Today is the inaugural United Nations World Hydrography Day, which is to be celebrated annually on 21 June. The aim of World Hydrography Day is to raise public awareness of the important work of increasing coverage of hydrographic information across the globe, and to urge all countries to work with respective hydrographic organisations to promote safe navigation. This vital work contributes to the
safety of life at sea, efficient commercial trade and protection of the maritime environment. The theme for World Hydrography Day 2006 is to celebrate 85 years of the International Hydrographic Organization (IHO) contributing to worldwide safety of navigation.

The Australian Hydrographic Service (an element of Navy’s Hydrographic, Meteorological and Oceanographic Force Element Group) is Australia’s national charting authority, responsible for meeting Australia’s obligations under United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) and Safety of Life at Sea (SOLAS) conventions and represents Australia in the IHO. In Australia the United Nations World Hydrographic Day Launch and Seminar will be today, Wednesday 21 June 2006, R1 Theatrette, Russell Offices Canberra, commencing at 1215. Chief of Navy, Vice Admiral Russ Shalders and the Hydrographer of Australia, Captain Rod Nairn as well as a representative of the Minister for Defence will speak to a forum of senior key Defence and civilian guests from the hydrographic and geospatial information industry.