The newly-elected vice-chairman of UNESCO's IOC Tsunami Committee Amr Hamouda. Photo courtesy of UNESCO website
This is the first time an African or Arab expert has held this position, the minister said in a statement.
The IOC (Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission) is composed of 150 member states from all over the world.
Hamouda was elected unanimously by the member states from the Mediterranean and the North Atlantic region.
The minister also stated that this position affirms Egypt's regional and international role in UNESCO and provides an integrated vision to mitigate the risks of tsunami waves in the eastern Mediterranean.
The officers of the commission are the chairperson and five vice-chairpersons, who are elected every two years and can serve for a maximum of two consecutive terms.
The IOC was established in 1960 with the objective of understanding and improving the management of our oceans, coasts, and marine ecosystems.
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