10th Our Ocean Conference Side Event - Marine Spatial Planning for Growing Nature Capital: Advancing Blue Economy Co-location Solutions in E...

Marine Spatial Planning (MSP) is increasingly recognized as a key driver for achieving Sustainable Development Goal 14 and advancing the Blue Economy. Countries around the world are adopting MSP as a vital tool for sustainable ocean management.

A successful Blue Economy depends on multiple enabling factors working together—including integrated governance, stakeholder engagement, science, monitoring, financing, and climate adaptation. MSP complements these efforts by helping to organize human activities at sea, balancing economic, environmental, and social needs.

It promotes ecosystem-based management, reduces user conflicts, supports multi-use planning, fills knowledge gaps, and provides clarity for ocean users. MSP is also seen as a strategic approach to help meet the global “30 by 30” goal—protecting 30% of the ocean by 2030.

This event brings together the expertise of the Republic of Korea, the World Bank, and United Nations Environment Programme, Coordinating Body on the Seas of East Asia (UNEP COBSEA) in the Asia region. It highlights collaboration among the Korea Maritime Institute (KMI), the World Bank, and UNEP COBSEA. The discussion will focus on integrating MSP with the co-location of compatible ocean uses to ensure both ecological health and socio-economic benefits.