Annual Meetings of Indian Ocean Global Ocean Observing System (IOGOOS) - XXI
Integrated meetings of IOGOOS and its projects and programs
IOGOOS (21st major meeting), IIOE-2 Steering Committee (9th major meeting)
IORP (22nd major meeting),IRF (18th major meeting)
SIBER (18th major meeting), KUDOS Workshop, ECSN Workshop
Haeundae Central Hotel, Haeundae, Busan, South Korea
Hosted by
Korea Institute of Ocean Science and Technology (KIOST),South Korea
March 16 – 20, 2026

Participants are expected to fill in the (Online Google Form) on or before 31 January 2026 to facilitate appropriate planning and coordination.

Conference Information Booklet IIOSC-2025 & Provisional Agenda of 21st Annual Meeting of Indian Ocean Global Ocean Observing System (IOGOOS)

MEETING INFORMATION

1.PREAMBLE

The Integrated annual meetings of the Indian Ocean Global Ocean Observing System (IOGOOS) and its allied programs such as the Second International Indian Ocean Expedition (IIOE-2), Sustained Indian Ocean Bio-geochemical and Ecological Research (SIBER), IndOOS Resource Forum (IRF) and Indian Ocean Regional Panel (IORP), along with the Korea-US Indian Ocean Science (KUDOS) and Early Career Scientist Network (ECSN) workshop will take place during 16-20 March 2026 at Haeundae Central Hotel, Haeundae, Busan, South Korea. These integrated meetings aim to review the progress and scientific knowledge gained due to the concerted efforts of these regional bodies and to plan and discuss the action plans to address the issues leading to the UN Decade of Ocean Science for Sustainable Development (2021-2030).
These integrated meetings and workshops bring members and secretariats of IOGOOS, IIOE-2, SIBER, IORP and IRF and to meet again together in an integrated collegiate format at Haeundae Central Hotel, Haeundae, Busan, South Korea.

• IOGOOS - Indian Ocean Global Ocean Observing System (a GOOS Regional Alliance)
• IIOE-2 - Second International Indian Ocean Expedition
• SIBER - Sustained Indian Ocean Biogeochemistry and Ecosystem Research
• IORP - Indian Ocean Region Panel of CLIVAR/IOC-GOOS
• IRF - Indian Ocean Observing System Resources Forum of IOGOOS

2. HOSTS AND CONFERENCE VENUE

The conference is being hosted by “Korea Research Institute of Marine Science and Technology”.

The venue for the integrated meetings is situated in ‘Haeundae Central Hotel’ Haeundae Busan, South Korea. The map coordinates of the venue is https://maps.app.goo.gl/zU6prKMCUKQCL65T6

3. Principal Coordinators for the conference:

Local Organizers:

• Dr. Dong-Jin Kang, the Vice President of KIOST and the Chair of the IIOE-2 Korean National Committee.E-mail: mrbadal@govmu.org
• Dr. Hyoun-Woo Kang, PI of the KIOST Indian Ocean Study: Korea-US Joint Observation Study of the Indian Ocean. E-mail: hwkang@kiost.ac.kr
• Dr. Sujin Kang, Senior Research Scientist of KIOST. E-mail: sjkang@kiost.ac.kr

IOGOOS Secretariat:

• Mr M Nagaraja Kumar, Co-Secretary, Indian Ocean Global Ocean Observing System, Scientist-F & Division Head, Operational Ocean Services (OOS) - Indian National Centre for Ocean Information Services (INCOIS), Hyderabad, India. E-mail: raja@incois.gov.in

IIOE-2 Project Office, SIBER International Programme Office and IRF:

• Dr Aneesh Lotliker chairperson of SIBER, IRF, IIOE–2, Scientist-F & Division Head, Ocean Observation Network (OON) - Indian National Centre for Ocean Information Services (INCOIS), Hyderabad, India. E-mail: aneesh@incois.gov.in

Scientific Committee on Ocean Research (SCOR):

• College of Earth, Ocean, and Environment 003 Robinson Hall, University of Delaware, Newark, DE 19716, U S A, Phone: +1-302-831-7011. E-mail: secretariat@scor-int.org

IORP Secretariat:

• Dr Agus Santoso, Director, International CLIVAR Project Office (ICPO), Qingdao, China. E-mail: agus.santoso@clivar.org

