MSP Regional Training Workshop for the East Asian Seas

The MSP Regional Training Workshop for the East Asian Seas will take place from 20–22 July 2026 in Bangkok, Thailand. The workshop is co-organized by IW:LEARN, MSPglobal, and the SCS-SAP Project, in collaboration with COBSEA and the UNESCO/IOC Sub-Commission for the Western Pacific (WESTPAC). It will be conducted as a three-day, in-person training.

The workshop will bring together representatives from GEF International Waters (IW) projects, national authorities, regional organizations, and academic institutions involved in marine spatial planning (MSP) and related initiatives. It aims to strengthen participants’ understanding of MSP concepts, processes, and practical implementation approaches, while enhancing awareness of national and regional MSP mechanisms and their linkages to global frameworks.

The training is structured into three main components:
(1) introduction to MSP fundamentals, tools, and resources, including interactive exercises such as the MSP Challenge simulation.
(2) exploration of how MSP connects to global and regional frameworks, including biodiversity conservation and climate-related commitments.
(3) practical application of MSP to support sustainable blue economy approaches, including integration into the Transboundary Diagnostic Analysis and Strategic Action Programme (TDA/SAP) process at the Large Marine Ecosystem (LME) scale.

This workshop is part of a broader series of MSP capacity-building activities under IW:LEARN and MSglobal. It plays an important role in advancing marine spatial planning across the East Asian Seas—one of the world’s most biodiverse and economically significant marine regions, facing increasing pressure from competing uses. By strengthening technical capacity, promoting knowledge exchange, and supporting ecosystem-based management, the training contributes to more coordinated, sustainable, and resilient ocean governance in the region.

Also accessible at: iwlearn.net