Organized in partnership with IOC-UNESCO, Sweden, the African Union Commission, United Kingdom and Kenya, the event will look at the role of marine data to inform the competing needs of a broad range of ocean stakeholders. Participants will discuss activities, innovations and challenges, as well as technologies and monitoring systems and how improved data could inform the organization of the marine space to ensure a more sustainable use of ecosystems.

The event will discuss how seabed mapping and other marine data can support the future co-use or coexistence of blue economy activities such as renewable energy, resource extraction, food production and transport, and their potential co-location with different conservation approaches.

The event aims to raise awareness about the role of hydrography, seabed mapping and marine data for marine spatial planning.

Speakers:

• Dr Mathias Jonas, Secretary General, IHO: keynote address
• Dr Vladimir Ryabinin, Executive Secretary, IOC UNESCO
• Rear Admiral Rhett Hatcher, UK National Hydrographer, UK Hydrographic Office, United Kingdom
• Helen Ågren, Ambassador for the Ocean, Swedish Ministry for Foreign Affairs.
• H.E. Josefa Leonel Correia Sacko, Commissioner for Agriculture, Rural Development, Blue Economy and sustainable Environment (ARBE), African Union
• James Joliffe, Space and Oceans Unit, Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development, OECD
• Ms. Maxine Monsanto, Director of Blue Economy, Ministry of Blue Economy and Civil Aviation, Belize
• Dr. Philip Osano, SEI Africa Center Director: concluding remarks
• Dr Karina Barquet, Team Leader: Water, Coasts and Ocean, SEI: Co-Moderator
• Mr Sam Harper, Assistant Director, IHO: Co-Moderator