The WIOMPAN Green List Site Managers’ Workshop, held on May 14-17, 2024, in Antananarivo, Madagascar, marked a significant step forward in the Western Indian Ocean (WIO) region’s efforts to enhance Marine Protected and Conserved Areas (MP/CAs). Organized by IUCN and WIOMSA, together with the IUCN French Committee, Office français de la biodiversité (OFB), Expertise France, and others, the workshop brought together 21 site managers to address challenges in achieving Green List certification, a global standard for effective and equitable MPA management.
Currently, six MPAs in Madagascar are Green List candidates, with 13 additional MPAs and two Locally Managed Marine Areas expressing interest in the certification process. The workshop’s objectives included sharing self-assessment results, addressing common challenges, and developing actionable plans. Participants engaged in focus group discussions, a knowledge café session, and the drafting of action plans to address gaps identified during self-assessments.
Key issues highlighted included resource shortages, lack of information, and limited skills and experience. From these discussions, 130 actions were proposed, focusing on adaptive management, cultural value monitoring, climate change mitigation, and fundraising strategies. Notably, 13 sites were identified as potentially ready to formally engage in the Green Listing process, pending further refinements.
The workshop also tested tools like an adapted self-assessment template and a new action plan framework, which will be refined for broader application. Outcomes from the workshop will inform a roadmap toward achieving Green List certification, aligned with the WIO region’s 30×30 conservation targets under the Global Biodiversity Framework.
With continued support from partners and the integration of workshop findings into the WIOMPAN 30×30 Roadmap, the region is poised to strengthen its MPAs and MPCAs and demonstrate successful conservation outcomes.