Paris conference stresses marine spatial planning importance
The second international conference on marine spatial planning (MSP) has asserted that the good implementation of MPS will enable the development of blue and sustainable maritime space.
Paris (VNA) – The second internationalconference on marine spatial planning (MSP) has asserted that the good implementation of MSP will enable thedevelopment of blue and sustainable maritime space.
The March 15-17 event in Paris, France, hosted by UNESCO and theEuropean Commission (EC), brought together over 200 experts from countries, internationalorganisations and universities worldwide.
Participants reviewed the implementation of the MSP over the last decade sincethe first conference in 2006, and elaborated the reality of institutionsserving the planning of maritime space and priorities over the work in 2017-2027.
Working sessions dissected“World-wide status and trends ofMSP”, “Lessons learnt from countries”, “Engaging stakeholders in MSP”, “theconnection between MSP and global ocean governance goals”, “cross-bordercooperation in MSP”, “Good practices forscience-based MSP”, “MSP towards sustainable blue growth”, “Institutional capacitydevelopment for MSP”, “Ocean planning in areas beyond national jurisdictions”, and “Priorities for the next decade”.
Participants also raised difficulties facing countries in implementing theplanning of maritime space in recent time, challenges to the work in the coming time, and discussed how to create reliablecooperation mechanisms among countries in the scheme.
They highlighted the importance of the MSP inmanaging, exploiting and developing sea areas as well and the vital role playedby international and regional organizations, and countries in implementing theMSP.
Vietnamis among the countries leading in participating in UNESCO’s initiatives in planning maritimespace.
Atthe event, Vietnamese representatives shared the country’s experience in buildingand applying the MSP.
The MSP conference was expected to pave the wayfor the adoption of a road map by the Intergovernmental OceanographicCommission of UNESCO and the Directorate-General for Maritime Affairs and Fisheriesof the European Commission to encourage marine spatial planning in all seas andoceans of the globe. -VNA
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Illustrative image (Source: Internet) 
