WIOMSA partnered with the Kenya Marine and Fisheries Research Institute, the Nairobi Convention, and UNESCO/IOC Sub-Commission for Africa & the Adjacent Island States (IOCAFRICA) to host the 13th WIOMSA Scientific Symposium in October 2025, which attracted over 1,200 delegates from 43 countries and 39 institutions. The symposium brought together regional scientists, practitioners, policymakers, community members, and sector actors, aiming to elevate local voices and foster equitable dialogue on ocean sustainability.
Moving beyond traditional top-down conferences, it emphasized the importance of locally grounded and regionally relevant science, encouraging collaboration among researchers, policymakers, and communities. The Blue Sessions Dialogue Series now documents key insights from the symposium’s keynote speakers and participants.
This insightful video features Prof. Shaukat Abdulrazak, Principal Secretary for Science, Research, and Innovation in Kenya, sharing perspectives on advancing Kenya’s Blue Economy. Drawing from his keynote at the symposium, titled “The Role of Science and Innovation in Building a Thriving and Inclusive Blue Economy for Africa,” Prof Abdulrazak emphasizes the importance of integrating science, technology, and innovation into governance frameworks through the quadruple helix approach—linking policy, academia, research, and society—and stresses the need to socialize science to meet societal needs. He underscores the transformative potential of digital tools like AI, IoT, and blockchain in fostering sustainable livelihoods, especially for youth and women along the Kenyan coast. The video also explores the social and cultural dimensions of the Blue Economy, the promise of blue carbon ecosystems like mangroves, and the critical role of community engagement in building a thriving, inclusive Blue Economy across Africa.
