Validation Workshop on Marine Spatial Planning Technical Guidelines and Innovative Tools for the Northern Mozambique Channel Zanzibar

Validation Workshop on Marine Spatial Planning Technical Guidelines and Innovative Tools for the Northern Mozambique Channel Zanzibar, 07th to 11th April 2025.

ABSTRACT.

Marine Spatial Planning (MSP) is a very critical tool in an effort to drive sustainable ocean governance. As part of the MSP, development of the Digital Twin Ocean (DTO) technology for the Northern Mozambique Channel serves as a huge milestone in the blue economy sector. The main purpose of the workshop was to finalize and validate the MSP technical guidelines for the NMC region and identify the way forward on the MSP process for the NMC region and co-develop the Northern Mozambique Channel Digital Twin Prototype which was facilitated by UNEP-GEMS Ocean in collaboration with Breda University of Applied Science. This will enhance ocean understanding and sustainable management of marine ecosystems in the NMC region.

MAIN DESCRIPTION

A validation workshop on Marine Spatial Planning (MSP) Technical Guideline and Innovative Tool for the Northern Mozambique Channel (NMC) organized by the Nairobi Convention Secretariat and WWF was held in Zanzibar from 7th to 11th, April 2025. The workshop drew participants from five coastal countries within the NMC region including Mozambique, Comoros, the United Republic of Tanzania, Seychelles and Madagascar, as well as international partners. The key focus was to finalize and validate MSP technical guidelines and co-develop the Northern Mozambique Channel Digital Twin prototype (NMCDTp). Notably, the NMCDTp reflects other DTO initiatives around the world, i.e., The Caribbean Sea Digital Twin Prototype (CSDTp).

The development of the Northern Mozambique Channel Digital Twin of the Ocean (NMCDTO) was facilitated by Breda University of Applied Science (Buas) in collaboration with UNEP-GEMS Ocean. The Digital Twin of the Ocean (DTO) for the NMC seeks to improve ocean understanding, planning, and sustainable management of marine biodiversity within the region. During the workshop we co-designed the prototype using the MSP Challenge simulation platform, explored the DTO use cases and identified key actors and possible action to develop future NMCDTO. While the outcome seeks to guide national MSP processes, it also fosters regional collaboration for the sustainable governance of the region’s unique coastal and marine ecosystems. 

For More Information, please visit: Validation Workshop on Marine Spatial Planning Technical Guidelines and Innovative Tools for the Northern Mozambique Channel | Nairobi Convention

PARTNERS

· World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF)

· Nairobi Convention Secretariat (NCS)

· Breda University of Applied Science (Buas)

· Nelson Mandela University (NMU)

· Fonds Francais Pour L’Environment Mondial

· Office Francais De La Biodiversite

· Prime Africa Consultant