On 5 June 2020, at the IHO headquarters in the Principality of Monaco (Montecarlo), at the end of the remote voting procedure implemented following the COVID emergency, the votes received by the 81 Member States were counted for the election of the new director who will hold the office starting from 1 September 2020.
Rear Admiral Luigi Sinapi, former director of the Hydrographic Institute of the Navy (IIM), was elected to hold this prestigious position as the new director of the IHO, chosen from a shortlist of three candidates from Brazil, Italy and the USA.
His work as director of the IIM since 2015 has led him to work closely with the international hydrographic community, holding important and delicate positions for the IHO as chairman of the committee for hydrographic services and IHO standards ( Hydrographic Services and Standards Committee - HSSC) where he contributed in particular to promoting the development of the new cartographic standard S-100, and chairman of the Mediterranean and Black Seas Hydrographic Commission - MBSHC, coordinating the activities of all the nations of an extremely strategic and complex area of the globe.
The many activities carried out internationally, both bilaterally and within the IHO, have allowed him to gain unconditional esteem and high recognition for the professionalism highlighted.
Furthermore, what was carried out at national level such as the start of the Arctic research program of the Navy called "High North" under the scientific guidance of the IIM, highlighted and confirmed to international observers the open vision of the new director of the IHO , inspired to always face new challenges with the aim of increasing knowledge of the oceans and fostering multidisciplinary cooperation.
One of the priorities announced by Rear Admiral Sinapi will be to increase the mapping of the seabed to promote an ever greater knowledge of an environment that sees its future strictly connected to the protection of the planet and the sustenance of mankind. In fact, in this century, called the “Blue Century”, over 3 billion people rely on marine fish resources as the primary source of food. A more accurate knowledge and understanding of the marine environment can only favor sustainable development and at the same time all the information necessary for safer navigation.
The IHO General Secretariat, Dr. Mathias Jonas, during the video conference for the announcement of the winners, thanked the 81 voting states and expressed his deep appreciation for all three candidates, warmly congratulating Rear Admiral Sinapi on the victory.
