🔆 International Organization for Marine Aids to Navigation (IALA): ✅IALA is an intergovernmental technical body responsible for standardizing and enhancing marine aids to navigation (AtoN) to ensure maritime safety and efficiency globally. ✅Established in: 1957 as a non-governmental body and became an intergovernmental organization in 2021. ✅Headquarters:  Saint-Germain-en-Laye, near Paris, France. ✅India’s Role & Term: India is a Council member since 1980 and was elected Vice President during the 1st General Assembly in Singapore (2023). ✅India’s tenure as Vice President (2023–2027) marks its rising maritime stature and technical leadership. 📍Objectives of IALA: ✅To develop international standards and technical guidance for marine navigation aids. ✅To promote safety of navigation, protection of the marine environment, and global harmonization of practices. ✅To support capacity building in member states through training, technology sharing, and advisory services. 📍Functions & India’s Contributions: ✅Standardization of Navigation Aids: Sets global norms for buoys, beacons, lighthouses, and Vessel Traffic Services (VTS). ✅Technological Innovation: Works on IoT-enabled navigation, Maritime Service Registry, and digital AtoN development. ✅Training and Capacity Building: India’s Kolkata Marine Navigation Training Institute will host global training sessions. ✅Heritage Conservation: Focuses on preservation of historical lighthouses, aligned with India’s own lighthouse tourism mission. ✅Hosting Global Maritime Events: India will host the 3rd General Assembly (2025) and 21st IALA Conference (2027) in Mumbai, underlining its global maritime leadership.