SAMARKAND, Nov 9:  Dr. Turki Al-Saeed, Director of the Coastal and Marine Resources Program at the Kuwait Institute for Scientific Research (KISR), affirmed Kuwait’s support for the newly established Sub-Commission for the Central Indian Ocean (IOCINDIO), describing it as an essential regional mechanism to enhance coordination and facilitate the exchange of marine data.

Speaking during UNESCO’s Committee on Natural Sciences and the Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission (IOC) meetings—currently underway in Samarkand, Uzbekistan, as part of the 43rd UNESCO General Conference—Dr. Al-Saeed emphasized that IOCINDIO plays a crucial role in strengthening capacity-building, training programs, and ocean literacy, in alignment with Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 14: Life Below Water.

Leading the KISR delegation, Dr. Al-Saeed highlighted the institute’s advanced research capabilities, including the 55-meter research vessel “Al-Mustakshif” (The Explorer)—a state-of-the-art multidisciplinary platform equipped for integrated physical, chemical, and biological studies—alongside other sophisticated infrastructures that support KISR’s oceanographic programs.

He called on the IOC and member states to reinforce regional scientific cooperation through joint research cruises in the Arabian Gulf and marginal areas of the Indian Ocean, utilizing Al-Mustakshif. Dr. Al-Saeed further urged greater efforts to expand data sharing, training opportunities, and the visibility of national contributions within IOC-endorsed research programs.

Expressing Kuwait’s appreciation to session chair Linda Brito and IOC Executive Secretary Vidar Helgesen for their leadership, he praised the active engagement of youth in natural sciences, stressing the importance of nurturing their participation to advance environmental awareness and sustainability.

The ongoing UNESCO General Conference, which continues until November 13, holds special significance as the first to be convened outside Paris in 40 years.

Oceanography, Dr. Al-Saeed noted, encompasses the comprehensive scientific study of the seas and oceans, covering their physical, chemical, and biological properties.