Dr. Syed Mazhar Haq from Pakistan obtained his PhD more than 50 years ago and his involvement in IOC program and activities dates back to 1961. He participated in organizing and planning of the International Indian Ocean Expedition which took place from 1960-1965. As a follow up to this expedition he led oceanographic cruises conducted on board Pakistani ships in the Arabian Sea and the Bay of Bengal. In 1978 Dr. Haq joined the IOC where he played a key role in the development of new strategies to circumvent the emergent needs of developing coastal and island states for improved capacity. A comprehensive plan for a major assistance and the guidelines developed under his supervision were very helpful in mobilizing the marine scientific community in the IOC regions.