Dr. Urbain T.A.S. Brito of Benin was elected Chair of the International Whaling Commission at its 70th Biennial Meeting held in Hobart, Australia. The commission convened for this event from 27 September to 2 October 2026. Representatives from 65 countries attended the gathering to participate in the proceedings and the leadership vote.
New Leadership and Governance
Ms. Anne-Marie Svoboda of the European Union and the Netherlands secured the position of Vice-Chair of the International Whaling Commission during the same electoral session. Her appointment complements the leadership team alongside Dr. Urbain T.A.S. Brito.
Member states also finalized financial plans for the upcoming term. Delegates approved a 3% increase in the International Whaling Commission budget for the 2027–2028 period. This budgetary adjustment received support from the participating nations during the proceedings in Hobart. The commission will apply these funds to support its ongoing international operations and governance initiatives.
The Hobart Declaration Initiatives
Delegates at the 70th Biennial Meeting adopted the Hobart Declaration during the final session. This document serves as the International Whaling Commission’s first collective statement regarding its historical background, institutional role, and future objectives. Officials formulated the text to provide a shared vision for member states following the leadership elections. The declaration outlines the operational framework for the commission as it addresses international conservation and governance priorities in the coming years. By codifying these principles, the member states established a formal reference point for the organization’s mandate. The adoption of the Hobart Declaration concluded the formal agenda items for the assembly held in Australia. Representatives from the 65 attending nations supported the inclusion of this statement in the permanent records of the commission.
Sanctuary Proposal and Regional Context
Member states rejected a proposal to establish a whale sanctuary in the South Atlantic. This initiative, which aimed to protect cetacean populations across the ocean basin, was first introduced in 1998.
Separately, the Ministerial Conference on Fisheries Cooperation among African States Bordering the Atlantic Ocean (ATLAFCO) held its 11th Conference of Ministers in April 2025. During this event, representatives adopted the Abidjan Declaration. The document outlines regional cooperation strategies regarding the management of marine resources among member nations. The declaration serves as an official framework for the fisheries policies of the participating African states bordering the Atlantic Ocean.