Korea-US Indian Ocean Science (KUDOS) Research:

• Dr Dong-Jin Kang, Ph.D, Korea Institute of Ocean Science & Technology (KIOST), Busan 49111, Korea. E-mail: djocean@kiost.ac.kr

IIOE-2 ECSN:

• Dr Sudheesh V, Chair, IIOE-2 Early Career Scientist Network (ECSN), Central University of Kerala, Central Instrumentation Facility, Kasaragod, India. E-mail: sudhikeloth13@gmail.com

4. Meeting Schedules & Agenda

The banquet provided by the local organizer (KIOST) is scheduled for Wednesday evening, starting at 18:00, at a restaurant near the venue

5. AGENDAS & PRESENTATIONS

The detailed agenda for all meetings will be circulated to participants via the respective group secretariats of IIOE-2, IOGOOS, IORP, IRF and SIBER responsible for their own meetings. Refer to the questions on the agenda to the relevant co-chairs/secretariats.

Please note that all co-chairs/secretariats will be required to provide laptops to run their meetings.

Please note that it is intended that all presentations given at the conference will be made available to participants (in PDF format) following the conclusion of the conference and subject to the approval of the authors.

It is intended, as customary, for these meetings to be a fully in-person conference. However, the possibility will be explored for virtual participation.

6. REGISTRATION

Registration Fee

• KRW 25,000 per day (for a total of KRW 125,000 (approximately US$90) for 5 days, no daily registration available)
• The registration fee covers the conference venue and lunch expenses.
• All other costs will be covered by the national host.

Payment Methods

• On-site Payment
  Credit/debit card payment (Visa, MasterCard, JCB, Union Pay) will also be available at the registration desk during the event.
  A reception desk will be set-up in the lobby on the ground floor of Haeundae Central Hotel building and be staffed on 16th March 2026 during 09:00 to 10:30 hrs.

7. CONFERENCE FACILITIES

Venue Information

• Venue Name: Haeundae Central Hotel
• Address: 33 Haeundaehaebyeon-ro 298beon-gil, Haeundae-gu, Busan

Main Meeting Room

• Capacity: 50 persons
• Description: This is the primary meeting room equipped to accommodate up to 100 individuals for various gatherings, conferences, or events.

Small Meeting Rooms

• Capacity: 80persons
• Description: This room is suitable for smaller group meetings, discussions, or breakout sessions.

Power:

• South Korea uses 220V / 60Hz Electricity.
• The standard plug type is Type F (two round pins with grounding), with round pins of about 4.7~4.8mm in diameter.
• While Type C and Type F Plugs from Europe generally fit, some European plugs may not be fully compatible.,
• International Participants are advised to bring a universal power adapter

    

Wi-Fi:

• Availability: Complimentary Wi-Fi is available throughout the hotel (guest rooms, lobby and all conference facilities)
• Speed: South Korea is known for one of the world’s fastest and most reliable internet networks.
• Access: Hotel Wi-Fi network name and password will be provided at check-in or at the conference room.
• Support: If you experience any connectivity issues, please contact the hotel front desk or the conference registration desk for assistance

8. ACCOMODATION

The organizers do not arrange hotel reservations and transportation to and from the airport. Anything else is outside our responsibility. Participants can book hotels and airport transportation through internet searches. However, information to assist in hotel and airport transportation reservations is provided below:

Haeundae, Busan
Hotel Name	Features / Strengths	Price	Website
Haeundae Central Hotel (Venue) Main Venue Hotel	Walking distance to Haeundae Beach Special rates are available by applying the discount code	70 USD ~	Visit Website
Haeundae Marianne Hotel	5–10 minutes walking distance Excellent accessibility: Bus stop located directly in front of the hotel. Special rates are available by applying the discount code	42 USD ~	Visit Website
Paradise Hotel Busan	1–2 minutes walking distance 5-Star luxury hotel Direct beach access Ocean-view spa & foreigner-only casino	205 USD ~	Visit Website
Ramada Encore by Wyndham Haeundae	10–15 minutes walking distance International brand hotel Near subway station	70 USD ~	Visit Website
Grand Josun Busan	3–5 minutes walking distance 5-Star luxury hotel Direct beach access Walking distance to Haeundae beach Features modern facilities, an infinity pool, and premium dining	165 USD ~	Visit Website
Felix by STX Hotel & Suite	10–15 minutes walking distance Near subway station	70 USD ~	Visit Website
Shilla Stay Haeundae	15 minutes walking distance 4-star business hotel Walking distance to Haeundae Beach	95 USD ~	Visit Website
Busan Yeongmu Parade Hotel Haeundae Beach	5 minutes walking distance Pet friendly Walking distance to Haeundae Beach	265 USD ~	Visit Website
Toyoko Inn Busan Haeundae	15 minutes walking distance 5–7 minutes walk to Haeundae Beach Budget-friendly Japanese chain hotel	55 USD ~	Visit Website

