The Integrated Marine Debris Observing System (IMDOS) is delighted to announce the election of Dr Amy Lusher (Norwegian Institute for Water Research, NIVA) and Prof Alexander Turra (University of São Paulo, Brazil) as the inaugural Co-Chairs of its Steering Committee, which presides over the two sub-committees; Implementation Committee and the Advisory & Sponsors Committee. Dr Lusher is a senior research scientist with more than 15 years of experience in plastic-pollution research and assessment. She has led microplastic assessment strategies for the Norwegian Environment Agency, co-developed best-practice guidelines and reports for the Ministry Of Environment Japan, Arctic Monitoring and Assessment Programme, and Food and Agriculture Organization among others, and spearheaded efforts to optimize and harmonize methodologies for accuracy and comparability. As a high achieving scientist, Dr Lusher brings a proven ability to translate science into actionable policy frameworks. Prof. Turra is a marine ecologist and professor at the University of Sao Paulo’s Oceanographic Institute where he coordinates the UNESCO Chair for Ocean Sustainability. His career has continuously bridged science, governance and civil-society engagement which led him to establish the Centre of Excellence for Ocean Innovation and Transformative Technologies and serve as Co-Chair of the UN Ocean Decade Advisory Board (2024-25), with the focus of bringing the ocean further into the international agenda. His long-standing involvement with GESAMP, a Group of Experts under the International Maritime Organization, and plastic pollution working groups, positions Professor Turra to elevate IMDOS within global policy arenas. As Co-Chairs they will guide IMDOS in establishing a globally coordinated and sustained observing system for marine debris that fills knowledge gaps and delivers adequate and reliable data and information for all stakeholders. The Steering Committee thanks all candidates and looks forward to working under Dr Amy Lusher’s and Prof. Alex Turra’s leadership to advance IMDOS’s mission.