24 February 2026 at 04:23 pm IST
The World Ocean Science Congress 2026 is currently underway — running through February 23–26, 2026 — hosted at the CSIR-National Institute of Oceanography in India. The event, now in its fourth edition, brings together scientists, policymakers, maritime industry leaders, researchers, students and coastal community representatives from across the world. Its aim is to enhance understanding and management of ocean systems, address challenges of ocean health, climate change, coastal hazard resilience, and sustainable blue economy models, and foster collaboration between scientific research and real-world applications. During his address at the congress, Chief Minister Pramod Sawant underscored the importance of scientific thinking and ocean research, noting that oceans — covering about 75 % of the Earth’s surface — play a critical role in the economy, climate, fisheries and daily lives of millions of people. He highlighted that thousands of families depend on the ocean and that scientific forums like this are key to linking research with livelihoods and policy. The congress agenda includes special sessions such as meetings with fishermen, interactions with students, workshops, lectures and exhibitions aimed at making science accessible to coastal communities and strengthening capacity through partnerships. Officials also pointed to recent advancements in ocean observation, modelling technologies, artificial intelligence, autonomous underwater systems, and marine biotechnology, with institutions like the National Institute of Oceanography leading research and innovation. A significant highlight of the event was the celebration of a locally built pollution control vessel for the Indian Coast Guard, which enhances surveillance, maritime safety and pollution response capabilities. Overall, the congress serves as a global platform for ocean science, advancing knowledge on marine ecosystems, environmental protection and sustainable maritime development.
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