9. Transport

Suggested travel routes from Incheon International Airport(ICN) to Haeundae, Busan. (The prices are subject to change without notice)

Airport Name	Note
Incheon International Airport (ICN)	The main international airport in South Korea, where most international flights arrive.
Gimpo International Airport (GMP)	Located closer to downtown Seoul, mainly serving domestic flights (including flights to Busan) and a few short-haul international routes.
Gimhae International Airport (PUS)	The main airport for Busan and the southeastern region of Korea, handling both domestic and international flights. It is the closest airport to Haeundae, about 1 hour by bus or taxi.

Option 1: Domestic Flight via Gimpo Airport

Route	Transportation	Duration / Fare
Incheon Airport (ICN) Gimpo Airport (GMP)	Airport Limousine Bus or AREX Airport Express Train	Approx. 40 minutes Around KRW 5,000 – 10,000
Gimpo Airport (GMP) Gimhae Airport (PUS)	Domestic flight	Approx. 1 hour Around KRW 50,000 – 120,000 *Depending on airline and booking time
Gimhae Airport (PUS) Haeundae, Busan	Limousine bus (Haeundae Hot Spring Sageori Station), Busan Subway (Line 2, Haeundae Station), or Taxi	Approx. 60 minutes Bus: KRW 7,000 – 10,000 Taxi: KRW 30,000 – 40,000

Option 2: High-speed Train (KTX)

Route	Transportation	Duration / Fare
Incheon Airport (ICN) Seoul Station	Airport Limousine Bus or AREX Airport Express Train	Approx. 60 minutes Around KRW 9,500 – 10,000
Seoul Station Busan Station	KTX high-speed train	Approx. 3 hours Around KRW 60,000 – 80,000 *KORAIL official mobile app (“Korail Talk” / “Korail App”) KORAIL website: www.letskorail.com
Busan Station Haeundae, Busan	Subway (Line 1 → Line 2) or Taxi	Approx. 40–50 minutes Subway: KRW 1,500 – 2,000 Taxi: KRW 20,000 – 30,000

Useful Tips for First Time visitors to South Korea

Transportation Card: You can use rechargeable transportation cards such as T-money or Cashbee, which are valid on almost all buses and subways nationwide. Cash and credit cards are also accepted, but transportation cards are the most convenient option.

Taxi Tips

Name and address in KoreanShow :
below Korean address to your taxi driver or when asking for directions

      

10. Invitation Letter

The delegates who require an invitation letter for visa purposes are kindly requested to contact the local organizer at the email address below. Dr. Sujin Kang (KIOST): sjkang@kiost.ac.kr

11. Exchange rates

On January 10, 2026, 1 USD = ~ 1,457.33 South Korean Won (SKW)

12.Visa

Visa Requirements for Entry to the Republic of Korea.

Visa-Free Entry

• Nationals from 112 Countries may enter Korea without a visa for short-term visits (usually up to 90 days), depending on their nationality.
• K-ETA (Korea Electronic Travel Authorization)

Travelers from visa-waiver countries must apply for K-ETA before

• Apply online at www.k-eta.go.kr
• Processing time: usually within 24 hours
• Fee: KRW 10,000 (approx. USD 9-10)
• Validity: 2 years (multiple entry)

Visa Required

Nationals of countries not eligible for visa-free entry of K-ETA must apply for a visa at the Korean Embassy or Consulate in their home country before traveling.

• Required documents typically include an invitation letter from the local organization

Important Notes

• Your passport must be valid for at least 6 months from the date of entry.

             

13. Other general information:

Weather: General Info on the Weather Conditions may be obtained through the web

Background Documents

Search Term

S.No.	Description	Web Link
01	Information Booklet for Participants Last updated on 29/Jan/2026 18:00hrs (IST)