IH Chairs the 17th Plenary Meeting of the Eastern Atlantic Hydrographic Commission.

The 17th plenary meeting of the Eastern Atlantic Hydrographic Commission of the International Hydrographic Organization (IHO) took place in Mindelo, Cape Verde, at the premises of the Maritime and Port Institute (IMP), from 28 to 30 September.

The Commission is made up of the Member States of the International Hydrographic Organization (IHO) bordering the Eastern Atlantic, Cameroon, the Democratic Republic of Congo, France, Ghana, Morocco, Nigeria, Portugal and Spain, with the other riparian states in the region as well as associates. States of external interest with/responsibility in the region. In the case of Portugal, its representation on the commission is carried out by the Hydrographic Institute (IH).

Currently, the activities of the Commission are of particular interest as some of them are associated with the United Oceans Decade.

As the Commission's main activities are, to monitor and improve the state of nautical information; coverage of hydrographic surveys and nautical cartography; develop and implement international nautical charts and electronic mapping coverage schemes; raise awareness of the importance of hydrography in the region; promote the empowerment of states; and share information and knowledge.

The meeting was chaired by the Director General of the IH, since two years ago he was appointed President of the Commission, and next year, for reasons of statutory rotation, the President is assumed by France.

Organized by the OHI, the was preceded by a seminar and meeting, on the 26th and 27th of September and dedicated to the theme: "Working with NAVAREA II with the Primary Cartographic Authorities".

 It is the most important authority in the region, Portugal is the Cartographic Authority in Cape Verde, Guinea-Bissau, São Tomé and Príncipe and Angola.