International Organization for Marine Aids to Navigation (IALA)
Kartavya Desk Staff
Source: PIB
Context: India participated in the 2nd Session of the IALA Council in Nice, France, as the Vice President of the organization.
• India also invited members for the 3rd General Assembly (2025) and 21st IALA Conference (2027) in Mumbai.
About International Organization for Marine Aids to Navigation (IALA):
• What is IALA? IALA is an intergovernmental technical body responsible for standardizing and enhancing marine aids to navigation (AtoN) to ensure maritime safety and efficiency globally.
• IALA is an intergovernmental technical body responsible for standardizing and enhancing marine aids to navigation (AtoN) to ensure maritime safety and efficiency globally.
• Established in: 1957 as a non-governmental body and became an intergovernmental organization in 2021.
• Headquarters: Saint-Germain-en-Laye, near Paris, France.
• India’s Role & Term: India is a Council member since 1980 and was elected Vice President during the 1st General Assembly in Singapore (2023). India’s tenure as Vice President (2023–2027) marks its rising maritime stature and technical leadership.
• India is a Council member since 1980 and was elected Vice President during the 1st General Assembly in Singapore (2023).
• India’s tenure as Vice President (2023–2027) marks its rising maritime stature and technical leadership.
• Objectives of IALA: To develop international standards and technical guidance for marine navigation aids. To promote safety of navigation, protection of the marine environment, and global harmonization of practices. To support capacity building in member states through training, technology sharing, and advisory services.
• To develop international standards and technical guidance for marine navigation aids.
• To promote safety of navigation, protection of the marine environment, and global harmonization of practices.
• To support capacity building in member states through training, technology sharing, and advisory services.
• Functions & India’s Contributions: Standardization of Navigation Aids: Sets global norms for buoys, beacons, lighthouses, and Vessel Traffic Services (VTS). Technological Innovation: Works on IoT-enabled navigation, Maritime Service Registry, and digital AtoN development. Training and Capacity Building: India’s Kolkata Marine Navigation Training Institute will host global training sessions. Heritage Conservation: Focuses on preservation of historical lighthouses, aligned with India’s own lighthouse tourism mission. Hosting Global Maritime Events: India will host the 3rd General Assembly (2025) and 21st IALA Conference (2027) in Mumbai, underlining its global maritime leadership.
• Standardization of Navigation Aids: Sets global norms for buoys, beacons, lighthouses, and Vessel Traffic Services (VTS).
• Technological Innovation: Works on IoT-enabled navigation, Maritime Service Registry, and digital AtoN development.
• Training and Capacity Building: India’s Kolkata Marine Navigation Training Institute will host global training sessions.
• Heritage Conservation: Focuses on preservation of historical lighthouses, aligned with India’s own lighthouse tourism mission.
• Hosting Global Maritime Events: India will host the 3rd General Assembly (2025) and 21st IALA Conference (2027) in Mumbai, underlining its global maritime leadership.