The Southeast Asian Fisheries Development Center (SEAFDEC) as an Executing Agency of the Bay of Bengal Large Marine Ecosystem Phase II (BOBLME II) Project, represented by Ms. Suwanee Sayan, Senior Project Planning and Management Officer concurrently the Hub Coordinator of the BOBLME II Project, participated in the 25th Annual Consultative Meeting on Large Marine Ecosystems and Coastal Partners (LME25), held from 7 to 9 July 2026 at UNESCO Headquarters in Paris, France. Convened under the theme “LME Partners Consultation: Progress and Future Directions,” the meeting brought together approximately 60 representatives from regional seas organizations, fisheries management organizations, international agencies, and non-governmental organizations to exchange knowledge and strengthen collaboration on ecosystem-based management of marine and coastal resources.
The consultation focused on developing the future strategic direction of the Large Marine Ecosystems (LME) Programme in response to emerging global priorities, including climate change, the Global Environment Facility’s ninth replenishment (GEF-9), and the implementation of the Agreement on the Conservation and Sustainable Use of Marine Biological Diversity of Areas Beyond National Jurisdiction (BBNJ Agreement). Participants also discussed practical approaches to strengthening regional ocean governance through institutional ownership, sustainable financing mechanisms, and enhanced collaboration to ensure the long-term sustainability of marine initiatives.
The meeting concluded on 9 July 2026 with the 2nd Data and Information Management (DIM) Workshop, where project managers and technical experts shared experiences on integrated ocean data management, advances in marine monitoring technologies, and the responsible use of artificial intelligence (AI) to support marine observation and informed decision-making. The workshop also emphasized the importance of strengthening data and information systems to improve ocean governance and the sustainable management of marine resources. Through the discussions and exchange of experiences, All BOBLME-II Executing Agencies i.e. Bay of Bengal Programme Inter-Governmental Organisation (BOBP-IGO), the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) and SEAFDEC, and all participating agencies reaffirmed their collective commitment to fostering regional cooperation, advancing sustainable fisheries and marine resource management, and contributing to the achievement of Sustainable Development Goal 14 (Life Below Water).
