The Blue Economy concept seeks to promote economic growth, social inclusion, and the preservation or improvement of livelihoods while at the same time ensuring environmental sustainability of the oceans and coastal areas.
At its core, it refers to the decoupling of socioeconomic development through oceans-related sectors and activities from environmental and ecosystems degradation. An important challenge of the Blue Economy is thus to realize that the sustainable management of ocean resources requires collaboration across nation-states and across the public-private sectors, at global scale (World Bank, 2017).
Our work on Blue Economy
Linked to its work on Marine Spatial Planning (MSP), the IOC promotes an approach to the Blue Economy based on the integration of economic, environmental and social concerns.
By promoting the establishment of MSP plans and creating an environment conducive to transnational cooperation through the development of international guidance for cross-border and transboundary MSP, the MSPglobal Initiative aims at improving planning of sustainable economic activities at sea.
The SPINCAM Project establishes an integrated coastal area management indicator framework at national and regional level in the countries of the Southeast Pacific region, addressing the state of the coastal and marine environment and socio-economic conditions. Indicators related to the Sustainable Blue Economy, with their corresponding methodology, data and sub-indicators, have been developed for the region.
Useful links:
MSPglobal Initiative
SPINCAM Project