In line with IOC Resolutions A-33/3 and EC-57/2, IFAG will have regular online meetings so as to ensure that Member States are appraised of and involved with all relevant developments during the intersessional period, including the Draft Programme and Budget for 2026–2029 (43 C/5) preparations and the 'Consultation Process – IOC and the Future of the Ocean'.  

The group will work after the nomination of members by IOC Member States in response to IOC Circular Letter 3051 under the lead of Vice-Chair Carlos Zúñiga Araya (Chile). The group is composed of members from the following Member States: Argentina, Australia, Bangladesh, Belgium, Brazil, Canada, China, Colombia, France, Germany, Greece, Iceland, Japan, Kenya, Mexico, Norway, Peru, Portugal, Russian Federation, Spain, Tunisia, Türkiye, United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, United States of America. (See complete list of members).

See IFAG work in 2024-2025 

Second informal online meeting of the group on Tuesday 18 November 2025.  Access the transcripts and recording of the meeting here (Passcode: Nvr%n8LM - 2 hours) 

The agenda and documentation for the meeting are as follows: 

• Updates on outcomes of the 43rd Session of the UNESCO General Conference
• Update on budget situation for 2026/2027 biennium
• Update on resource mobilisation priorities and approach
• Improving efficiency and effectiveness in IOC governance
• IOC Communications Strategy
• Additional orientation session: Update on the GOOS Reform

Reference documents and presentations: 

• IOC Executive Secretary presentation (18 November 2025)
• Draft Proposal for Revised GOOS Structure (24 October 2025)
• Adoption of the Appropriation resolution for 2026–2027 (43 C/13; 10 Nov. 2025)
• Recommendations of the Executive Board on the Draft Programme and Budget for 2026–2029 (43 C/5) and future Programme and Budget cycles (43 C/64; 10 Nov. 2025)
• Report of the Natural Sciences and IOC Commission (SC-IOC) (43 C/72; 10 Nov. 2025)

First informal online meeting of the group on Thursday 2 October 2025.  Access the transcripts and recording of the meeting here (1h33 mn)

The agenda and documentation for the meeting are as follows: 

• Preparations of the Draft Programme & Budget 2026–2029 (43 C/5, first biennium 2026–2027) – UNESCO Executive Board Document 222 EX/21 (8 September 2025)
• Any other business

Reference documents and presentations: 

Presentation:

• IFAG Chairperson introduction (2 October 2025)
• IOC Executive Secretary presentation (2 October 2025)

Documents & references:

• IOC/A-33/3.2.Doc(2) – Report on 2024–2025 (42 C/5) budget implementation as at 31 December 2024
• IOC/A-33/3.2.Doc(3) – Financial situation of the IOC Special Account as at year end 2024 and forecast for 2025
• IOC/A-33/5.1.Doc(1) – Draft Programme and Budget for 2026–2027 (Draft 43 C/5, first biennium of the 2026–2029 quadrennium)
• IOC/A-33/5.1.Doc(2) – Report of the Chairperson of the IOC Intersessional Financial Advisory Group (2024–2025)
• IOC/A-33/5.2.Doc(1) – Assessment of IOC's governance and management processes
• IOC/A-33/5.3.Doc(1) – IOC and the Future of the Ocean Consultation Process: Summary of Phase 1
• IOC/A-33/5.3.Doc(2) – Action Plan in response to the IOS Evaluation of the IOC Strategic Positioning: Update on implementation
• PPt presentation to the Financial Committee (A-33)  – IOC Executive Secretary's presentation to the Financial Committee at the 33^rd session of the IOC Assembly (June 2025)

no event notes available