an active and influential player in specialized international organizations. Domestically, this achievement supports major national projects such as NEOM and the Red Sea Project, which rely heavily on accurate marine data to develop their coastal and maritime infrastructure.
