Marine Spatial Planning (MSP) is a public process of analyzing and allocating the spatial and temporal distribution of human activities in marine areas to achieve ecological, economic and social objectives that have been specified through a political process. MSP is not an end in itself but a practical way to create and establish a more rational use of marine space and the interactions among its uses, to balance demands for development with the need to protect the environment, and to deliver social and economic outcomes in an open and planned way.

With a view to implementing the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, and in particular the dedicated SDG 14, China Oceanic Development Foundation (CODF) set up a project in 2018 that aims to boost the development of blue economy through MSP. Since then, CODF has conducted the project in 18 countries, including Mozambique, Madagascar, Mauritius, Seychelles, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, Thailand, Cambodia, Malaysia, Indonesia, Timor-Leste, Papua New Guinea, Fiji, Antigua and Barbuda, Costa Rica, Guyana, and Panama. In 2019, CODF and the Pacific Islands Development Forum (PIDF) also concluded the Memorandum of Understanding on this project to assist the member countries of PIDF with their blue economy development.

With the theme of “Progressing Blue Economy through MSP: Opportunities for the Pacific”, this side-event will share the progress of CODF’s MSP Program in Small Island Developing States including the Republic of Fiji and invite relative government officials, scientists, entrepreneurs and stakeholders to discuss the comparative advantages of the South Pacific region as well as the investment plan, so as to sketch out a vision of MSP implementation and industrial layout in that region, attract entrepreneurs to participate in the compilation and implementation of MSP in the first place and promote their investment in PIDF member states.

1. Pacific Islands Development Forum
2. China Oceanic Development Foundation
3. WESTPAC-IOC-UNESCO

The side-event is expected to receive 70-100 people. Speakers include delegates from the main applicant and organizing partners, the representatives from the government, enterprises, scientific institutes, as well as international organizations will be invited to deliver speeches and comments, and other relevant parties will be invited to participate as appropriate.

1. Ms. Li Yan , +86 10 66518560, liyancodf@gmail.com
2. Ms. Arpana Pratap, +679 990 7896, arpana.pratap@pidf.int