IORA workshop on “Advancing Cooperation in Marine Science and Technology Innovation”

The IORA, represented by South Africa, one of the IORA Member States, is organizing a workshop on Advancing Cooperation in Marine Science and Technology Innovation for Ocean Sustainability and Biodiversity Conservation in the Indian Ocean Region . The meeting will focus on “ Fostering solidarity, equality, and sustainable development ” and will be held from 29-30 May 2025 at the University of Mpumalanga, Mbombela, Mpumalanga, South Africa.

While several IORA Member States are advanced in sustainable ocean management systems, others are not. Therefore, a one-day workshop will be convened for Member States, Dialogue Partners, and other organizations to establish an IORA marine science RDI research agenda with the following objectives :

• Share Knowledge and Research : Facilitate the exchange of knowledge, scientific findings, case studies, and best practices in marine science and ocean governance research and innovation activities.
• Create Awareness : Enhance understanding of ocean-related challenges faced by nations and address them through sustainable management strategies and policy guidelines.
• Foster Collaboration : Encourage networking and collaboration among participants to develop effective strategies and guidelines for building coastal resilience.

The envisaged outcomes of the workshop include :

The workshop aims to involve :

Funding for the workshop will be provided by South Africa, with an application to the Special Fund to cover up to fifty percent of the required funds.

The workshop will be hosted by South Africa in conjunction with the 4th Working Group for Science, Technology, and Innovation meeting.

The 4th Working Group for Science, Technology, and Innovation was established in 2020 to promote a common sustainable development agenda through knowledge sharing, capacity building, and fostering academic, scientific, and technological cooperation among Member States. It aims to create a platform for policymakers from IORA Member States responsible for science, technology, and innovation to implement activities aligned with the WGSTI Work Plan, facilitating cooperation and contributing to the success of the IORA Action Plan.

Member States, Dialogue Partners, the RCSTT, and the NAM S&T Centre will be invited to participate in both the workshop and the 4th WGSTI meeting, which will take place on the following day.

#J-18808-Ljbffr