A Forum for Africa

The 2nd MSPforum for Africa took place from 5 to 6 November 2023 in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania. The event, organised by UNESCO-IOC and co-organised by the African Union, the Secretariat of the Nairobi Convention, the Secretariat of the Abidjan Convention and UNEP/MAP/RAC, aimed to exchange views on the progress made in implementing the blue economy and Marine Spatial Planning (MSP) in UNEP's three Regional Seas Programmes.

The meeting brought together around 60 participants from various African countries, including those of the Barcelona Convention.

The main themes were “MSP & Africa Blue Economy Strategies”, “Tools for MSP” and “MSP & Regional Seas”.

The Deputy Director of PAP/RAC represented the Barcelona Convention and presented the draft Conceptual Framework for the implementation of MSP in the Mediterranean and the MSP Workspace, which is an online checklist for land-sea interaction, ecosystem-based approach and climate adaptations.

The Forum found the Mediterranean experience very useful for work on MSP in African countries that have already taken significant steps, but it is important to encourage the implementation of MSP in the framework of the Barcelona Convention.
It is to be hoped that the decision on the Conceptual framework for Maritime Spatial Planning will be adopted at COP 23 in Portoroz .

Learn more:
https://msp.iczmplatform.org/