Key Engagements
Catalyzing Community-Led Ocean Action: A Learning Exchange for Local Leaders in the Western Indian Ocean.
On the day before OOC11, Rare and Coastal 500 convened more than 30 local government representatives, community leaders, and partners from across the Western Indian Ocean region for a peer-learning exchange focused on community-led ocean action. The gathering highlighted successful local approaches to ocean protection, sustainable fisheries, and resilient livelihoods, while providing space for participants to share challenges, lessons learned, and opportunities for collaboration. Grounded in practical experience, the exchange reinforced the value of local leadership in driving effective and lasting ocean conservation outcomes; including Ms. Jubeta Mamudo Namaneque sharing details about how the network, partnerships, and peer learning have strengthened local leadership and advanced conservation efforts in her community. The exchange generated opportunities for new partnerships and laid the groundwork for expanding the Coastal 500 network throughout East Africa.
From Understanding to Application: Capacity Development for Effective Implementation of Marine 30x30
A new report from Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute (STRI) warns that 30x30 will not be successful unless there is investment in the adjacent systems. The report calls for a shift in how conservation is communicated — framing MPAs not as restrictions, but as a shared economic, cultural and environmental proposition tied directly to livelihoods, food security and long-term prosperity. At the report launch event, co-hosted by Rare, Mr. João Bento Zampula emphasized that conservation is everyone’s business; especially how investments platform communities to not just have a voice, but to take action, to improve marine conservation outcomes.
Coastal 500 members were also featured by Together for the Ocean, check out Mr. Zampula's interview here and Ms. Mamudo Namaneque interview here.
