The Earth Observation for an Indian Ocean Blue Economy – Consultation Workshop was convened to develop a shared understanding of regional needs for satellite-derived information to support sustainable marine management. Held virtually from 23–25 November 2021, the workshop’s primary purpose was to identify the Earth Observation (EO) data needs of IORA Member States and explore collective cooperation to enhance regional capabilities.
Key objectives included identifying actors with significant EO capacity, determining areas of common interest, such as Marine Spatial Planning (MSP) and habitat mapping, and establishing a roadmap for a regional Plan of Action (PoA).
The event was facilitated by the Commonwealth Scientific Industrial Research Organisation (CSIRO) and supported by the Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT), the French Republic, and the IORA Secretariat. Participation was robust, featuring 87 delegates from 18 IORA Member States and multiple Dialogue Partners, including technical specialists and policy specialists. The three-day program featured thematic breakout sessions addressing seven critical areas: MSP, habitat mapping, coastal vulnerability, sustainable fisheries, marine litter, maritime accidents, and Areas Beyond National Jurisdiction (ABNJ).
Blue Economy activities were central to the discussions, with highlights including Tanzania's use of satellite products for Potential Fishing Zone (PFZ) services and India’s INCOIS mobile applications for coral bleaching alerts and storm surge forecasts. Participants also engaged in technical training for platforms like Digital Earth Africa and Google Earth Engine to improve spatial literacy and data processing skills.
Main outcomes included the recommendation to develop an IORA EO Plan of Action that is adaptive and modular rather than "one size fits all". The workshop advanced the regional agenda by identifying the need for standardized data protocols, improved ICT infrastructure for cloud computing, and a regional "community of practice" to share expertise. These efforts contributed to the Blue Economy work plan by establishing the technical and collaborative foundations necessary for Member States to utilize EO as an operational tool for sustainable development and maritime security.
