IUCN’s Great Blue Wall Initiative at WIOMSA 2025: Leading the One Ocean Movement
Mombasa, Kenya – 28 September 2025 (IUCN) - At the 13th WIOMSA Scientific Symposium, the message is clear: Africa’s Ocean future demands bold, united action.
As the convener behind the Great Blue Wall (GBW), IUCN’s Eastern and Southern Africa Regional Office (ESARO) is not just participating, it is leading the One Ocean movement across the Western Indian Ocean. Together, IUCN ESARO and GBW embody a single vision: turning science into solutions, scaling up regenerative ocean economies, and empowering coastal communities as stewards of resilient seascapes. WIOMSA 2025 marks the next chapter in this transformative journey, positioning IUCN as the regional driver connecting policy, innovation, and people for Africa’s blue future.
“At IUCN Kenya, we are driving Kenya’s leadership in the One Ocean movement — turning science, communities, and policy into real action. Here in Mombasa, we are not just hosting conversations; we are shaping solutions. Through the Great Blue Wall, Kenya is helping build a regenerative blue economy, restore ecosystems, and empower coastal communities across the Western Indian Ocean. WIOMSA 2025 sends a clear message: Africa’s blue future will be defined by collaboration, innovation, and the choices we make together today,” opens Dr Elinasi Monga who is the interim IUCN Kenya Country Representative.
Thomas Sberna, Regional Head for Coastal and Ocean Resilience at IUCN ESARO, says, “We are shaping a future where Africa’s Ocean unites us all. Together with our partners, we are strengthening the Great Blue Wall — a regenerative movement that turns science into action, empowers coastal communities, and strengthens ocean resilience across borders. This is One Ocean, one shared legacy, and the choices we make today will determine whether it thrives for generations to come.”
Seagrass Status Report – Blue Forests at the Center
“Seagrasses are the foundation for Africa’s Ocean resilience and a flourishing blue economy. Across the Western Indian Ocean (WIO) region, through initiatives such as WIOCOR and ReSea, we are collaborating with coastal communities to catalyze transformational change and strengthen seagrass conservation. The launch of the Seagrass Status Report in Mombasa at the 13th WIOMSA Scientific Symposium is a pivotal moment, it brings together science and policy ambition and underscores our commitment to ensuring this critical ecosystem receives the recognition, protection and stewardship it urgently requires.This report also builds momentum for elevating seagrass conservation across the Western Indian Ocean region and contributes to global 2030 commitments.” says Denise Nicolau, Regional Manager for Coastal and Ocean Ecosystems IUCN ESARO.
WIO LMMA Alliance & OECMs – Communities Lead
“Our special session at this WIOMSA Symposium marks an important milestone, a historic moment where stakeholders come together to co-create and design a new movement: the Western Indian Ocean Locally Managed Marine Areas Alliance. This Alliance will shape the future of community-based marine management across the region,“ Vatosoa Rakotondrazafy, Regional Ocean Governance Manager says.
Zero Plastic Waste Islands – Local Solutions, Regional Impact
Peter Manyara, Regional Ocean Partnerships Manager and IslandPlas Project Manager at IUCN ESARO, says, “With global momentum on the plastics treaty stalled, it is more important than ever to keep plastic pollution high on the agenda — from global to national levels. Through IUCN’s IslandPlas project and the Sustainable Seas Trust, we are amplifying voices from across the Western Indian Ocean to showcase solutions and shape collective circular action on this pressing global challenge.”
Biodiversity Beyond National Jurisdiction (BBNJ) – Africa’s Voice for The Blue Beyond
Jeremy Raguain, BBNJ Senior Programme Officer IUCN ESARO says that The BBNJ Agreement, set to enter into force on January 17, 2025, represents a historic moment for ocean governance, capturing the spirit of 'One Ocean, One Future'. Half of the states in which WIOMSA members operate are parties to this Agreement, which aims to conserve and sustainably use areas beyond national jurisdiction.
This symposium presents our community with a crucial opportunity to prepare strategically for implementation. To help facilitate this, IUCN is honoured to partner with key organisations to host a dedicated “BBNJ Day” on October 3rd. As this is my first WIOMSA symposium, I look forward to both learning and sharing for our collective future, he adds.
About IUCN
IUCN is a membership Union uniquely composed of both government and civil society organisations. It provides public, private and non-governmental organisations with the knowledge and tools that enable human progress, economic development and nature conservation to take place together.
Created in 1948, IUCN is now the world’s largest and most diverse environmental network, harnessing the knowledge, resources and reach of more than 1,400 Member organisations and around 16,000 experts. It is a leading provider of conservation data, assessments and analysis. Its broad membership enables IUCN to fill the role of incubator and trusted repository of best practices, tools and international standards.
IUCN provides a neutral space in which diverse stakeholders including governments, NGOs, scientists, businesses, local communities, indigenous peoples’ organisations and others can work together to forge and implement solutions to environmental challenges and achieve sustainable development.
Working with many partners and supporters, IUCN implements a large and diverse portfolio of conservation projects worldwide. Combining the latest science with the traditional knowledge of local communities, these projects work to reverse habitat loss, restore ecosystems and improve people’s well-being.
About The Great Blue Wall Initiative
The Great Blue Wall initiative is establishing a first-of-its-kind connected network of seascapes to benefit people and nature. The initiative is helping to protect 30% of the ocean by 2030; achieve net gain of critical blue ecosystems by 2030 (e.g. mangroves, corals, seagrasses); develop a regenerative blue economy and create millions of jobs by supporting local communities through funding, training and technical assistance.
Seascapes will be connected by “The Great Blue Wall”: composed of conserved and restored ecosystems that shelter communities from the impacts of climate change and help biodiversity recover. Participating in the initiative will help countries meet commitments made under three international frameworks: the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change, the Convention on Biological Diversity, and the UN Sustainable Development Goals.
High-level representatives from the governments of Kenya, Mozambique, Tanzania, Seychelles, United States of America, France, Ireland, United Kingdom, Sweden and Portugal endorsed the initiative during its global launch. The UN and civil society organizations also expressed their support.
Media Contact:
Ghaamid Abdulbasat
Regional Ocean Communications Officer, IUCN ESARO
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