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This research paper examines ecosystem-based adaptation (EbA) interventions in the Southern African Development Community (SADC) coastal region, focusing on how these projects can provide livelihood opportunities and be scaled. The authors identify an incremental, community-led model—starting with periodic fishery closures to meet immediate food needs before expanding to broader conservation—as a highly effective approach for achieving sustainable outcomes.

This policy brief outlines strategies to enhance the science-to-policy interface in the Western Indian Ocean region to improve the governance of marine and coastal systems. It identifies key barriers to policy uptake—such as mismatched timeframes and a lack of trust—and proposes moving toward 'dialogic science-policy networks' and co-produced knowledge. The document emphasizes the need for institutional reforms in research evaluation to reward policy impact over mere publication and suggests specific strategies for building trust and managing the 'boundary' between science and decision-making.

This briefing examines the challenges and opportunities for private sector partnerships aimed at achieving a sustainable Blue Economy in the Western Indian Ocean (WIO) region. It draws on the development of the Strategic Framework for Private Sector Partnership for the Western Indian Ocean Region, produced by the Nairobi Convention Secretariat, to argue that partnerships must move beyond viewing the private sector as a mere funding source and instead leverage technical expertise and mutual benefit to improve ocean governance.

This research paper by the South African Institute of International Affairs (SAIIA) examines the governance of marine and coastal resources in the Western Indian Ocean (WIO) region. It advocates for the adoption of integrated spatial planning, ecosystem-based management, and inclusive, community-led conservation models to support a sustainable 'Blue Economy'. The author emphasizes that marine conservation must be integrated with socio-economic development agendas to ensure the resilience of biodiversity and the livelihoods of coastal populations.

This policy brief evaluates the state of Maritime Domain Awareness (MDA) in the Western Indian Ocean, arguing that the region remains overly dependent on international naval forces. It suggests a strategic shift toward low-tech solutions, human intelligence, and better integration between maritime security and the blue economy to build sustainable, regionally-owned capabilities.

This briefing by the Institute for Security Studies examines the environmental risks associated with the Red Sea crisis, highlighting how military conflict and the rerouting of shipping traffic threaten marine ecosystems, increase carbon emissions, and jeopardize the food security of coastal populations in Africa.

This document is a book of abstracts from the Science and Research Symposium, a segment of the first-ever Global Sustainable Blue Economy Conference (SBEC) held in Nairobi, Kenya, from November 26th to 28th, 2018. It compiles nearly seventy abstracts submitted by global scholars and practitioners, focusing on the role of scientific research, technology, and innovation in harnessing the Blue Economy sustainably. The abstracts are organized into thematic areas including sustainable resource use, climate action resilience, global connectivity and transportation, and sustainable cities, with an additional focus on human resource capacity.