Somalia and Non-Membership in the International Hydrographic Organization

The International Hydrographic Organization (IHO) originated in 1921 with the establishment of the International Hydrographic Bureau (IHB) by a group of maritime States to promote cooperation in hydrographic surveying and nautical charting. At that stage, the institution operated as a coordinating bureau rather than an organization established by treaty.

The formal legal foundation of the organization was later provided by the Convention on the International Hydrographic Organization, adopted in 1967 and entering into force in 1970. The Convention transformed the earlier bureau into the International Hydrographic Organization as an intergovernmental organization, providing it with an institutional structure and a treaty-based legal framework.

The historical development may therefore be summarized as follows: the creation of the International Hydrographic Bureau in 1921, the adoption of the Convention on the International Hydrographic Organization in 1967, and the entry into force of the Convention in 1970, which formally established the IHO in its present intergovernmental form.

The Organization coordinates the activities of national hydrographic offices and promotes uniformity in nautical charts and documents. It issues survey best practices, provides guidelines to maximize the use of hydrographic survey data and develops hydrographic capabilities in Member States.[1]

Hydrography is the basis for all activities involving the sea: Safety of navigation, Tourism, Protection and management of the marine environment, Search and rescue, Use of marine resources: minerals, oil & gas, renewable energy, Maritime boundaries and policing, Maritime trade, Marine science, Coastal zone management, Marine spatial data infrastructure, Fishing, aquaculture and mariculture, Recreational boating, Maritime defence and security and Tsunami flood and inundation modelling. [2]

The marine environment is constantly changing, whether due to climate change, extreme events, or simply the movement of tides and currents. Hydrography helps States monitor such changes and adapt their activities.

Hydrographic data is essential for modern maritime governance. Accurate nautical charts enable ships to navigate safely through coastal waters, ports, and shipping lanes, thereby reducing the risk of maritime accidents and environmental damage. In addition, hydrographic surveys play an important role in supporting coastal development, marine spatial planning, offshore energy exploration, fisheries management, and marine environmental protection.

For coastal states, participation in the IHO framework also provides access to training programmes, technical assistance, and international cooperation mechanisms aimed at strengthening national hydrographic capabilities. These functions are particularly important for developing states whose maritime administrations may lack sufficient technical resources and institutional capacity.

Somalia’s Status Outside the IHO Framework

As of March 2026, Somalia has not acceded to the Convention on the International Hydrographic Organization and therefore does not participate as a member state within the organization. This places Somalia among a group of African states that remain outside the formal hydrographic cooperation framework coordinated by the IHO.

The absence of membership does not prevent Somalia from conducting hydrographic activities within its maritime jurisdiction. However, it limits the country’s ability to participate directly in the development of international hydrographic standards and reduces opportunities for institutional cooperation with national hydrographic offices of other states.

Relevance for Somalia’s Maritime Governance

Somalia occupies a strategically significant location along major international shipping routes connecting the Indian Ocean, the Red Sea, and the Gulf of Aden. The country’s coastline extends over more than three thousand kilometres, making maritime governance an important component of national economic and security policy. The development of modern ports, the regulation of maritime transport, and the protection of marine resources all require accurate hydrographic information and effective maritime safety systems.

Potential Benefits of Future Membership

Accession to the Convention on the International Hydrographic Organization could offer several potential advantages for Somalia. First, membership would allow Somalia to participate in international decision-making processes relating to hydrographic standards and maritime navigation systems. Second, it would facilitate technical cooperation with established hydrographic offices and provide access to training programmes designed to strengthen national expertise in hydrographic surveying and nautical chart production.

Third, membership could contribute to improving maritime safety within Somalia’s territorial waters and adjacent sea lanes by supporting the development of modern hydrographic infrastructure. Finally, participation in the IHO framework could reinforce Somalia’s broader maritime governance reforms and support the country’s ambitions to develop its ports and maritime economy.

Status of African States in Relation to the International Hydrographic Organization

As of 16 March 2026, 23 African states are recorded as non-members of the International Hydrographic Organization, reflecting that a considerable number of countries on the continent remain outside the institutional framework for international hydrographic cooperation. Among these states, only three are landlocked Ethiopia, Malawi, and Uganda while the remaining states are coastal countries.[3]

Conclusion

The International Hydrographic Organization represents a key institutional mechanism for international cooperation in hydrographic surveying, nautical charting, and maritime navigation safety. Although Somalia possesses extensive maritime zones and occupies a strategically important position along global shipping routes, the country has not yet become a member of the organization or acceded to its founding convention.

In light of Somalia’s ongoing efforts to modernize its maritime governance framework, accession to the International Hydrographic Organization could provide significant institutional, technical, and operational benefits. By participating in the global hydrographic cooperation system, Somalia would be better positioned to enhance maritime safety, strengthen hydrographic capacity, and support the sustainable development of its maritime sector.

[1] International Hydrographic Organization, ‘about the IHO’ (2026), available at https://iho.int/en/about-the-iho.

[2] ibid

[3] International Hydrographic Organization, Organisation Hydrographique Internationale: Yearbook – Annuaire – Anuario (2026) https://iho.int/uploads/user/pubs/periodical/P5YEARBOOK_ANNUAIRE.pdf. accessed 16 March 2026.