international hydrographic organization 2003 - IHO

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No ordinary Conference was held during the year. However, as a demand from the Strategic Planning
Working Group (SPWG), an Extra Meeting day in connection to and together with the Conference of
the Nordic Hydrographic Commission was held on the 7 th May 2003 in Norrköping, Sweden. The
work of the SPWG was thoroughly discussed under the lead of its chairman, Mr. Frode Klepsvik and
two other members of the Chair Group.
The next ordinary Conference will be held in September 2004 in the UK.
EAST ASIA HYDROGRAPHIC COMMISSION (EAHC)
Chairpersons: Mr. ZHENG HEPING (China) (to November 2003)
Mr. Hyung-Nam KIM (Republic of Korea) (from November 2003)
Vice-Chairperson:
Mr. Parry OEI (Singapour)
Members:
China, Indonesia, Japan, Malaysia, Philippines, Republic of Korea,
Singapore, Thailand.
Associated Members:
Observers:
Brunei Darussalam, Cambodia, UK, USA, Vietnam.
Last Meeting: Shanghai, 11-14/11/03
Next Meeting: Korea, 2006
The Maritime Safety Administration of Chine hosted the 8th Conference of the EAHC in Shanghai
from 11-14 November 2003, under the Chairmanship of Mr. ZHENG HEPING. The Conference was
well attended with members from the People‟s Republic of China, Japan, Republic of Korea, Republic
of the Philippines, Republic of Indonesia, Kingdom of Thailand, Republic of Singapore and Malaysia.
The United States, United Kingdom, Democratic People‟s Republic of Korea, Brunei Darussalam,
Socialist Republic of Vietnam and the IHB were present as observers.
Mr. HEPING opened the Conference and welcomed the delegates to the first Commission Conference
of the new century. He noted that three years had passed since the last meeting in Jakarta and that
world politics and economics had dramatically changed bringing forward higher demands on
hydrographic surveying with more precious opportunities and severe challenges. Mr. HEPING
encouraged free and open discussion during this Conference meeting as a venue most appropriate to
formulate strategic objectives to address the Region‟s hydrographic issues.
The Chairman‟s report for the Region and the individual Country reports highlighted the activities and
achievements in the Region towards the enhancement of maritime safety and international
cooperation.
Eleven technical papers were submitted to the Conference of which six were presented in plenary.
The topics were wide ranging and technically advanced.
Additional presentations were provided by the IHB on the update of Special Publication 55, “The
Status of Hydrography and Nautical Cartography Worldwide”, and the WEND Task Group efforts to
stimulate the worldwide coverage and availability of ENC. The Chair Group of the Strategic Planning
Working Group discussed the status of SPWG efforts. The membership of the proposed council was
the focus of much of the discussions in plenary and a subsequent meeting after adjournment.
The Conference concluded with Mr. KIM, Director-General of the National Oceanographic Research
Institute (Republic of Korea) assuming the Chairmanship, with Singapore elected as Vice-chair. The
tentative schedule for the next Conference was set for September 2006 with an extraordinary
Conference proposed for January 2005.
The Conference congratulated the Maritime Safety Administration of China for hosting a superb
meeting. The opportunity to exchange technical experiences was welcomed by all and the social
program offered an excellent occasion to further friendships and experience the beauty and hospitality
of China.