Marine conservation leaders, protected area practitioners, and regional partners gathered at the Radisson Blu in Maputo, Mozambique, on 19–20 October 2026 for the Western Indian Ocean Marine Protected Areas Network (WIOMPAN) Annual Meeting. Convened to chart the network’s trajectory through 2030, the two-day session established strategic regional priorities for the next two years and laid the groundwork for a unified Western Indian Ocean voice at international forums.
The meeting was officially opened by Joaquim Fernando, Deputy Director General of the Administração Nacional das Áreas de Conservação (ANAC). In his welcoming remarks, Fernando highlighted the importance of cross-border collaboration in safeguarding marine ecosystems. Alongside the plenary sessions, the gathering provided an ideal platform for bilateral discussions between the Western Indian Ocean Marine Science Association (WIOMSA) and ANAC, focusing on targeted capacity development to strengthen technical competencies and institutional readiness across Mozambique’s conservation workforce.
Facilitated by WIOMSA and regional experts including Global MPA network leader Puri Canals, participants evaluated national status snapshots to pinpoint common challenges, workforce needs, and management trends across member states. These insights guided the selection of priority actions for the 2027–2028 cycle, which will form the basis of WIOMPAN’s concise strategy heading into the 6th International Marine Protected Areas Congress (IMPAC6) in Dakar, Senegal, in March 2027.
A major technical focus was a dedicated session led by WildAid addressing marine law enforcement. Participants identified critical competency gaps and operational hurdles, outlining targeted compliance support for management agencies to integrate directly into the regional programme.
The meeting also celebrated the essential leadership driving the network on the ground. Certificates of appreciation were formally presented to the WIOMPAN Country Chapter Chairs, recognizing their voluntary service, dedication, and key role in mobilizing national conservation communities.
