WIOMSA Julius Francis Executive Secretary WIOMSA The WIO

WIOMSA Julius Francis Executive Secretary, WIOMSA

The WIO

The Challenges? Absence of a common, regional vision - no mutual and agreed research and management priorities Absence of collaborative or joint research initiatives to overcome capacity & resource issues. Poor communication amongst scientists and between science and management organisations. Sharing of resources, information, experiences & capacity very limited. Limited interdisciplinary or multidisciplinary research. (biophysical, socioeconomic, governance)

The Challenges? Great need to transfer the knowledge generated into decision-making, demonstration, and behavioral change; The absence of a regional forum to promote regular interactions between scientists and decision-makers Limited science-based management and decisionmaking – capacity and credibility issues. An insufficient knowledge-base to meet decisionmaking needs.

The Motivation for a Regional Organization - WIOMSA Many of the challenges common across the WIO region – Opportunity for cost & resource sharing Potential to partner in problem solving Combined voice to managers and donors Many of the required processes & mechanisms optimally conducted at multiple scales including regional: Capacity building Awareness building & information dissemination Networking & partnership development Advocacy for science & research.

OUTPUTS STATUS OF SYSTEMS RESEARCH MASMA Programme: CONTEXT SUMMARISED SIGNIFICANT RESEARCH INADEQUATE RESEARCH BIOLOGICAL SYSTEM SOCIETAL SYSTEM KNOWLEDGE GENERATION INVESTIGATIONS NO RESEARCH “ DISSEMINATION SYSTEM” KNOWLEDGE TRANSFER APPLICATIONS RESEARCH QUESTION NEEDS TO BE FRAMED WITHIN A SOCIAL SCIENCE/MANAGEMENT CONTEXT LITTLE OR NO RESEARCH MANAGEMENT SYSTEM KNOWLEDGE USE

MASMA: A WIOMSA SCIENCE PROGRAM • A vehicle for addressing the interacting and complex issues efficiently; • A means of generating knowledge whilst building capacity; • The basis for developing collaborations & partnerships; • A mechanism to promote the relationship between science and management and improving decision-making processes • Provision of opportunities for upscaling and enhancing outcomes and impacts • Mobilizing more resources for the region

Focus on the interface of science and management/policy • • Inclusion of socioeconomic and governance research dimensions crucial for impact of science & utility for management; Important for regional scientists to clearly highlight the policy relevance & use of their science; Writing workshop is a useful mechanism for bringing together different disciplines Regular and sustained interactions are important for building trust and fostering effective dialogues with managers/policy makers

A credible and trusted organization • • • Not competing for resources/activities with national organizations Focus more on coordination than implementation Regular elections of Board members and country coordinators Formal/informal agreements with regional bodies such as NC, COI, IOC/UNESCO Sustaining memberships benefits Maintaining partners/funders’ trust

Latest initiaves … • SDGs provide a good framework for partnership building • Focus on 14. 2 and 14. 5 – Setting baselines – Recommend options to meet the targets • Setting science to policy for Nairobi Convention