International Marine Science Conference

IOC Sub-Commission for the Western Pacific (WESTPAC)

Advancing knowledge and cooperation for a healthy ocean and prosperous society

About the Conference

Since 1986, the IOC Sub-Commission for the Western Pacific (WESTPAC) has convened the WESTPAC International Scientific Symposium every three years, hosted on a rotational basis by its Member States.

In 2014, the event was renamed the WESTPAC International Marine Science Conference (WESTPAC IMSC).

Over the past decade, the Conference has grown into one of the largest regional gatherings for marine research communities and ocean stakeholders from diverse sectors.

Over the years, the symposium has grown in both prominence and influence, gaining widespread recognition across the region and beyond, and attracting a growing number of participants from Southeast Asian countries. Qin/IOC-WESTPAC

Why It Matters

The WESTPAC IMSC has become a cornerstone event for:

Advancing ocean knowledge
Fostering multi- and trans-disciplinary collaboration
Strengthening partnerships among:

- scientists
- resource managers
- government officials
- the private sector
- NGOs and foundations

Together, these efforts contribute to better ocean management practices and more informed decision-making for sustainable ocean development.

Global Relevance

Since 2021, the WESTPAC IMSC has taken on a dual role: not only as a leading regional scientific conference, but also as the Decade Regional Conference contrubtes to the UN Decade of Ocean Science for Sustainable Development (2021–2030).

Through this role, it mobilizes region-wide collaboration and accelerates the development and implementation of Decade Actions.

Latest Milestone｜Officially Registered with the UN Ocean Decade (June 2025)

In June 2025, the WESTPAC International Marine Science Conference (IMSC) was officially registered with the UN Ocean Decade as the “UN42–WESTPAC International Marine Science Conference.”

This recognition marks a significant milestone in its nearly 40-year journey of advancing sustainable ocean development in the Western Pacific region.