The Comoros delegation, regional partners, and experts gathered to celebrate a major milestone in advancing Comoros’ blue economy and marine conservation.
The Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission of UNESCO, Sub-Commission for Africa and the Adjacent Island States (IOCAFRICA), marked a major milestone at the 13th WIOMSA Scientific Symposium with the launch of the Marine Spatial Planning (MSP) Roadmap for the Union of Comoros. The event was graced by the Comoros delegation, who joined partners and participants in celebrating this important achievement for the country’s blue economy vision.
Understanding Marine Spatial Planning and Its Importance
Marine Spatial Planning is an innovative approach to managing ocean space and resources in a way that balances ecological health, social well-being, and economic development. MSP involves organizing human activities—such as fishing, tourism, shipping, and conservation—across marine areas to minimize conflicts and maximize sustainable benefits.
The MSP Roadmap for Comoros provides the country with a step-by-step framework to develop its national marine spatial plan. This ensures that multiple sectors and stakeholders work collaboratively to achieve a shared vision for the sustainable use of marine spaces. The importance of MSP cannot be overstated; it helps protect fragile marine ecosystems while promoting economic opportunities that contribute to national development goals.
A Structured Guide to Marine Spatial Planning
This roadmap provides a comprehensive and structured guide for preparing a national marine spatial plan. It will help the Union of the Comoros define a shared vision for its blue economy by outlining concrete actions and establishing timelines to coordinate sustainable use of marine and coastal resources. It fosters collaboration among institutions, communities, and stakeholders, ensuring inclusive and integrated governance.
By establishing a clear framework for marine spatial planning, the roadmap aims to harmonize economic growth with environmental protection and social well-being. This reinforces IOCAFRICA’s commitment to evidence-based ocean governance and regional cooperation within the Western Indian Ocean region.
Collaborative Development and International Support
The roadmap was developed through a close partnership between the General Planning Commission (CGP) of Comoros, the Comoros National Commission for UNESCO, and the Faculty of Science and Technology (FST) at the University of Comoros, with support from the Swedish Agency for Marine and Water Management (SwAM). This collaboration reflects a global commitment to empower island nations in advancing ocean governance.
IOCAFRICA extends its appreciation to Mr. Zac Maritim, the lead author of the publication, whose dedicated work and technical leadership were instrumental in ensuring the report’s scientific rigor and practical relevance. His contribution has been vital to shaping the roadmap that is both evidence-based and actionable.
Next on the Horizon
Building on the successful launch, IOCAFRICA and its partners will now support the implementation phase of the MSP process in Comoros. The next steps include capacity-building workshops, stakeholder consultations, and pilot mapping exercises to translate the roadmap into an operational framework. These efforts will guide the identification of priority coastal and marine areas for management, strengthen cross-sectoral coordination, and ensure the roadmap’s alignment with national goals in blue economy growth, biodiversity conservation, and disaster preparedness.
Through continued technical assistance and collaboration, IOCAFRICA aims to help the Union of the Comoros transform the roadmap into a living tool, one that informs planning, empowers local institutions, and advances the country’s long-term vision for sustainable ocean governance.
Read the full report here: https://unesdoc.unesco.org/ark:/48223/pf0000395187