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Context:

India Elected to Vice Presidency of the International Organization of Aids to Marine Navigation (IALA).

News in Detail

India is elected as the Vice President of the International Organization of Aids to Marine Navigation (IALA) during its inaugural General Assembly in Singapore.

India will host:

• The IALA Council meeting in December 2025.
• The IALA Conference & General Assembly in September 2027 in Mumbai.

About International Organization of Aids to Marine Navigation (IALA)

IALA was established in 1957 as an NGO, however, it became an inter-governmental organization (IGO) in August 2024, after ratification by member states. This upgrade enhances its mandate to harmonize global navigation systems, promote safety, and address environmental challenges.

It unites 80 countries to standardize aids to navigation (AtoN), including lighthouses, buoys, and digital systems. Its goal is to ensure vessels navigate safely, efficiently, and sustainably while protecting marine ecosystems .

Governance:

• General Assembly: Meets every four years to set strategic priorities. The inaugural IGO General Assembly was held in Singapore in February 2025 .
• Council: A 24-member body meets biannually to oversee programs.

IALA’s Major Achievements

Maritime Buoyage System (1973–Present):

• Replaced 30 fragmented buoyage systems with two standardized regions:
  • • IALA Region A: Most of the world (e.g., Europe, Africa, India).
    • IALA Region B: Americas, Japan, South Korea, Philippines .
• Purpose: Simplify navigation by using consistent markers (e.g., lateral marks for channel edges, cardinal marks for hazards).

Innovations:

• AIS (Automatic Identification System): Mandated globally for ship tracking .
• e-Navigation: Integrates digital tools to harmonize data exchange and improve safety .

Emergency Wreck Marking Buoy (2006):

• Temporary markers deployed to flag new shipwrecks, preventing accidents .

Source: 

PIB