IIOE-2 is co-sponsored by the Indian Ocean Global Observing System (IOGOOS), the Scientific Committee on Oceanic Research (SCOR) and the Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission (IOC) of UNESCO.

The Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission of UNESCO was established as a body with functional autonomy within UNESCO and is the only competent organization for marine science within the UN system.

The IOC emerged during the original International Indian Ocean Expedition 1959-65 (IIOE) run by SCOR and IOC, with IOC having the lead coordination role for IIOE during 1962-65. Since then, the IOC has worked to promote marine research, services and capacity building in order to learn more about the nature and resources of the ocean and coastal areas and to apply that knowledge for the improvement of management, sustainable development, the protection of the marine environment, and the decision-making processes of its Member States. Major programmes of the IOC include monitoring the ocean through the Global Ocean Observing System (GOOS), the Tsunami Programme, Capacity Development and facilitating the science base for ocean management.

The India Project Office will be the primary focal node for the IOC's coordination of IIOE-2 and primary point of contact for IIOE-2 related matters (as a designated node of the PO). The PO is strongly supported by UNESCO IOC.

The Indian Ocean Global Observing System (IOGOOS) was formally established on November 5, 2002. 19 organisations from 10 countries became members of IOGOOS and agreed to collaborate and work together for the implementation of GOOS in the Indian Ocean and for promoting activities of common interest for the development of operational oceanography in the Indian Ocean region.

Objectives of IOGOOS are the following:

1. Enhance the Ocean Observing System in the region,
2. Promote and facilitate efficient and effective management, exchange and utilisation of oceanographic data,
3. Promote programmes and projects in operational oceanography and ocean services in the region meeting the requirements of end-users,
4. Strengthen capacity building for enhancing the capabilities in the region,
5. Encourage research to support the needs of users,
6. Develop synergies with other ocean programmes and regional GOOS bodies, and
7. Contribute to international planning and promotion of GOOS.

The Scientific Committee on Ocean Research (SCOR), established in 1957, was the first permanent interdisciplinary body formed by the International Council of Scientific Unions, now called the International Council for Science (ICSU). Recognition that the scientific problems of the ocean require a truly interdisciplinary approach was embodied in plans for the International Geophysical Year of 1957-1958, and the same approach was adopted by SCOR from its beginning. SCOR took the responsibility from 1957 to bring together ocean scientists from all parts of the world, through a variety of mechanisms, to advance ocean science and overcome barriers to understanding the ocean. It co-led the original IIOE and again is co-leading IIOE-2, along with IOC and IOGOOS.