The 2023 Western Indian Ocean Science to Policy Platform
The 2023 Western Indian Ocean (WIO) Science to Policy Forum themed ‘Addressing Global Targets in the WIO in support of a Sustainable Blue Economy’ took place in December in Maputo, Mozambique. It followed the 2021 Science to Policy Forum whose theme was ‘Transitioning to a Sustainable Blue Economy in the WIO region: Addressing the challenges and harnessing opportunities’. The Nairobi Convention Secretariat and the Western Indian Ocean Marine Science Association (WIOMSA) co-organized this forum which brought together key stakeholders, strengthening the link between scientific insights and policy.
Background of the Western Indian Ocean Science to Policy Platform
This platform traces back to the fourth Conference of the Parties (COP) of the Nairobi Convention in 2004. A directive was issued to establish a network of academic and research institutions. It aims to bridge the gap between research and decision-making in the Western Indian Ocean (WIO) region. This led to the creation of the Forum for Academic and Research Institutions (FARI). WIOMSA hosted FARI. Over the years, various initiatives supported the establishment of a Science to Policy Forum. These initiatives include the WIOSAP and WIO LME SAPPHIRE projects. The recent approval of a Science to Policy Platform (SPP) at the Convention level underscores the commitment to informed decision-making. It shows the dedication to managing coastal and marine resources.
The 2023 Western Indian Ocean Science to Policy Platform
The 2023 WIO Science to Policy Platform explored linkages with global and regional initiatives like the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework, the BBNJ treaty, UN Decade of Ocean Science, and INC negotiations on plastics. Additionally, this Forum was aligned to a new Nairobi Convention program for a sustainable Blue Economy in the WIO region, supported by projects like WIOSAP, SAPPHIRE, NC-SWIOFC, and EU-MEAs.
Prof. Antonio Hoguane, Oceanographic Institute of Mozambique, in his opening remarks welcomed participants and highlighted the forum’s importance amid global environmental discussions. Dr. Arthur Tuda, Executive Director of WIOMSA, stressed the critical interaction between science and policy. Dixon Waruinge, Head of the Nairobi Convention Secretariat, underscored the importance of bridging the gap between science and decision-making in ocean governance. Dr. Emília Fumo, the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Land and Environment of Mozambique, officially opened the meeting.
The second session delved into the Global Biodiversity Framework, featuring presentations on regional efforts, challenges, and policy recommendations. Subsequent sessions explored topics such as Marine Spatial Planning, mangrove conservation, economic valuation of transboundary conservation areas and formalizing Locally Managed Marine Areas (LMMAs) in across the region.
Discussion groups during the Forum explored issues such as mainstreaming climate variability and change into fisheries management, mitigating Illegal, Unregulated, and Unreported (IUU) fishing, implementing the WIO Regional Ocean Governance (ROG) Strategy, strengthening the source-to-sea interface and access to shared data for effective ocean governance. Their recommendations aimed to assist the WIO in meeting global targets for a Sustainable Blue Economy.
On the third day of the conference, the keynote presentations focused on vital topics related to Mozambique’s Blue Economy. These included discussions on Marine Biodiversity Beyond National Jurisdiction (BBNJ), tackling marine plastic pollution, sustainable development of ports, blue finance, and an update on the progress of the UN Ocean Decade in Africa. The speakers underscored the importance of adopting a regional approach to improve access to blue financing in the WIO (Western Indian Ocean) region.
Madagascar, the current Chair of the Nairobi Convention Bureau, thanked everyone for their contributions. Dr. Jared Bosire from the Nairobi Convention praised the active Forum and shared upcoming steps: creating a meeting report, compiling discussion papers into a reviewed compendium, reviewing policy recommendations, and sorting proposed decision areas. The aim is to present them at the 11th Nairobi Convention Conference of Parties after involving focal points. Dr. Bosire thanked Mr. Dixon Waruinge, the outgoing Nairobi Convention Head. In closing, Mr. Waruinge stressed the importance of ocean governance and urged active participation in global discussions. He highlighted the regional Ocean Governance Strategy as a tool for addressing biodiversity loss, climate change, and biodiversity loss. Mr. Waruinge also emphasized seizing opportunities from the BBNJ treaty, suggesting the Nairobi Convention as an implementing framework.
The 2023 WIO Science to Policy Forum captured significant strides taken towards bridging the science and policy gap, and served as a demonstration of how science and policy come together to improve ocean governance in the Western Indian Ocean.
