The Indian Ocean Mission is a major global scientific collaboration that aims to create a step-change in our knowledge of the Indian Ocean and catalyse its sustainable governance.

Mission II consists of six research cruises in six distinct bioregions of the Indian Ocean from West (Mozambique Channel and Seychelles), to Central (Mauritius and Maldives) and East (Andaman and Sumatra). The Mission combines four major activities – scientific research, capacity development, advancement of policy, and public engagement - to deliver the greatest coordinated impact. The Mission will conclude with a State of the Indian Ocean Summit in November 2021.

The Mission has been endorsed by International Indian Ocean Expedition 2 (IIOE-2), part of UNESCO’s Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission (UNESCO-IOC).